ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Part I	CAO Recommendation

Continue    Modify    Eliminate	

Institution:	Degree Designation as on Diploma:	
Western Kentucky University (00200200)	Certificate	
Program Name:	CIP Code:	
International Student Services	131199	
WKU Program Reference Number:	Program Type (collaborative, joint, single):	
0415	Single Institution	
Program Coordinator:	Program Implementation Date:	
Aaron W. Hughey		
Department Head:	Submission Date:	
Jill Sauerheber	March 1, 2017	

A. Centrality to the Institutional Mission and Consistency with State Goals (not to exceed current page)	
A.1 How has the program contributed to WKU’s mission?	
WKU Mission Statement: “Western Kentucky University (WKU) prepares students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged, and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society. The University provides research, service and lifelong learning opportunities for its students, faculty, and other constituents. WKU enriches the quality of life for those within its reach.” 
ISS Program Mission Statement: “College campuses have become increasingly internationalized in recent decades. International student populations have grown, study abroad has become a standard of the higher education landscape, and as a result, the student population has developed new needs. The Certificate in International Student Services offers graduate-level students preparation to manage educational exchange, lead campus internationalization, and provide international student services.”
The graduate certificate program in international student services is in direct alignment with WKU’s mission.	
A.2 How has the program contributed to the economic and social welfare goals of HB 1 as delineated in the statewide postsecondary education strategic agenda?	
The Kentucky Council of Postsecondary Education’s Big Goal: 58% with Degrees and Credentials by 2025. “The agenda advances an ambitious goal—to raise the percentage of Kentuckians with a high-quality postsecondary degree or certificate to 58 percent by the year 2025. Achieving this goal is critical if the Commonwealth hopes to accelerate job creation, grow the economy, and expand our tax base through the contributions of a more skilled, productive workforce. Additionally, high levels of educational attainment are correlated with better health; more informed, engaged citizens; and the kind of business and cultural endeavors that attract vibrant, creative and entrepreneurial people to the state.” 
This certificate program provides the skills needed for recruiting, retaining to graduation, and helping international students obtain jobs related to their majors after graduation. This contributes directly to the economic and social welfare of everyone in the Commonwealth, individually and collectively; i.e., Objective 1: “Improve the diversity and inclusiveness of Kentucky’s campuses through the statewide diversity planning process and related initiatives, and specifically Objective 1.1: “Increase cultural competence among students, staff and other postsecondary professionals so that everyone is welcomed, valued, supported, and accommodated.”	
A.3 How does the program align with the statewide postsecondary education strategic implementation plan?	
The Kentucky Council of Postsecondary Education’s Objective and Strategies: “Objective 9. Improve the career readiness and employability of postsecondary education graduates. Strategy 9.1. Make career development a state and institutional priority and a key strategy for student success. Improve career development through earlier advising efforts, clearly articulated career pathways, degree maps, tools that match skills to jobs and students with employers, and entrepreneurship training.” 

The graduate certificate program in international student services is in direct alignment with the statewide postsecondary education strategic implementation plan. Specifically, Objective 9.1: “Make career development a state and institutional priority and a key strategy for student success. Improve career development through earlier advising efforts, clearly articulated career pathways, degree maps, tools that match skills to jobs and students with employers, and entrepreneurship training.”

B. Program Quality (not to exceed two pages)	
B.1 Describe means of assessment of student learning outcomes at the program level over the review term.  Summarize results of these assessments as well as 'closing-the-loop' strategies undertaken to improve program quality.	
Student Evaluation completed by the on-site Internship Supervisor. All students in the ISS graduate certificate program are required to complete an Internship in a department or other unit dedicated to the provision of international services. Typically, this involves interacting with students from international countries and cultures. As such, students’ awareness of the global trends and issues that affect these students is heightened, which affects their ability to develop and implement programs and services that best meet their needs. Their performance in Internship is evaluated by a site supervisor who is specifically trained by the departmental faculty. Criterion: Ninety percent of the students completing the Internship experience receive a rating of 80% or higher on the objective section of the Student Evaluation completed by their on-site supervisors; this equates to an average score of “4” on the 5-point scale for the 15 items. Target: 90 percent of the students achieve the stated criterion. Result: 85 percent of students achieved the criterion. Analysis: The fact that a majority of students participating in the experience received a rating of 80% or higher on the objective section of the Student Evaluation completed by their on-site supervisors indicates that they have mastered the specific skills identified as being relevant to success in jobs involving the delivery of international student services. It was noted that two items, “Budgeting Skills,” and “Time Management Skills” had an average rating of 3.5 across all students completing Internship. In order to work effectively with international students; i.e., in order to develop effective programs and services and implement them in a manner that best serves their needs as well as the needs of the institution, a functional understanding of budgeting and time management is considered essential. These considerations are especially relevant when working with international students as there are definitive cultural differences in how finances and time are viewed by students from other countries. Through analysis of these student evaluations, the instructor became aware of the bias toward Western conceptualizations of money and time that tends to permeate the educational process in subtle yet concrete ways. Being “competent” at budgeting and time management can have different connotations that tend to be culture-specific. This insight needs to be infused into the instructional process.
More emphasis needs to be given to these dimensions as requirements are developed for the required courses associated with the certificate program; CNS 571 (Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education) in particular.	
B.2 Describe any external awards or other recognition of students, faculty, and/or program over the review period.	
N/A	
B.3 Provide data on actual time and credits to degree of graduates, including general education and supporting coursework.	
	Note: This is a 15-hour graduate certificate program, which is often completed in addition to the master’s degree program in student affairs. Not sure how the following statistics were derived.		
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Average actual time to degree (Years/N):	3.51 (N=2)	2.67 (N=2)	3.56 (N=3)				
	Average actual credits to degree (Credits/N):	38 (N=3)	36 (N=5)	65 (N=4)	36 (N=2)	28 (N=3)		
			
B.4a Document constituents’ satisfaction with the program, through (a) employers’ satisfaction with program graduates	
Employers of program graduates were surveyed in 2015 as to their satisfaction with the program. Fifteen surveys were administered; 8 usable responses were received (53% response rate). Respondents indicated they had a favorable rating for the knowledge and skills exhibited by graduates. (Average rating of 4.21 on a 5-point scale). Item: “The graduate of the certificate program in international student services has a working knowledge of the issues and concerns exhibited by international students and can formulate realistic options for addressing those issues and concerns.” The next survey is scheduled for Spring 2018.	
B.4b Document constituents’ satisfaction with the program, through (b) graduates’/alumni satisfaction with the program.	
Graduates of the certificate program in international student services were surveyed in 2015 as to their satisfaction with the program. Twenty surveys were administered; 15 usable responses were received (75% response rate). Graduates indicated they had a favorable rating of the knowledge and skills they acquired through the program. (Average rating of 4.21 on a 5-point scale). Item: “The certificate program in international student services enhanced my knowledge of the issues and concerns exhibited by international students and helped me to formulate realistic options for addressing those issues and concerns.” The next survey is schedule for Spring 2018.	

B.5 Provide information the success of program graduates one year after graduation.	
			
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Number of graduating students who sought employment:	3	5	4	2	3		
	Percentage of students who sought employment:	100	100	100	100	100		
	Number of graduating students who gained employment:	3	5	4	2	3		
	Percentage of students who gained employment:	100	100	100	100	100		
	Note: Most of the students in the certificate program already had jobs; this was simply an added credential.		
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Type of Job	Percentage of students employed in that type.		
	International Student Affairs	33	20	50	100	66		
	Study Abroad Office	33	60	50	0	33		
	Other	33	20	0	0	0		
			
	Percentage of students finding employment in the area of geographic responsibility:	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A		
	Percentage of students finding employment in Kentucky:	33	20	50	50	33		
	Percentage of students finding employment outside of Kentucky:	66	80	50	50	66		

B.6 If program leads to licensure or certification, provide data on students’ pass rates on relevant exam(s).	
	There is no licensure or certification related to the program.”		
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Exam Name	Pass rate		

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C. Program Demand/Unnecessary Duplication (not to exceed current page)	
C.1 Provide data on student enrollment and number of graduates at the program level over the review period (includes unduplicated AY headcount--summer, fall, and spring).	
			
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Number of enrollments:	19	14	10	11	13		
	Number of graduates:	5	4	5	4	3		
	Credit Hour Production	513	351	342	423	417		
	This certificate program is unique; it is the only one of its kind in the nation. There are several certificate programs focused on international education, study abroad, etc. This is the only one focused on the provision of international student services.		
C.2 Are there similar programs at other public institutions in the state?	Yes		No		
					
C.2a If yes, explain how the curriculum of this program is different from existing programs at other institutions or that access to these programs is limited at the other institution.	
This certificate program is unique; i.e., there are no other graduate certificate programs offered anywhere (locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally) with a specific focus on the development and delivery of student services with an international population. There are several programs that focus on international education or some aspects of study abroad, etc., but we are the only one with this particular focus.	
C.2b If yes, describe specific collaborative opportunities your program is pursuing, or can pursue, with these existing programs.  In your explanation, describe how the collaboration will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of each program.	
Again, this certificate program is unique; i.e., there are no other graduate certificate programs offered anywhere (locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally) with a specific focus on the development and delivery of student services with an international population. There are several programs that focus on international education or some aspects of study abroad, etc., but we are the only one with this particular focus.	

D. Cost and Funding (not to exceed current page)	
D.1 Provide data on program student credit hour production by instructional FTE faculty over the review period, based on minimum program hours required.  In the case that faculty participate in more than one program, include only the FTE allocated to the program under review.	
			
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Minimum program hours required:	15	15	15	15	15		
	Number of graduates (from C.1):	3	5	4	2	3		
	Program SCHP:	513	351	342	423	417		
	FTE faculty:	1.8	1.5	2	2.3	2.3		
	Program SCHP/FTEF per year as (Min. Hours x Graduates)/FTEF:	285	234	171	184	181		
			
D.2 Indicate the level of extramural funding attracted by program faculty over the review period.	
	The program has not received any external funding during the review period.		
	Academic Year:	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16		
	Funding source and level:							
	Funding source and level:							
	Funding source and level:							
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E. Analysis of Program Status and Potential (not to exceed current page)	
E.1 What do you see as particular strengths of the program, and why?	
The certificate program in International student services is the only one of its kind in the nation and is regularly enrolls students from a variety of institutions both nationally and internationally. 	
E.2 What are perceived to be weaknesses in the program, either by you or by others (external evaluators, accreditors, etc.)?	
The program is completely online, which can be a limiting factor in teaching some of the content and skills covered in the certificate. As the technology becomes more user-friendly, however, this will be less of a concern. However, it is also a strength in that students can enroll in the program from anywhere in the world (as long as they have access to the internet). 	
E.3 Where do you see opportunities for growth and/or improvement in the program in the near term?  What would be required to realize these opportunities?	
Enrollments could be significantly enhanced if more resources were put into marketing it to a wider audience. The program has a great reputation within the student affairs profession, but it more information about it needs to be disseminated. We are working with the Division of Extended Learning to develop new promotional materials (they have already provided us with brochures and cards that we distribute at conferences and professional meetings). We also plan to market more extensively through social media (by developing a Facebook page specifically for the program, inclusion in online directories of related certificate programs, for example) and we plan to make more focused use of listservs and other electronic means of advertising the program. At this point (the program has been in existence for a decade) word-of-mouth also serves as an effective marketing technique; many of our current enrollments are referrals from previous students who completed the program.	
E.4 What (if any) are potential threats to program viability or quality in the future?  What needs to be addressed in the near term to mitigate these threats?	
If another institution were to develop a similar program, this would create competition for students. This has not happened in the 10 years that the program has been in existence. 	

F. Response to Previous Academic Program Review and Goals for the Future (not to exceed current page)	
F.1 What was the recommendation put forward by the APR Committee during the last review of the program.  What issues (if any) were raised by the APR Committee at that time? In what ways have the program, department, college and/or university addressed these issues?	
Maintain. 	
F.2 List the goals for continued program improvement over the next six years (prior to the next program review).  What implementation steps will need to occur for these goals to be met?	
			
	Goals:	Implementation Steps:		
	1.
	Enhance marketing for the program.	Consult with the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach concerning opportunities to advertise the program more extensively to a national and international pool of qualified potential students. As noted previously, we are working with the Division of Extended Learning to develop new avenues for advertising the program. They have already provided us with brochures and cards that we distribute at conferences and professional meetings. We would like to partner with them on the development of more electronically-based strategies for marketing the program (social media, websites, listservs, etc.).		

IMPORTANT: 

The bottom line is that this certificate program provides valuable knowledge and skills (and a credential) for students who are interested in working more effectively with international students. All the coursework is already available through the master’s degree program in student affairs; i.e., it requires no additional resources beyond those needed for the master’s degree program (the courses are already offered as part of that program) and it generates enrollments during the Fall and Spring Semesters as well as during the Winter and Summer Terms. It also serves as a ‘feeder’ program for the master’s degree as many students who pursue the graduate certificate in international student services eventually apply to the master’s program. Students are happy with the education they receive through this program, as are their employers. Finally, it is in perfect alignment with the institutional identity as a ‘Leading American University with International Reach.’
COURSE	
CNS 555	
CNS 571	
CNS 572	
CNS 574	
CNS 578	
CNS 579	
CNS 581	
CNS 595	
CNS 670	
GWS 555	

Name (ID)	Credit Hrs
in Program	Program SCHP	FTEF =
Credit Hrs/
18(GR) 21(UG)
(typical 4/3 load)	
Full-Time, Tenure Eligible, Terminal Degree	
Branham, Kristi (800532302)	3	42	0.2	
Bratton, Imelda (800799304)	9	21	0.5	
Burke, Monica (800021602)	3	39	0.2	
Dye, Lacretia (800799130)	6	75	0.3	
Hughey, Aaron (800018601)	12	162	0.7	
Part-Time (or Full-Time Staff/PT Faculty), No Terminal Degree	
McCaslin, James (800019458)	3	27	0.2	
Robinson-Wright, Ursula (800781302)	6	51	0.3