Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
John A. Morgan, Jr.
Committee Member
Susan A. Torbenson
Committee Member
Richard C. Conrath
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
aerospace administration, aerospace education, aviation accreditation, Aviation Accreditation, career outcomes, comparative analysis, competitive universities, curriculum competencies, curriculum revision, employer surveys, faculty surveys, follow-up studies, graduate surveys, Indiana State University, industry standards, occupational skills, peer institutions, Professional Aviation Flight Technology, program accreditation, program evaluation, program improvement, program quality, publication, self-study, student enrollment decline, surveys, University Aviation Association, university programs
Abstract
In the Indiana State University (ISU) aerospace administration program, enrollment declined from 105 students, 30% of total enrollment in 1991, to 29, 14% in 2001. Continuation of this trend could lead to program elimination.
This study compared the ISU program with industry criteria, other universities’ programs, and survey results of ISU graduates, faculty, and employers. Recommendations were developed for program improvement to help decrease the enrollment decline.
Six research questions and 19 procedures were used. Appropriate literature, competitive university programs, and standards of the council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA) provided criteria on the elements of an excellent aerospace administration program. Instruments were developed and administered to graduates, faculty, and employers on curriculum competencies of the ISU aerospace administration program.
Results showed significant gaps. The ISU program fell far short of CAA standards and competitive universities’ programs. Graduates, faculty, and employers rated all competencies, many of which the program lacked, from moderate to considerable importance as part of an excellent aerospace administration program.
Recommendations for implementation and dissemination included (a) major revisions to the present program, (b) use of results for CAA self-study toward accreditation, (c) researcher’s presentation to ISU faculty, (d) study presentation at annual University Aviation Association conference, (e) publication of results in ISU’s major periodical, (f) publication in professional journals. Recommendations for further research included (a) comparative study of the surveyed graduates’ occupations with skills they most valued, (b) following curriculum revisions, follow-up study of recent graduates after 1 to 2 years’ employment, (c) replication with a broader range of employers, and (d) similar study of the department’s other degree program, Professional Aviation Flight Technology.