Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Gail Johnson
Keywords
academic program review, Camden County College, certificate programs, gap analysis, internship completion, outcome-based evaluation, personal training, program evaluation, program objectives, program revision, student graduation, student outcomes, student satisfaction, summative committee, survey research
Abstract
The success of programs at Camden County College is determined using an outcome-based evaluation process. Revisions were made to the Personal Training Certificate program over 18 months ago and no evaluation had been performed since that time.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the revised certificate program to determine if the revisions have resulted in achieving program objectives. There was one research question: Have the revisions made to the certificate program resulted in the attainment of the program objectives as described in the Camden County College Academic Program Review document?
The evaluation was performed based on a review of literature, and goals, objectives, and outcomes set forth for academic and career programs previously established by the college. Using formative and summative committees to assist in the process, specific target outcomes were established, data was gathered, collated, and a gap analysis was performed. A final report summarizing the evaluation was written and submitted to the college administration.
Results illustrated that six out of nine target outcomes were achieved. Gaps existed in the outcomes pertaining to internship completion, percentage of students graduating, and graduating students rating the program as excellent.
It was concluded from the evaluation that the revisions made to the certificate program did not result in the attainment of all the program objectives. Recommendations from the study included performing further research to study why students are not graduating within the identified time frame, student responses regarding the phone survey, and why students did not complete the internship. In addition, it was recommended that a program evaluation be performed annually.