Council of Ontario Universities

Ontario’s Graduate Programs Outcomes Survey

Presented to The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies

Julia Colyar

October 31, 2015

Ontario Graduate Programs Outcomes Survey

• Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities interest and investments

• Pilot steps• Context

Background

• High quality data• Alignment with MTCU priorities• Collaboration

Project Goals

• Survey development• Issues and Concerns• Next steps

Process

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Background●MTCU Ontario University Graduate Survey

(undergraduate)

●Pilot project at Western University

●Context: Graduate expansion, increasing enrolments, differentiation, and Strategic Mandate Agreements

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Project Goals●High quality data on student outcomes.▫ Focus beyond labour market outcomes▫ To include continuing education and professional

development, as well as quality and impact of graduate studies

●Alignment with MTCU initiatives (including the Ontario University Graduate Survey).

●Collaborative opportunity between MTCU and Ontario Universities.

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Development Process▫Council of Ontario Universities Task

Group on an Outcomes Survey of Graduate Students Established by Ontario Council of

Academic Vice Presidents Group membership: Representatives from

Council of Universities Planning and Analysis, Ontario Council on Graduate Studies, and COU

▫ Instrument Development

▫ Proposed Administration

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Survey Outline●Initial validation●General satisfaction●Career information▫Current employment▫Career pathways

●Quality and impact of graduate studies●Overall experience

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Sample Questions●General Satisfaction and Motivation ▫What was your primary reason for enrolling in your

[program] program at [university]?▫Would you recommend your [degree] program

in[program] to someone interested in the field?

●Career pathways▫ Since completing your first bachelor’s degree, what

other education did you pursue, including [program] program at [university]?   

 

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Sample questions, continued●Career pathways:▫How important were the following aspects of your

graduate education in preparing you for a potential career? engaging in interdisciplinary projects, opportunities

and/or learning experiences engaging in professional development opportunities

offered by the university

●Overall experience:▫What would you recommend to improve your

graduate studies and better prepare graduates?

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Ongoing issues●Intellectual Property and survey use

●Methodology▫Use of occupational codes▫ Timing of pilot survey

●Data reporting

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For continued discussion●Interpretation(s) of results

●Policy development

●Future administration(s)

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Julia ColyarSenior Policy Analyst

Council of Ontario UniversitiesPhone: 416-979-2165 extension 207

E-mail: jcolyar@cou.on.ca

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