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Academic Assessment Program	Economics & Finance
University of Central Arkansas

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BBA in Economics
BS in Economics
BBA in Finance
BBA in Insurance and Risk Management: under development
BBA in International Trade
BA in International Trade
Departmental Honors in Economics, Finance, and International Trade

Statement of Departmental Purpose
Economic and financial competence require a basic knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques of analysis. Added to this basic knowledge should be the historical, institutional, and quantitative approaches within the disciplines. With these tools, supplemented by studies in related fields of mathematics, computer science, accounting, and social sciences, students will be able to formulate approaches to current economic and financial problems as they arise in their personal and professional lives. The degree programs in finance prepare students for careers in financial institutions and in finance-related occupations in business and government. The degree programs in economics prepared students to enter professional careers as economic analysts in governmental and business organizations. The degree programs in international trade prepare students for positive participation in global business and society. The programs in economics and finance also provide an excellent background for graduate study in economics, business, health care administration, public administration, or law.

Statement of Departmental Purpose

Economic and financial competence require a basic knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques of analysis. Added to this basic knowledge should be the historical, institutional, and quantitative approaches within the disciplines. With these tools, supplemented by studies in related fields of mathematics, computer science, accounting, and social sciences, students will be able to formulate approaches to current economic and financial problems as they arise in their personal and professional lives. The degree programs in finance prepare students for careers in financial institutions and in finance-related occupations in business and government. The degree programs in economics prepared students to enter professional careers as economic analysts in governmental and business organizations. The degree programs in international trade prepare students for positive participation in global business and society. The programs in economics and finance also provide an excellent background for graduate study in economics, business, health care administration, public administration, or law.

BBA in Economics

Most recent assessment report: October 1996

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Economics will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.	1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in Economics will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results. 1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of Economics I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."
2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of Economics.	2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation. 2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer. 2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.
3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.	3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position." 3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the Economics program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Economics will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.

1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in Economics will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.

1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of Economics I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."

2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of Economics.

2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation.

2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer.

2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.

3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.

3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position."

3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the Economics program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

BS in Economics

Most recent assessment report: October 1996

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students completing the Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics will compare favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.	1. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Economics during the semester prior to their graduation, and the average score of graduates in Economics will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.
2. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree who wish to attend graduate school in Economics will be well prepared to do graduate work.	2a. Eighty percent of those making application to graduate school will be accepted within two years. 2b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of departmental graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement, "I am well prepared for graduate school."
3. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree who seek employment will find their training in Economics to be useful to them in their career.	3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position." 3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the BS Economics program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students completing the Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics will compare favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.

1. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Economics during the semester prior to their graduation, and the average score of graduates in Economics will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.

2. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree who wish to attend graduate school in Economics will be well prepared to do graduate work.

2a. Eighty percent of those making application to graduate school will be accepted within two years.

2b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of departmental graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement, "I am well prepared for graduate school."

3. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree who seek employment will find their training in Economics to be useful to them in their career.

3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position."

3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the BS Economics program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

BBA in Finance

Most recent assessment report: October 1996

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Economics/Finance will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.	1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in Finance will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results. 1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of Finance I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."
2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of Economics/Finance.	2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation. 2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer. 2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.
3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.	3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position." 3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the Finance program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Economics/Finance will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.

1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in Finance will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.

1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of Finance I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."

2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of Economics/Finance.

2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation.

2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer.

2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.

3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.

3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position."

3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the Finance program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

BBA in International Trade

Most recent assessment report: October 1996

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.	1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in International Trade will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results. 1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of International Trade I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."
2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of International Trade.	2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation. 2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer. 2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.
3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.	3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position." 3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the International Trade program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will compare very favorably with those students completing a similar program nationally.

1a. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Business during the semester prior to their graduation and the average score of graduates in International Trade will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.

1b. Eighty percent of the respondents to a survey of business graduates one year after graduation will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "In the field of International Trade I feel as well prepared as the majority of individuals nationwide who have completed a similar degree during the past year."

2. Baccalaureate graduates will find ready employment in the field of International Trade.

2a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration (CBA) graduate survey will report having received a job offer within three months of graduation.

2b. Eighty percent of respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are currently employed or have accepted a job offer.

2c. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will indicate that they are employed in positions "directly related" to their career choices.

3. Students completing the baccalaureate will be well prepared for their first position.

3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the CBA graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position."

3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the International Trade program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

BA in International Trade

Most recent assessment report: October 1996

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will compare favorably with students completing a similar program nationally.	1. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Economics during the semester prior to their graduation, and the average score of graduates will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.
2. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will develop an understanding of the social, political, and historical aspects of various cultures, and be able to explain the relevance of culture to international trade.	2. Students will present a portfolio of projects and papers which best illustrate the integration of their knowledge in the various disciplines that make up this interdisciplinary major to a committee of faculty. Eighty percent of student portfolios will be evaluated with a grade of "C" or better.
3. Students completing the baccalaureate degree in International Trade will find this degree program useful to them in their career.	3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position." 3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the BA International Trade program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will compare favorably with students completing a similar program nationally.

1. Graduating seniors will take the Major Field Achievement Test in Economics during the semester prior to their graduation, and the average score of graduates will be at or near the 50th percentile compared to national results.

2. Students completing the baccalaureate program in International Trade will develop an understanding of the social, political, and historical aspects of various cultures, and be able to explain the relevance of culture to international trade.

2. Students will present a portfolio of projects and papers which best illustrate the integration of their knowledge in the various disciplines that make up this interdisciplinary major to a committee of faculty. Eighty percent of student portfolios will be evaluated with a grade of "C" or better.

3. Students completing the baccalaureate degree in International Trade will find this degree program useful to them in their career.

3a. Eighty percent of the respondents to the College of Business Administration graduate survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "I am well prepared for my first position."

3b. Eighty percent of the employers of graduates from the BA International Trade program responding to a survey, developed by the College of Business Administration, one year after employing the graduates will "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: "Employee's academic program prepared him/her well for his/her position."

Departmental Honors: Economics, Finance, International Trade

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Prospective honors graduates will have demonstrated exceptional ability and prospects in their major.	1. The student will have completed a minimum number of hours overall and a minimum number of hours in their major at a specified grade point average. The hours and GPA are specified in the undergraduate bulletin under which the student intends to graduate.
2. Honors graduates will have demonstrated the ability to pursue their major in depth by means of an independent study in collaboration with a member of the departmental faculty.	2. A grade will be assigned in a three hour undergraduate course supportive of the honors expectation. To qualify for departmental honors, the student must attain a grade of at least "B."
3. Honors graduates will have produced a high quality paper on the topic of the independent study.	3. The departmental honors director, in consultation with the proctoring faculty member, will accept the paper as meeting part of the requirement for graduation with honors.

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