Assessment Details
Academic Year: 2019-2020 Level: Graduate
Campus Department: School of Theology & Ministry [Grad]
Program Type: Major [UG] / Program [Grad]
Program Name: Sacred Theology STD (Link)
Description of Data Collection:
The Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) is an ecclesiastical degree and, as such, is not civilly recognized and not granted by Boston College. Nevertheless, the STD is a component of the School of Theology & Ministry’s assessment cycle; data collected as part of the most recent review included admissions, current student placements and alumni placements. For example, placement information has helped to inform the STD’s ability to meet its learning outcome on teaching at the post-secondary level. In addition, direct assessment rubrics are completed by the faculty and collected at the comprehensive exam, pedagogical requirement, and dissertation defense.
Review Process:
The STD faculty program director coordinates a comprehensive program review every eight years, involving a committee comprised of faculty, students, and alumni. This committee interprets the evidence and makes recommendations for appropriate changes to the Ecclesiastical Faculty, which approves the suggested changes in program outcomes and requirements and sends them forward to the Board of Directors of the Ecclesiastical Faculty for final approval. Along the way, the STM faculty as a whole as well as the dean and the Educational Policy Committee are also consulted.
At the interim four-year mark, the program director coordinates a smaller program assessment, wherein the rubrics are collated and the summary evidence reviewed by a committee of 2-3 faculty. Small adjustments to program policies and procedures are often made at this point; larger issues are also considered, particularly those that need to be taken up at the next comprehensive program review.
Resulting Program Changes:
Review of assessment data has resulted in the implementation of the following recent changes:
1. Assessment evidence has helped inform the most ideal balance of doctoral students by discipline Area (e.g., ethics, Bible) and what the appropriate number of students is for each Area faculty member’s mentorship. Assessment data highlighted considerations around the majority of STD students’ international status, with many writing dissertations in languages that are not their first language. As a result, the student-faculty ratio has been adjusted so as to better align with the program’s learning outcomes.
2. Assessment evidence also noted some challenges as students progressed through to the end phases of the program and, as a result, requirements around, and the process for, comprehensive exams has been tightened up in each STD discipline Area.
Date of Most Recent Program Review:
Review of assessment data has resulted in the implementation of the following recent changes:
1. Assessment evidence has helped inform the most ideal balance of doctoral students by discipline Area (e.g., ethics, Bible) and what the appropriate number of students is for each Area faculty member’s mentorship. Assessment data highlighted considerations around the majority of STD students’ international status, with many writing dissertations in languages that are not their first language. As a result, the student-faculty ratio has been adjusted so as to better align with the program’s learning outcomes.
2. Assessment evidence also noted some challenges as students progressed through to the end phases of the program and, as a result, requirements around, and the process for, comprehensive exams has been tightened up in each STD discipline Area.
Attachments (if available)