Describes Missouri Southern State College's assessment of its study abroad program as an example of how one institution has attempted to trace the effects that the program has had on student. (EV)

Controversies and problems plaguing Nova University and especially its off-campus colleges, which grant diplomas in 23 states, are examined. Criticisms include claims that masters and doctoral degrees are handed out too readily, admission policies are ill defined, and instructors are not qualified. Nova's severe financial difficulty is also…

A discussion of the National Research Council's 1995 ranking of research-doctorate programs in the United States criticizes the report for what it does not address, particularly comparisons with the information it disseminated in a 1982 report, some data discrepancies, and central issues such as an institution's available methods of instruction,…

The complex assessment movement in higher education is examined from the perspectives of how it is being implemented on four university campuses (University of Virginia, University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and King's College, Pennsylvania) and what its prospects are for a lasting effect on undergraduate study. (MSE)

Discusses, in the context of the National Research Council's next study of research-doctorate programs, arguments over continuing use of reputational surveys as the primary measure of program quality, as opposed to more objective measures of research performance. Eleven tables rank institutions for specific fields by reputation, citation density,…

The Higher Education Cable Council (HECC) and Warner Cable Corporation offer courses on QUBE, the two-way cable television system, but the HECC colleges rely on videotapes rather than QUBE's interactive capacity. High costs, low registration, and other problems faced by the council are discussed. (JMD)

Examines criticism of the National Research Council's 1995 report, "Research Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change," which ranks university departments across institutions based on peer ratings. It is argued that the criticisms are not based on the content or design of the study, but reflect general concerns…

The history of and issues in Oregon's retrenchment in higher education (resulting from voter-imposed taxing restrictions) are chronicled. Changes made at Portland State University are used to illustrate the program review and termination process occurring statewide. The higher education community's response, faculty and staff morale, and…

The Study Abroad Evaluation Project is designed to examine international study and student exchange programs within Europe and between Europe and the United States to identify the most effective program characteristics. Focus is on institutional impact, student attitudes, academic performance, and employment goals and opportunities. (MSE)

Using the 1995 National Research Council ratings of doctoral programs in 41 fields, a statistical methodology is offered for assessing how measures of program size, faculty seniority, faculty research productivity, and faculty productivity in producing doctoral degrees influenced raters' decisions. Then using data for one field, economics,…

Using his experience with rankings of Master's degree programs in public affairs, one public administration professor provides lessons for those in other disciplines who are about to be ranked, explaining what he learned from being ranked and how to improve the process. A sidebar presents U.S. News & World Report rankings in Master's Degree…

Accreditation of specialized college programs would be improved by increasing communication and specific reform agendas; longer intervals between comprehensive self-studies; improved site-visit and accreditation-decision teams; greater consistency; opportunities to form new accrediting agencies; easing documentation burdens; measuring quality by…

The full data set on which the "U.S. News and World Report" rankings of doctoral programs were based is presented and discussed. Rankings are for economics, English, history, political science, psychology, and sociology programs. Discussion addresses the methodology used and makes comparisons with National Academy of Sciences 1982…

Ten higher education professionals and one college senior comment on the "U.S. News and World Report" rankings of doctoral programs in six liberal arts disciplines. The authors' response to one set of comments and the comments of an executive editor from the magazine are also included. (MSE)

The practice of awarding honorary degrees by American colleges and universities is examined. Topics include the background of the practice, schools that refuse to participate, the selection process used by some institutions, possible financial and other reasons for granting honorary degrees, and benefits gained by those honored. (JMD)