Academic Excellence Goals for the University of Vermont Goal 8: Increase enrollments in graduate and professional programs A Presentation to the Educational Policy and Institutional Resources Committee David V. Rosowsky, Provost and Senior Vice President Cindy Forehand, Dean of the Graduate College May 15, 2015

1. Increase the percentage of undergraduate students graduating in four years 2. Improve undergraduate student retention, years Improve student advising, both academic and pre-professional/career 4. Increase interdisciplinary teaching, research and scholarship 5. Expand programmatic offerings to include distance and hybrid modes of instructional delivery 6. Increase research and scholarship in areas that generate high impact, recognition and visibility 7. Increase domestic diversity and grow international student enrollments across the University 8. Increase enrollments in graduate and professional programs The Academic Excellence Goals

Objectives Describe taxonomy of graduate degrees Describe landscape of UVM graduate programs Discuss why UVM should increase its graduate population Discuss how UVM can increase its graduate population

Considering the Options

Professional or Research Intensive Professional degrees prepare the graduate to practice a specific profession Research intensive degrees prepare the graduate to create new knowledge – More flexible in training and career opportunities – Doctoral level students typically supported by assistantships Either can be at the masters or doctoral level, reflecting different degrees of training and/or independence

UVM Graduate Degree Programs Masters programs – Thesis-based – Project-based – Course-based – Professional Masters – Online Masters – Accelerated Masters Programs – early graduate program entrance and double counting 6-9 credits for UVM undergraduate students Doctoral programs – Dissertation-based – Practice-based professional programs

Graduate Student Roles Student Scholar Teacher Mentor Professional Ambassador Creator of new knowledge And Key to Faculty Success!

UVM Graduate Enrollment Distribution

Key component of President's Strategic Action Plan and Provost's Academic Excellence Goals Enhance intellectual vibrancy (good mix at research universities is 3-4:1 UG/G; UVM is 5.4:1 including MD, 7.2:1 without MD) Enhance UVM reputation in research and scholarship Enhance faculty productivity Increase community of graduate (and postdoctoral) students Provide role models and mentors for undergraduates Meet student need Vermont workforce development (64% of master’s students are Vermont residents) Increase revenue Growing UVM’s Graduate Population - Why?

2012. Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal Workforce Development, Economic Growth & Student Need

Goal for May 2020: Increase the graduate student population by 400 students, 140 of whom are international 30% growth in graduate student number Percentage of international graduate students increases from 10% to 15% Brings UG/G to 5.5:1 (or 4.4:1 with MD students included) Realizing the goal Increase international enrollment Increase accelerated masters options and recruitment Increase capacity in existing programs – IBB provides the opportunity Develop new high quality programs consistent with UVM vision and mission and that meet student need – IBB provides the opportunity Enhance recruitment and student support Growing UVM’s Graduate Population - How?

Percent Change in International Applications From 2013 to 2104 by Geographic Region Change in International Enrollments from 2013 to 2014 UVM -5% National 8% Average Annual % Change in international enrollments from UVM 1% National 2.9% Increase International Enrollment National trends show greatest current growth opportunity in masters programs.

Increase International Enrollment Active recruitment - be visible – Raised language proficiency standard for direct admits to facilitate success Global Gateway Program (GGP) – Advertise accelerated masters programs to successful GGP undergraduates – Develop a Pre-masters Program (PMP)

Increasing Capacity Increase capacity in current and new programs – IBB allows program growth and quality enhancement with a clear understanding of the balance between revenues and expenses Develop new programs – Respond to national trends/needs MS in Medical Science Complex Systems and Data Science MS PhD in Food Systems – Distance education Public Health programs (MPH, CPH, CEPH) Concentration in Leadership for Sustainability, MS in Natural Resources

Enhance Recruitment and Student Support Active recruitment – Publicize our strengths – Target international students – Target domestic diversity – Customer relationship management approach to admissions Enhance graduate student professional development – Writing Center Dissertation writing boot camps Grant writing workshops – Teaching certificate – Career services

Enhance Recruitment and Student Support Enhance research doctoral student support - stipend level and number – Stipend levels must be competitive to attract the best students – Tuition on grants – Training grants – Philanthropy Professional student support – Decrease out of state tuition – Scholarships – Philanthropy

Key component of President's Strategic Action Plan and Provost's Academic Excellence Goals Enhance intellectual vibrancy Enhance UVM reputation in research and scholarship Enhance faculty productivity Increase community of graduate (and postdoctoral) students Provide role models and mentors for undergraduate students Meet student need Vermont workforce development Increase revenue Growing UVM’s Graduate Population - Why?