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 Council of Ontario Universities 2

Background ●MTCU Ontario University Graduate Survey (undergraduate) ●Pilot project at Western University ●Context: Graduate expansion, increasing enrolments, differentiation, and Strategic Mandate Agreements Council of Ontario Universities 3

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. Council of Ontario Universities 4

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 Council of Ontario Universities 5

Survey Outline ●Initial validation ●General satisfaction ●Career information ▫ Current employment ▫ Career pathways ●Quality and impact of graduate studies ●Overall experience Council of Ontario Universities 6

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]? Council of Ontario Universities 7

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? Council of Ontario Universities 8

Ongoing issues ●Intellectual Property and survey use ●Methodology ▫ Use of occupational codes ▫ Timing of pilot survey ●Data reporting Council of Ontario Universities 9

For continued discussion ●Interpretation(s) of results ●Policy development ●Future administration(s) Council of Ontario Universities 10

Julia Colyar Senior Policy Analyst Council of Ontario Universities Phone: extension Council of Ontario Universities 11