4.1

The institution evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its mission. Criteria may include: enrollment data; retention, graduation, course completion, and job placement rates; state licensing examinations; student portfolios; or other means of demonstrating achievement of goals. (Student achievement)

Compliance Judgment

X     In compliance     Partially compliant     Non-compliant

Narrative

Francis Marion University evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its mission. Student achievement is evaluated in many ways, at many points in the academic career. Core Requirement 2.5 describes how the University uses data in its planning and decision-making process. Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1.1 demonstrates how each academic program evaluates the outcomes of its program. Some other methods of evaluation include the following:

• course completion data
• retention and graduation rates
• degree completion
• degrees awarded by major
• state licensing exams pass rates
• job placement rates.

Course Completion Data

The University audits all student work to ensure that students successfully complete all courses required for graduation in their majors, minors, and collaterals. Especially during the semesters prior to graduation—and at any time on request—the Registrar’s Office runs an audit for students to verify that their coursework fulfills the stated requirements published in the university catalog and in departmental brochures. These records are maintained in a secure database that is continually updated and stored on campus every day and in an off-campus facility once a week. The following tables are summaries of course success rates at Francis Marion over the past five years:

Table 1. Undergraduate Students Percentage of Courses Completed

Table 2. Graduate Students Percentage of Courses Completed

The successful completion rate for undergraduates between Fall 2012 and Fall 2016, on average, was 86%. The successful completion rate for graduate students between Fall 2012 and Fall 2016 was 91%.

Retention and Graduation Rates

The University’s College Portrait summary on the Voluntary System of Accountability provides an overview of retention rates. The most recent data from Fall 2014 indicated a 69% fall to fall retention rate [1-scroll down to bottom of p. 2 and top of p. 3].

The University’s College Portrait summary on the Voluntary System of Accountability also provides an overview of graduation rates. The most recent data for the fall 2009 cohort indicated a 41.1% six-year graduation rate [2].

Degree Completion

The University’s College Portrait summary on the Voluntary System of Accountability provides a tally of degrees awarded and also provides data on the areas of study with the largest number of degrees awarded in 2014-2015 [3]. This information is distributed campus-wide via the Francis Marion University Institutional Research website [4]. Over the past five years, the university has awarded 2775 undergraduate degrees, 390 graduate degrees, and 34 specialist degrees [5].

State Licensing Exams Pass Rates

The University uses numerous measures in its ongoing planning for and evaluation of student achievement.

The Department of Education at Francis Marion University submits reports on the successful completion of the Praxis Series. The threshold for success on the Praxis Series is the national score that the State of South Carolina uses as a cut score. In fact, 73% of Francis Marion’s Education students who took the Praxis II Test between April 2012 and March 2016 had a passing grade. The table below provides a summary of Praxis performance over the past five years.

Table 3. Praxis Performance

Success rates for state licensing exams for nurses is posted and provided to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE). In fact, 87% of Francis Marion University’s Nursing Students who took the National Council Licensure Exam –NCLEX-RN between 2012 and 2016 passed. The threshold for success on the NCLEX-RN is a score equal to or greater than the State of South Carolina average. The following is a table describing the success rate of Francis Marion students compared to students across the nation and in South Carolina on the National Council Licensure Exam.

Table 4. National Council Licensure Exam – – NCLEX-RN Passing Rate Among Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Students

Job Placement Rates

Graduates of the University follow many paths in their first year after receiving their degree. Francis Marion asked about their first destination after graduation using the following question:

“What is MOST LIKELY your PRINCIPAL activity upon graduation? (Please place an “X” by your response).”

Data from the Bachelor’s Degree Recipients’ First-destination Survey indicated that 80% of respondents in 2014-2015 selected full time employment as their principal activity after graduation. Part time employment was endorsed by 5% of the respondents while graduate and professional school accounted for 9% of the responses [6-scroll down to p. 2].

By monitoring student enrollment, course success rates, retention rates, degree completion, degrees awarded by major, state licensing exams pass rates, and job placement rates, Francis Marion University is evaluating success with respect to student achievement. on an ongoing basis and in accordance with its mission.

Documentation

1. Voluntary System of Accountability Retention Rates
2. Voluntary System of Accountability Graduation Rates
3. Voluntary System of Accountability Majors and Degrees
4. FMU Website, Institutional Research
5. Degrees Awarded 2012-2016 (LSO)
6. System of Accountability Bachelor Recipients’ First-Destination Survey Results