Course Overview
This course provides students with an overview of the institutional research profession, the most common functions that institutional research offices carry out, and effective reporting techniques. This is an introductory course that acquaints students with topics that are treated in greater depth in subsequent courses. The course is designed for those entering careers in institutional research and planning, as well as for those whose work is related to analysis and reporting in other higher education settings. This is one of two required courses for the Penn State Certificate Program in Institutional Research, offered in collaboration with the Association for Institutional Research. Nevertheless, those students who are not enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research Program (http://www.ed.psu.edu/cshe/ir.html) but want to register for the course, are welcome to do so.
Course Objective
Upon completion of HIED 801, students will be able to:
This course provides students with an overview of the institutional research profession, the most common functions that institutional research offices carry out, and effective reporting techniques. This is an introductory course that acquaints students with topics that are treated in greater depth in subsequent courses. The course is designed for those entering careers in institutional research and planning, as well as for those whose work is related to analysis and reporting in other higher education settings. This is one of two required courses for the Penn State Certificate Program in Institutional Research, offered in collaboration with the Association for Institutional Research. Nevertheless, those students who are not enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research Program (http://www.ed.psu.edu/cshe/ir.html) but want to register for the course, are welcome to do so.
Course Objective
Upon completion of HIED 801, students will be able to:
- Understand concepts, methodologies, research practices, and information systems that support campus decision making
- Understand the diversity of the institutional research profession, including office organization and staffing, and organizational functions and activities
- Recognize and carryout at a basic level the major Institutional Research activities including using National Datasets, Planning and Budgeting, Enrollment Management and enrollment forecasting, Faculty Studies and Instructional Analysis, Institutional Effectiveness and accreditation, Educational Effectiveness and Student Outcomes Assessment.
- Utilize SPSS software, make power-point presentations, and produce effective reports on selected IR topics.