Departments asked for feedback on adding another master degree
Author: Jeff Budlong
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Author: Jeff Budlong
At the final Faculty Senate meeting of the fall semester Dec. 13, senators were asked to seek input from their departments about the potential impact of another type of master's degree. ISU graduate council chair Monica Haddad, community and regional planning, said some departments have expressed interest in a master of science requiring only coursework.
Currently, the university offers three types of master's degrees:
"I am asking if the council should revise the policy, or if programs wanting to offer a coursework-only master be required to name it a master of the discipline?" Haddad said.
She said there is not a trend among universities nationwide for this kind of master's program. Some departments believe more applicants would consider it if there was an online, coursework-only master of science option.
Some senators voiced opposition, believing it would lessen the prestige of a master of science degree by not requiring a thesis or creative component. Another concern was the possibility of graduates implying their master of science degree included a thesis or creative component when it did not. Other senators asked if it could be a department-level, rather than universitywide decision.
Haddad asked senators to have their department's faculty respond by Feb. 1 by emailing feedback to Natalie Robinson, Graduate College student services assistant director.
Senators will vote at the January meeting on numerous changes to the degree planning policy for majors, minors and certificates. Academic affairs council chair Rahul Parsa said the intent is to provide more opportunities to students. Generally, changes within the proposal would:
Senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert shared updates coming to two lists of ISU peer institutions.
The first list of 10 is established and approved by the state Board of Regents. An Iowa State advisory committee will offer suggested changes to it at the regents' February meeting, the first major changes to the list since 1986.
"Of the 10 [current] schools, only one lists Iowa State as a peer," Wickert said. "Seven of the universities on the list have medical schools, and that provides them different funding opportunities."
A second list, prepared by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, includes 97 peer institutions for Iowa State. Wickert said the goal is to make that list shorter but still offer a broader comparison than the regents-approved list.
Senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert (left) and Faculty Senate president Jon Perkins present Denise Vrchota an engraved clock to recognize her leadership on the task force that updated the Faculty Handbook. Contributed photo.
Former Faculty Senate president Denise Vrchota was recognized by Wickert and the senate for leading a task force of former senate presidents that updated the Faculty Handbook for consistency in reference, style and completeness, a process that lasted 16 months. Vrchota led the senate during the 1998-99 academic year.
Senators will vote next month on:
Senators approved: