Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - March 2, 2020

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2127

Members Present: C. Blackinton, J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill (Chair), K. Kapale, B. Locke (Vice Chair), J. McQuillan

Members Absent: C. Anderson, S. Szyjka

Guests Present: L. Wolff, A. Silberer, M. Navarres, J. Plos, L. Oden, E. Sheffield

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz


I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Academic Integrity Violation

1. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

The sub-committee of the Graduate Council presented their findings from the hearing and recommended upholding the charge of academic dishonesty.

Motion: To approve the recommendation. (Hammersley/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Barry Birnbaum, Associate Professor, Education

Council members expressed concerns and had numerous questions but did not have a representative to ask. Request was postponed to the next meeting.


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, January 2020 (0)

B. Requests to serve as a reader/chair on exit option committee, January 2020 (2)

1. Psychology (2) - Approved

C. Graduate Research Conference recap

Dr. Kapale provided a recap of the Conference noting that the quality of submissions was again very good with the moderators and judges impressed. STEAM roundtables was a new component that was added that were well attended with the hopes of future collaboration among programs. Next conference is scheduled for March 5, 2021.

D. Graduate Council Nomination and Election Procedures

Ms. Schulz announced that petitions would be mailed to full members of the graduate faculty in the near future. Vacant seats will be from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, and the College of Education and Human Services. New members will be invited to the April 20, 2020 meeting.


IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Education

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Dr. Wolff explained that the redesign that they did in 2014-2015 included courses from the CSP program that then did not leave graduate of that master’s program the option to continue on into the Ed.D. program plus the courses were not fitting the needs of the students that were actually in the program. The change will take the option from Higher Ed to Post-Secondary. All minor course changes have already been approved.

Motion: To approve the request. (Kapale/Locke)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Engineering Technology

1. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate program requirements

a. Education Technology Specialist Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Dr. Hemphill noted that the State changed requirements and the PBC can now be 18 hours instead of 24. The proposed six courses will fulfill the State requirements.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Locke)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Kinesiology

1. Request to increase credit hours

a. KIN 595, Critical Readings in Kinesiology, 2 s.h. to 3 s.h.

Drs. Navarres and Plos provided information about the course. It is not currently a core course but are planning to move it into the core and want to keep the courses consistent.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. KIN 605, Graduate Project, 3 s.h.

Dr. Plos explained that they want to create a new exit option of a capstone project. The program currently offers a grant writing exit option but none of the students are interested in it. This new course would open opportunities for students that want to do something that is not a thesis. Dr. McQuillan asked about the objective regarding analyzing research data and asked if it was their own data or that of others. Dr. Plos replied that it depended on the focus of the project.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

3. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Kinesiology

Dr. Plos stated that students are no longer interested in the tracks and want to specialize more. This proposal will simplify the course requirements and allow students to customize the program requirements. The department did focus groups and found that they were not as competitive as peer institutions that were offering a faster program. Students are getting jobs at the 1 ½ year mark and not being able to finish courses here. Dr. Hammersley asked for clarification about the current tracks. Dr. Plos responded that they would be eliminated but the department would keep an internal list if students wanted to focus in an area. Discussion was held about the interest in the specific tracks including Sport Psychology.

Motion: To approve the request. (Kapale/Locke)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Law Enforcement & Justice Administration

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. LEJA 431, Organized Crime, 3 s.h.

Department representatives not able to attend. Council members have questions.

Motion: To postpone the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

E. Speech Pathology

1. Request to increase credit hours

Dr. Silberer provided information on both course requests noting that the request is based on the national accreditation standards of 400 hours. Dr. Hammersley asked about University policy on hours for an internship. Dr.  Silberer responded that it is based on contact hours and peer institutions have been doing this for a number of years.

a. SPA 522; Internship in the Public Schools; 1-6, repeatable to 10 s.h. to 8, repeatable to 16 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. SPA 600; Internship in Communication Disorders; 1-6, repeatable to 14 s.h. to 8, repeatable to 16 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. SPA 590, Speech-Language Group Practicum, 3-4 s.h.

Dr. Silberer explained that this is the third summer doing the work but they have decided to make the work available for course credits. This course is a program for group therapy over the summer for area children that gives graduate students experience working with this target group. This course will tie in with research that is also taught over the summer and make the program more formal. Dr. Locke asked if the students are receiving pay for the clinic work. Dr. Silberer replied that it is not a job but experience.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

3. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Speech Pathology

Dr. Silberer stated that even moving the program to 71 hours keeps it to within 5 hours of all peer institutions. Dr. Hemphill asked about the length of the program. Dr. Silberer responded that it is standard in the field.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


V.  OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4 p.m.