Senate Document #45 REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW DEGREE PROGRAM The University of North Carolina Date: April 10, 1986 Constituent Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE API Discipline Specialty Title: Liberal/General Studies API Discipline Specialty Number: 24.101 Level: Master's degree Program Tracks: I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM A. Describe the proposed degree program and associated degree program tracks. The Master of Liberal Arts degree (MLA) is one which offers the mature student a graduate degree which is interdisciplinary in nature and nonprofessional in intent. It provides a unified liberal arts curriculum at the graduate level. The proposal for a Master's degree in Liberal Arts at UNCA is designed around the theme, "Dimensions of Freedom": this is an interdisciplinary program which explores all aspects of freedom as they relate to human nature, personhood, human values, and the quality of human life. This theme integrates studies ranging from natural science, psychology, and politics, to philosophy, religion, and the arts. The theme of freedom is chosen because it is central to the idea of liberal or liberating education, because it is intimately connected with issues concerning human values, and because it allows wide latitude in integrative and interdisciplinary work. Departments in all areas of the university should be able to contribute to such a program. All the courses in this program will be concerned with topics related to the central theme, although not all will address the concept of freedom exclusively. The program format is designed so that the students will begin and end the program with common core experiences, while having selected options in the middle part of the curriculum. The program begins with two "Protoseminars" designed to lay a foundation for later work. One of these is a course in intellectual history which explores the historical dimension of the development of various concepts of freedom. This seminar is designed to give the students a common historical framework within which to understand the development of ideas which culminate in contemporary questions and problems about human freedom and human values. The other "Protoseminar" will serve as an introduction to methodological Page 2 questions raised by interdisciplinary studies and will focus on identifying and analyzing different modes of knowing, explaining, and understanding encountered in diverse disciplines. Each of these Protoseminars carries three hours of academic credit. The next segment of the program focuses on three Divisional Seminars in which students are exposed to problems of value from the perspective of each of the academic divisions represented at UNCA: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. The seminars are interdisciplinary in nature but limited to the particular division. Thus, the student will be exposed to a more detailed treatment of the differing approaches to problems of value that are germane to each division. Each divisional seminar will carry three hours credit. In addition to the required division seminars, the student will take optional MLA courses relevant to their own interests from a selection of offerings. The defining characteristics of these courses would be that they are: 1) offered at a level of sophistication and rigor appropriate to a master's program, and 2) relevant to the theme of freedom, human nature, and value. These courses would be a combination of currently offered courses relevant to the theme (e.g. Behavior Modification, Contemporary Political Ideologies, Humanistic Psychology, Revolutions and Social Movements, Existence and Meaning, etc.) modified to a master's degree level, and new courses proposed by academic departments desiring to participate in the MLA program. With these characteristics in mind, a student will be given the opportunity to construct, in consultation with an advisory committee, a topical focus to his or her program. Students in the MLA program would take a minimum of four courses (12 hours) in this part of their program. As a common capstone experience, students are required to take a core seminar on "Freedom and Human Nature" in which they will draw on their diverse studies in the previous courses in an attempt to analyze the various views of freedom and human nature presupposed or implied by their earlier work, and as introduced by this course itself. They will be asked to critically analyze these concepts of human nature and to reflect on the value implications and presuppositions of these concepts. This course will carry three hours credit. The final requirement in the program is a master's thesis carrying six hours credit. The total number of credit hours in the program is 36. B. List the educational objectives of the program. The objectives of the MLA degree at UNCA are to cultivate: 1. a deeper appreciation of the general dimensions and possibilities of the human spirit and the human condition; 2. a wider appreciation of the interrelations between various disciplines as they related to the question of our humanity and self-understanding; Page 3 3. a greater sensitivity to problems concerning values and the process of valuation; 4. an increased ability in critical analysis and synoptic synthesis; 5. an increased ability to communicate clearly; 6. a greater awareness of the importance of viewing a problem from a variety of perspectives; 7. the desire to pursue individual self-understanding and self-actualization within the context of our common humanity. C. Indicate the relation of the program to other programs currently offered at the proposing institution, including the common use of (1) courses, (2) faculty, (3) facilities, and (4) other resources. Presently, UNCA does not offer any graduate level programs, though we do house the Asheville Graduate Center on our campus. Since the MLA is our first master's program, it was chosen because it builds on our strong undergraduate liberal arts focus. UNCA has a well developed interdisciplinary sequence of courses in the Humanities. This year faculty from 11 different departments participated in the four course sequence. Many of our present faculty are highly qualified and motivated to teach in the MLA program. Their commitment to interdisciplinary instruction will allow them to extend their teaching techniques to the MLA program. As was noted above most of the courses for the MLA will be new: at least 18 hours or 6 courses. Several of the courses in the elective sequence will cover currently offered topics, but at the master's degree level (e.g. Behavior Modification, Contemporary Political Ideologies, Humanistic Psychology, Revolutions and Social Movements, Existence and Meaning, etc.). It is also anticipated that some of the graduate courses offered through the Asheville Graduate Center may be able to serve as elective courses. No special facilities are anticipated other than the availability of classroom space. Presently, our classroom facilities are near maximum capacity. However, additional construction currently is underway which will provide adequate facilities for the MLA program. The operating resources for supplies and equipment should be available through the present university operating budget. D. Identify similar programs offered elsewhere in North Carolina. Indicate location and distance from the proposing institution. Include both publicly-supported and private institutions of higher education. Two universities in North Carolina presently offer a master's degree in liberal studies, Duke and UNC-Greensboro. Duke is located approximately 200 miles from Asheville while UNCG is over 150 miles away. Since the program directly appeals to the part-time, local student, there is no anticipated overlap. E. List the names of institutions with similar offerings regarded as high quality programs by the developers of the proposed program. Dartmouth College Georgetown University Page 4 Duke University Johns Hopkins University Southern Methodist University F. List other institutions visited or consulted in developing this proposal. Also list any consultant reports, committee findings, and simulations (cost, enrollment shift, induced course load matrix, etc.) generated in planning the proposed program. Members of the planning committee for the MLA attended a Conference in Baltimore in October, 1985 at which a number of directors of Liberal Studies programs from around the country were in attendance. Lengthy discussions were held with representatives from Johns Hopkins, Mary Washington College, Brooklyn College, Harvard, and Dartmouth among others. In addition, the committee closely reviewed the liberal studies proposal submitted by UNC-Greensboro. Discussions were also held with the director of the Duke University program. G. Indicate how the proposed new degree program differs from other programs like it in the University. If it is a program duplication, why is it necessary or justified? If it is a first professional or doctoral degree program, compare it with other similar programs in public and private universities in North Carolina, in the region, and in the nation. Since the Masters in Liberal Studies is the first and only graduate program proposed by UNCA it does not duplicate any existing program at the University. The MLA Committee has studied most of the programs offered in the country and we have found that they vary widely in structure, rigor and content. Some only require that students take a specified number of hours (usually 30-36) in order to obtain the degree. Others are highly structured, requiring a specific set of readings and courses taken in a specific progres- sion. Some require a final thesis or project -- some do not. Some are unified around a central theme -- some are not. Below is the definition of liberal studies programs developed by the Associate for Graduate Liberal Studies Programs. ARTICLE III. DEFINITION OF THE GRADUATE LIBERAL STUDIES PROGRAMS Although the programs represented by the Members of the Association vary considerably in size, organization, sponsoring institutions, and details of curriculum, they share a common purpose: to offer mature students a graduate degree which is interdisciplinary in nature and non-professional in intent (that is, not specifically intended to train students for a particular vocation, to provide accreditation for a profession, or to prepare students for further graduate study). The programs specifically adhere to the values of liberal arts education, but at the graduate level, offering students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and professions an alternative to the usual specialized programs. Among degrees commonly offered by the Liberal Studies programs are the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS), and Master of Liberal Arts. All programs are interdisciplinary. Their objective is to provide an Page 5 alternative approach to continued learning by offering a program for students who seek broad, interdisciplinary paths to knowledge and normally, to do this for student bodies comprised of part-time students (evening classes or intensive summer courses). In summary, the intention is a unified liberal arts curriculum at the graduate level. These goals can also be defined in terms of students' motivations in enrolling in these programs. These range from career-related concerns to the desire for intellectual stimulation. These varying interests are subsumed in a concern for personally rewarding further education in a humanistic context. In responding to these concerns, the Graduate Liberal Studies programs differ from other continuing education programs, which may also serve such students, in that they are degree programs, carefully structured, coherent in curriculum, founded on a set of requirements, and rigorous in the intellectual challenge they pose for participants. Their interdisciplinary curricula may be said to extend the liberal arts character of American undergraduate education to the graduate level. They are graduate programs-- formally so in requiring the bachelor's degree for admission, but more significantly in the maturity expected of students, the expectation of responsible and frequently independent work and thought, the level of discourse in classes and comprehension necessary to meet degree requirements (papers, examinations, projects, and the like). They represent then, a particular mode of graduate study, in breadth intentionally different from traditional departmental graduate programs, in structured curriculum and academic rigor unlike less consciously ordered programs of continuing education. II. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROGRAM A. Narrative statement. Describe the proposed program as it relates to: 1) the institutional mission, 2) overall state plans, 3) student demand, and 4) the strengthening of the existing undergraduate and graduate academic programs of your institution. UNCA has a tradition of being a quality liberal arts campus of the University of North Carolina. Our mission stresses the importance of the liberal arts as a foundation for later study in the major. While UNCA intends to remain primarily an undergraduate campus, the Master of Liberal Arts program offers a rare opportunity to establish a program which would allow the faculty to more fully develop courses in the liberal arts, enhance the university's liberal arts focus, and provide an opportunity for post-baccalaureate students to pursue an advanced program of studies. It is anticipated that the program would serve as a model for the development of integrative courses which could subsequently be developed for the undergraduate program. In order to assess student demand the MLA planning committee commissioned Page 6 a marketing survey conducted by the Communications program under the direction of Dr. Alan Hantz. A telephone survey was conducted of a target sample of people in the Asheville area who possessed the baccalaureate degree. The Target list was developed from various civic organization mailing lists and represented a cross section of persons in the Asheville area. Their survey revealed that a substantial number of persons in the community are interested in the Master's of Liberal Arts program. 27% of the 134 persons surveyed expressed definite interest in the program, while an additional 36% indicated some interest but wanted to know more about the program before making a commitment. The broad theme of "Freedom" was found to be the most widely preferred of the various themes suggested (a copy of the survey results are attached). B. Enrollment (upper division program majors, juniors and seniors only, for baccalaureate programs: 1. Project enrollment for four years, giving the basis for the projections. The four year enrollment projections are based on the following assumptions: 1) Most of the students will enroll on a part-time basis, typically taking one course a semester; 2) Most students will be from the local area and will be employed during the day; 3) Nearly 40 persons indicated an interest in the program during the survey; a yield rate of 45% of that group could be expected based on the typical UNCA yield rates for new students. 2. Project enrollment by numbers and race using the chart below: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 Black 1 1 2 3 White 14 18 21 27 Other - 1 1 1 TOTAL 15 20 24 30 III. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM A. Admission. List the following: 1. Admissions requirements for proposed program (indicate minimum requirements and general requirements). All students will be required to hold at least the baccalaureate degree in order to be admitted to the program. All candidates will be required to take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT). Each candidate will be required to submit an essay in which the applicant describes his or her pertinent personal and professional experience and education, as well as his or her interests and goals in Page 7 pursuing the MLA degree. Each candidate will be interviewed by members of the MLA Program Council and the Program Director. 2. Documents to be submitted for admission (listing or sample). -- College transcripts -- letters of recommendation -- Statement of purpose in seeking the MLA degree -- GRE or MAT B. Degree requirements. List the following: 1. Total hours required. Major. Minor. The MLA degree will consist of thirty-six (36) semester hours. 2. Proportion of courses open only to graduate students to be required in program (graduate programs only). 6 of the 10 courses required are open only to graduate students. This constitutes 18 semester hours. The thesis requirement (6 semester hours) is also open only to graduate students. 3. Grades required. An A, B, C, F grading scheme will be followed for the program. The student must have a B average with no more than 6 semester hours of C grades in order to successfully complete the program. 4. Amount of credit accepted for transfer. Because of the likelihood of encouraging students in the MLA program to take some elective courses from other graduate programs offered through the Asheville Graduate Center, 12 semester hours will be allowed in transfer from other accredited graduate programs. Each such request will be reviewed by the MLA Program Council and the Program Director to insure that the work is relevant to the intent of the MLA program. 5. Other requirements: residence, comprehensive exams, thesis, dissertation, clinical and field experience, etc. Because this type of program appeals to the part-time, older student, there is no residency requirement which will be established. Students will be expected to maintain contact with an assigned graduate advisor to insure that they progress through the program. A 6 hour thesis is a requirement of students in the program. 6. Language and/or research tool requirements. No specific requirements are anticipated. 7. Any time limits for completion. The MLA program proposed is expected to appeal primarily to the part-time graduate student. Consequently, some flexibility will be needed in determining time limits for the completion of the degree. Therefore, we propose that any student who has been in the program for five years will Page 8 be reviewed carefully to determine the likelihood of completing the program. C. List existing courses by title and number and indicate (*) those that are required. Include an explanation of numbering system and describe new courses proposed. At present none of the courses required in the program have been taught at UNCA. It is anticipated that some courses may be expanded and upgraded to a graduate level and offered as electives. The following new courses will be required: Historical Perspectives (3 hr) -- a course in intellectual history which explores the historical dimension of the development of various concepts of freedom. This should give the students a common historical framework within which to understand the development of ideas that culminate in contemporary questions and problems about human freedom and human values. Integrative Studies (3 hr) -- an introduction to methodological questions raised by interdisciplinary studies and would focus on identifying and analyzing different modes of knowing, explaining, and understanding in diverse disciplines. Natural Science Seminar (3 hr) -- The seminar is interdisciplinary in nature but limited to the natural science division. The student will be required to consider problems of human value raised by issues in the natural sciences. Social Science Seminar (3 hr) -- The seminar is interdisciplinary in nature but limited to the social science division. The student will be required to consider problems of human value raised by issues in the social sciences. Humanities Seminar (3 hr) -- the seminar is interdisciplinary in nature but limited to the Humanities division. The student will be required to consider problems of human value raised by issues in the Humanities. Freedom and Human Nature (3 hr) -- The student will be required to analyze the various views of freedom and human nature presupposed or implied by the student's previous work, and as introduced by this course itself. Students will be asked to critically analyze these concepts of human nature and to reflect on the value implications and presuppositions of these concepts. IV. FACULTY A. List the names of persons now on the faculty who will be directly involved in the proposed program. (Include resumes in attachment.) Provide complete information on each faculty member's education, publications, teaching experience, research experience, and experience in the direction of student research, with the number of theses and dissertations directed, in addition to biographical information. Page 9 Dr. Phyllis Betts, Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Alan Comer, Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Margaret Downes, Assistant Professor of Literature Dr. Lance Gentile, Professor of Education Dr. Deryl Howard, Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Charles Prokop, Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Gene Rainey, Professor of Political Science Dr. Ted Uldricks, Associate Professor of History B. Project the need for new faculty for the proposed program for the first four years. If the teaching responsibilities for the proposed program will be absorbed in part or in whole by the present faculty, explain how this will be done without weakening existing programs. Based on likely enrollments for the MLA program and the number of courses to be offered, it is projected that UNCA will need two (2) additional faculty positions during the first four years. One faculty position will be needed at the initiation of program. This person will be expected to serve as the program director and to teach several courses during the first year. The balance of course offerings which may be needed can be absorbed by the present UNCA faculty without affecting existing programs. By the third year of the program it is anticipated that an additional faculty position will be needed. This position will handle additional courses which will be required by the third year. Any other courses needed will be handled by the existing UNCA faculty. C. If acquisition of new faculty requires additional funds, please explain where and how these funds will be obtained. The initial faculty position will need to be funded from the University Change budget or through a special initial appropriation. Since UNCA has never offered a master's level program, considerable time will be required for the initial start-up and course implementation. Attempting to fund this initial faculty position through the Enrollment budget would only hamper already existing programs which are in need of additional faculty resources. By the third year of the program it is anticipated that a second faculty position could be funded through the Enrollment budget, since student enrollment in the MLA should be sufficient by then to justify such additions. D. Please explain how the program will affect faculty activity, including course load, public service activity and scholarly research. If the positions noted above are approved, the impact of the MLA program on faculty activity should be minimal. Course loads will not be altered for those persons teaching in the MLA program. Faculty involvement in public service is not expected to be significantly affected, though it is hoped that the MLA program will increase the exposure of the faculty to various groups in the local community. Because the proposed program is at the graduate level, it is expected that the scholarly activity of the faculty participating in the program will increase. Those faculty participating will be encouraged and, if possible, supported in their efforts to increase their scholarly activities in areas relevant to the MLA. Page 10 V. LIBRARY A. Provide a statement as to the adequacy of present library holdings for the proposed program. The broad, comprehensive nature of the curriculum proposed for the Master of Liberal Arts degree makes it difficult to identify specific library resources and to analyze the adequacy of contributors to the program, a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary resources will be needed by students as they explore the central theme: "Dimensions of Freedom". Current Resources 1. Holdings in selected areas: NUMBER OF TITLES Periodical Circulating Reference Subject Titles Collection Collection History 60 15,350 550 Social Sciences 178 17,150 900 Biology & Environmental Studies 54 4,000 200 Literature 69 14,750 750 Philosophy & Religion 25 7,225 175 Psychology 67 2,125 40 2. Government Publications As a U. S. Government depository, Ramsey Library holds a wide range of statistical publications from social agencies such as the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, Health and Human Services, the State Department, the Energy Department, and the Department of Labor. The collection includes transcriptions of Congressional hearings covering a wide range of issues since the 1960's. 3. Sampling of Library Holdings __________ __ ___ _______ __ _____ Using the five volume Dictionary of the History of Ideas and the ____________ __ __________ Encyclopedia of Philosophy as sources of bibliographic citations, all English language books included in the bibliographies appended to the following articles were checked against Ramsey Library holdings: Freedom, Legal concept of Freedom of Speech in Antiquity Liberalism Equality Free Will Freedom Individualism, Types of Of the 92 titles checked, the library owned 47%. Many of the books not owned were either older titles long out of print or collected works of which we have variant editions. 4. Bibliographic Data Bases and Interlibrary borrowing The library has on-line access, through the DIALOG Information System, to Page 11 relevant indexes in the social sciences, humanities, science and technology, medicine, energy and environment, business, education, and current affairs. Ramsey Library is a member of the OCLC on-line Interlibrary Loan System and has access to information sources in libraries throughout North Carolina and the nation. The Western North Carolina Library Network, which will be operational in 1987, will provide on-line access to the holdings of Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Asheville. A planned delivery service will facilitate resource sharing among these three UNC libraries. B. State how the library should be improved to meet new program requirements for the next five years. Explanation should cover needs for books, periodicals, reference material, primary source material, etc. What additional library support must be added to areas supporting the proposed program? The current book and journal resources, although relevant for graduate study, have been selected primarily to meet the needs of undergraduate students in the liberal arts. Fifty-thousand dollars spent over the next five years should be adequate to build a core collection of books, periodicals and reference materials for graduate level work. Projections are detailed as follows: 1. Books - Assuming $35 as an average per-volume price for hardcover book over the 5 year period, $35,000 would purchase some 1,000 new titles by 1991. 2. Reference Materials - Some $5,000 should be available to purchase index/abstract services and general reference works. 3. Periodicals - Assuming an average annual periodical subscription cost of $75, over the 5-year period $10,000 would purchase some 20 new periodical subscriptions and needed backfiles. 4. Government Documents - As a U. S. Government depository, Ramsey Library can increase its acquisition of relevant government materials without direct expenditure of acquisitions funds. C. Discuss any contemplated use of other institutional libraries. (See Above) VI. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT A. Describe facilities available for the proposed program. No special facilities are anticipated for the MLA program aside from standard classroom and seminar space and faculty office space. It was noted above that classroom and office space are at a premium at present. An addition to the Science building will alleviate the space problem. Also UNCA has already submitted a request for a new Graduate Page 12 Center/general purpose classroom building in the 1987-89 biennium. B. Describe the effect of this new facility use on existing programs. If the Graduate Center/Classroom building is constructed it would greatly alleviate the overcrowded situation we presently have. The Asheville Graduate Center could operate all of its programs from such a facility (this would include the MLA program as well). C. Indicate any computer services needed and/or available. The only computing needs anticipated in any quantity would be the various library search programs. The UNCA library already is capable of providing this service. Any highly specialized computing could be handled through our connection with the Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC). D. Indicate sources of financial support for any new facilities and equipment. The Graduate Center/Classroom building which the MLA may use must be funded from the Capital Budget of the University. The projected cost of the facility would be $4.3 million. It should be noted that the initiation of the MLA program is not dependent on the construction of the Graduate Center. Ultimately, however, the University will need the space. VII. ADMINISTRATION Describe how the proposed program will be administered giving the responsibilities of each department, division, school, or college. Explain any interdepartmental or inter-unit administrative plans. Include an organizational chart showing the "location" of the proposed new program. The Asheville Graduate Center is housed on the UNCA campus. The Center provides the administrative support for the various graduate programs which are offered at UNCA including WCU, UNCG, and NC State. A part-time director primarily responsible for the academic and staffing aspects of the MLA program will be named along with an MLA Program Council for the program. The director will be a faculty member appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in consultation with the appropriate department chairmen. The Director will be released from appropriate portions of his/her normal duties. The Director would report to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNCA and would be responsible for all programmatic decisions. The director would work with the Director of the Graduate Center for any administrative activities. The MLA Program Council will be the faculty body which advises the Director in the administration of the program. Members of the Program Council will be appointed by the Director in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the appropriate department chairmen. The Director will also be a member of the Program Council. Page 13 PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ------------------------------- General Administration UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ------------------------------- | | ------------------------------- | | | | ________________ | Chancellor | UNCA | ---------------- ------------------------------- Director ASHEVILLE GRADUATE CENTER ------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------- | Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs - - - - - UNCA ------------------------------------- | | | -------------------- ------------------------ Director - - - - - MLA Program Council MLA PROGRAM UNCA -------------------- ------------------------ VIII. ACCREDITATION Indicate the names of all accrediting agencies normally concerned with programs similar to the one proposed. ___________ __ Though it is not a formal accrediting organization, the Association of ________ _______ _______ ________ graduate Liberal Studies Programs serves as a clearinghouse and information exchange on the purpose and nature of graduate liberal studies programs. UNCA has requested membership in this association and hopes to advance its own MLA program through close ties with other graduate programs in liberal studies from around the country. IX. SUPPORTING FIELDS Are other subject-matter fields at the proposing institution necessary or valuable in support of the proposed program? Is there needed improvement or expansion of these fields? To what extent will such improvement or expansion be necessary for the proposed program? Page 14 As a liberal studies program the MLA at UNCA hopes to draw upon the expertise of faculty from all the disciplines in the University. UNCA's liberal arts tradition has produced a number of disciplines with excellent faculty. The faculty presently at UNCA are quite capable of offering a high quality MLA program. The only expansion anticipated is that at least two new faculty positions in the appropriate disciplines will be needed as the program evolves. X. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Include any additional information deemed pertinent to the review of this new degree program proposal. XI. BUDGET __________ _____ Provide estimates (using the attached form) of the additional costs required to implement the program and identify the proposed sources of the additional funds required. Prepare a budget schedule for each of the first three years of the program indicating the account number and name for all additional amounts required. Identify EPA and SPA positions immediately below the account listing. New SPA positions should be listed at the first step in the salary range using the SPA classification rates currently in effect. Identify any large or specialized equipment and any unusual supplies requirements. For purposes of the second and third year estimates, project faculty and SPA position rates and fringe benefits rates at first year levels. Include the continuation of previous year(s) costs in second and third year estimates. During the first year of operation it is anticipated that an additional clerical person will be needed to assist the MLA director in managing the program. This person would need to serve as an administrative assistant and consequently would be at a higher salary scale. Every effort will be made to take advantage of existing staff in the University and in the Graduate Center to minimize the need for any other clerical staff. One new faculty position would also be necessary in the first year for the director of the program. A minimum of two courses will be offered each semester in the first year of the program. This teaching load plus the responsibilities of directing the program amount to the equivalent of one FTE faculty position. The remaining funds needed for the first year of the program are supply and travel expenses normally associated with the start up of a new program. Costs for the second year of the program would be similar to the first year with normal salary and operating budget increases. The third year it would be expected that an additional faculty position would be required to cover the additional enrollment expected. The additional funds for the Library would be necessary in order to bring the collections up to a level appropriate for the MLA program. Page 15 A detailed budget for the first three years is attached. XII. EVALUATION PLAN All new degree program proposals and degree program track descriptions must include an evaluation plan which includes (a) the criteria to be used to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the program, (b) measures to be used to evaluate the program, (c) expected levels of productivity of the proposed program/track for the first four years of the program (numbers of graduates), (d) the names of at least three persons qualified to review this proposal and to evaluate the program once operational, and (e) the proposed plan and schedule to evaluate the proposed new degree program prior to the completion of its fifth year of operation once fully established. Several years ago UNCA initiated an "Academic Audit" program in which academic programs within the University were reviewed from several varied perspectives. Each year two programs are selected for review using previously specified criteria. More recently we have incorporated learning objectives into this process, and ultimately expect to add external reviews as well. The underlying theme of this evaluation model PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT at UNCA is that of PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. The emphasis on program improvement would include perceptions of the MLA planning committee that has formulated the present proposal, the various administrators directly involved in the program, the faculty who will be participating in the program as well as those outside the program, and the students in the program. The approach to evaluating the MLA program will follow this previously established model. For example, not only will the stated goals and objectives of the program be reviewed but also the impact of the program on other areas of the university, its contribution to the enhanced quality of instruction at UNCA, etc. Objective and subjective criteria PROGRAM will be used in the evaluation process; all with an eye toward PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT. The UNCA Graduate Council will be primarily responsible for the oversight of the evaluation project. PROGRAM EVALUATION FORMAT A. Criteria to be used to evaluate the proposed program: -- QUALITY OF PROGRAM Faculty Students Curriculum Support services (Library, Computing, Program Admin. LRC, etc.) -- NEED OF PROGRAM Centrality to Mission of the University Value of program to students and greater community Comparative Advantage -- DEMAND FOR PROGRAM Present and projected demand Success of graduates -- COST Page 16 Cost effectiveness Indirect cost/benefit B. Measures to be used to evaluate the program: -- QUANTITATIVE MEASURES UNCA introduced an "Academic Audit" procedure for the quantification of academic programs. In this procedure multiple dimensions are examined ranging from class size to credit hour ratios to scholarly productive measures of the faculty. Each of the criteria noted above will have an appropriate objective measure associated with it. -- QUALITATIVE MEASURES An important dimension to UNCA's program evaluation model is that we recognize and incorporate into the process the inherent subjectivity of evaluation. Thus activities such as student evaluations, interviews, and classroom observation are directly assessed. In relation to the MLA program the judgments of the various "audiences" (students, faculty, administration) will be considered along with the perceptions and judgments of external reviewers. C. Projected productivity levels (number of graduates): level Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Master's 0 3 7 8 8 NB: Since the program is expected to appeal to part-time adult students the graduation rates from the program are expected to be low for the first few years. D. Recommended consultant/reviewer: names, titles, addresses. May not be employees of the University of North Carolina. William Kemp Director of the MALS Program Mary Washington College 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5358 Dr. Allie Frazier President Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs Hollins College P.O. Box 9651 Hollins College, VA 24020 Dr. Bonnie Erickson Director of the MALS Program Duke University Durham, NC Page 17 E. Plan for evaluation prior to sixth operational year. Annual program reviews will be conducted each year focusing primarily on the "Academic Audit" type of quantitative information. Informal "audience" perceptions will reviewed on an annual basis as well. At the end of the third year a more formal assessment will be conducted as outlined above, if possible including external reviewers. The purpose of this review would be for Program Improvement. At the conclusion of the fifth year a formal assessment would again be repeated with particular attention paid to the relative success of suggestions in the previous assessment. Date proposed degree program was authorized for planning: August, 1985 Proposed date of initiation of proposed degree program: August, 1987 Chancellor: _________________________________________ Page 18 chart