North Carolina State University Graduate School
Master Assessment Plan
Communication Rhetoric and Digital Media

Outcomes Analysis Years: 2007-2008
Biennial Report Year/Semester:   2008/Spring

Program(s): Communication Rhetoric and Digital Media
Objective: To provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary for professional success in the academy or elsewhere.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will understand the academic career system including entry-level placement, promotion and tenure processes, mentoring, and the professional roles associated with various career stages Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will demonstrate that they are becoming active professionals by publishing articles in journals or presenting papers at regional, national, or international venues. Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress Students Annually
Students will become familiar with the primary professional societies related to their areas of interest, and will be encouraged to contribute appropriately to the work of those societies Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will understand the principles of professional ethics and service as they pertain to academic, disciplinary, and interdisciplinary work Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will develop teaching skills through experience assisting in and instructing a variety of courses appropriate to their program focus Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress; annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually

Outcomes Analysis Years: 2009-2010
Biennial Report Year/Semester:   2010/Spring

Program(s): Communication Rhetoric and Digital Media
Objective: To prepare students to succeed as scholars and researchers in a focused field within the interdisciplinary area of communication, rhetoric, and digital media.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will read and review the literature in their area of study in such a way that reveals a comprehensive understanding of and a critical perspective toward current issues. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will develop a conceptual vocabulary that they can use to frame questions, interpret data, and test other vocabularies. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will develop a mastery of research and analytical methods appropriate to inquiry in one or more of the research fronts in this interdisciplinary area. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will become independent, self-motivated researchers with the ability to formulate significant research questions in their field of expertise and produce answers with potential for making significant contributions to the research literature. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will establish a productive line of research that can extend their doctoral research beyond graduate school. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams


Objective: To provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary for professional success in the academy or elsewhere.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will understand the academic career system including entry-level placement, promotion and tenure processes, mentoring, and the professional roles associated with various career stages Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will demonstrate that they are becoming active professionals by publishing articles in journals or presenting papers at regional, national, or international venues. Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress Students Annually
Students will become familiar with the primary professional societies related to their areas of interest, and will be encouraged to contribute appropriately to the work of those societies Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will understand the principles of professional ethics and service as they pertain to academic, disciplinary, and interdisciplinary work Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will develop teaching skills through experience assisting in and instructing a variety of courses appropriate to their program focus Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress; annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually

Outcomes Analysis Years: 2011-2012
Biennial Report Year/Semester:   2012/Spring

Program(s): Communication Rhetoric and Digital Media
Objective: To provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary for professional success in the academy or elsewhere.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will understand the academic career system including entry-level placement, promotion and tenure processes, mentoring, and the professional roles associated with various career stages Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will demonstrate that they are becoming active professionals by publishing articles in journals or presenting papers at regional, national, or international venues. Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress Students Annually
Students will become familiar with the primary professional societies related to their areas of interest, and will be encouraged to contribute appropriately to the work of those societies Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will understand the principles of professional ethics and service as they pertain to academic, disciplinary, and interdisciplinary work Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will develop teaching skills through experience assisting in and instructing a variety of courses appropriate to their program focus Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress; annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually


Objective: To establish and maintain a position of national and international leadership and visibility as a highly successful graduate program in the interdisciplinary areas of its focus.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
The program will attract, secure, and retain high-quality students Application statistics; student retention statistics Graduate School Annually
The program will provide high-quality mentoring Annual student survey Students Annually
The program will show strong records of progress toward the degree Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress; time-to-degree statistics Exit surveys Students; Graduate School Annually
The program will prepare students to be competitive on the job market. Exit surveys Students Annually
The program will have a graduate faculty who actively contribute to knowledge production in their fields through publications and oral presentations; participate in service to the department, the university, and the profession; and propose and attain grants related to research, teaching, and service. Faculty annual reports Faculty Annually

Outcomes Analysis Years: 2013-2014
Biennial Report Year/Semester:   2014/Spring

Program(s): Communication Rhetoric and Digital Media
Objective: To prepare students to succeed as scholars and researchers in a focused field within the interdisciplinary area of communication, rhetoric, and digital media.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will read and review the literature in their area of study in such a way that reveals a comprehensive understanding of and a critical perspective toward current issues. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will develop a conceptual vocabulary that they can use to frame questions, interpret data, and test other vocabularies. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will develop a mastery of research and analytical methods appropriate to inquiry in one or more of the research fronts in this interdisciplinary area. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will become independent, self-motivated researchers with the ability to formulate significant research questions in their field of expertise and produce answers with potential for making significant contributions to the research literature. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams
Students will establish a productive line of research that can extend their doctoral research beyond graduate school. Rubrics to be filled out at (1) preliminary oral exam and (2) oral defense of dissertation Faculty members on student's committee After Prelim and Final Oral Exams


Objective: To provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary for professional success in the academy or elsewhere.
Outcome Data Data Source Collection Date
Students will understand the academic career system including entry-level placement, promotion and tenure processes, mentoring, and the professional roles associated with various career stages Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will demonstrate that they are becoming active professionals by publishing articles in journals or presenting papers at regional, national, or international venues. Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress Students Annually
Students will become familiar with the primary professional societies related to their areas of interest, and will be encouraged to contribute appropriately to the work of those societies Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will understand the principles of professional ethics and service as they pertain to academic, disciplinary, and interdisciplinary work Annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually
Students will develop teaching skills through experience assisting in and instructing a variety of courses appropriate to their program focus Annual Review of Graduate Student Progress; annual student survey; exit survey Students Annually