A Systematic Syllabi Review on Interdisciplinary Personnel Preparation Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop an effective evaluation tool to review course syllabi as a method for ensuring effective outcomes for interdisciplinary personnel preparation. A well-written course syllabus reflects the quality of the academic program in which the coursework is a part. A review of the syllabi across interdisciplinary programs is an attempt to align the quality of the courses and the graduate student competencies as set forth by each program. A syllabus evaluation form was developed and used systematically by three reviewers who gave each syllabus in the program a rating based on the three project target competencies and the listed indicators. For this project, three common components of syllabi were reviewed: learning outcomes, readings, and assignments. The findings suggest that a systematic syllabi review can be used to determine individual course alignment and for overall program evaluation. Findings also suggest that a syllabi evaluation form can be an effective tool to use in systematic syllabi reviews.