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In the newly released report of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Miami University first-year students and seniors ranked their academic experiences higher than those at regional and national peer universities. Comparing benchmark scores, Miami ranked higher in areas of level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction and enriching educational experiences.
The NSSE obtains annual information from colleges and universities nationwide about student participation in school-provided programs and activities that contribute to students' learning and personal development. This year, 610 schools participated. At Miami, 1,407 students responded to the survey.
Among academic challenge areas in which Miami students reported strong experiences:
• 87 percent of seniors felt Miami placed substantial emphasis on academics compared to 78 percent of seniors among peer universities.
• 82 percent of Miami first-year students reported substantial emphasis on application of theories or concepts compared to 73 percent at peer schools.
• 58 percent of Miami seniors had had foreign language course work while only 40-43 percent of seniors did at regional and national universities on average.
In the areas of collaborative learning and student-faculty interaction, Miami students reported this:
• By their senior year, 70 percent of Miami students had participated in a practicum, field experience, co-op or clinical assignment, compared to 51-55 percent among national and regional peer universities, respectively.
• 44 percent of first-year students and 74 percent of seniors work with peers on assignments outside of class, compared to 39-40 percent among other first-years and 59 percent among other seniors.
• By senior year, 30 percent of Miami students have done research with a faculty member, compared to 18-19 percent at regional and national peer universities.
Regarding enriching experiences -- those that the NSSE also calls complementary learning opportunities -- the survey shows:
• 37 percent of Miami seniors have studied abroad, compared to 13 percent at regional and national peer universities.
• 59 percent of first-year and 58 percent of seniors at Miami report having serious conversations with student who are very different in political, religious or personal beliefs, compared with 34-39 percent of other first-years and 59-60 percent of other seniors.
• 84 percent of Miami seniors report having finished a culminating experience (capstone or thesis) while only 29-32 percent of seniors in peer groups had such an experience.
"The NSSE scores reflect Miami's success in developing strong student engagement with faculty. We will continue to innovate to promote even greater student scholarship. We believe that student engagement is a defining characteristic of Miami's undergraduate education," said Jeffrey Herbst, Miami provost.
In the first National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in 2000, Miami earned the designation of "strong performer." Since then, Miami scores have stayed strong or risen.
The survey is conducted by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University. The report is online at NSSE report.
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