PMC Program Performance

Overview June 6, 2018

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Performance

Students enrolled in the Post-Master’s Certificate program at the San José State University School of Information must meet the following requirements, in order to complete the program and earn their Post-Master’s Certificate in Library and Information Science:

Complete all 16 units within three years.
Maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which is an average grade of “B”
Demonstrate that they meet the Post-Master’s Certificate overarching program student learning outcomes (effective beginning fall 2014)

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Based Assessment

The iSchool has developed a set of Program Learning Outcomes that are focused on the core competencies of our profession.

After completing the 16 units required in the Post-Master’s Certificate program, as a final step before earning their certificate, students will demonstrate that they meet the Post-Master’s Certificate overarching program student learning outcomes by:

Selecting a communications technology tool of their choice (e.g. screencast, blog)
Using the selected communications technology tool to briefly illustrate how their course work helped them address the Post-Master’s Certificate program student learning outcomes, as follows:
- Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies
- Use service concepts, principles, and techniques to connect individuals or groups with accurate, relevant, and appropriate information

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Retention Data for Certificate Students

As students pass through the 16 unit Post-Master’s Certificate program, there are several key transition points where we monitor retention rates:

After the required one unit INFO 203. This class – Online Social Networking – is the first class taken by students admitted into the Certificate program. Students are required to pass the class in order to continue. One of the purposes of the class is to help determine if a student is equipped for the online environment.

**Table 1. INFO 203 Retention and Pass Data**
Semester	Certificate Enrolled by Semester’s End	Certificate Withdrawn /Dropped	Certificate Total Enrolled by iSchool Office	NC	CR	Certificate Retention Rate	Pass Rate
Spring 2012	26	3	29	0	26	90%	100%
Fall 2012	22	4	26	0	22	85%	100%
Spring 2013	15	6	21	0	15	71%	100%
Fall 2013	15	11	26	1	14	58%	93%
Spring 2014	14	9	23	2	12	61%	86%
Fall 2014	26	3	23	0	23	85.5%	100%
Spring 2015	13	3	16	0	13	81%	100%
Fall 2015	15	0	15	0	15	100%	100%
Spring 2016	14	6	20	0	14	70%	100%
Fall 2016	13	2	15	0	13	87%	100%
Spring 2017	7	0	7	0	7	100%	100%
Fall 2017	5	1	6	0	5	88%	100%
Spring 2018	8	0	8	0	8	100%	100%
Fall 2018	7	1	8	0	7	88%	100%
Spring 2019	9	1	10	0	9	90%	100%
Fall 2019	10	1	11	0	10	91%	100%
Spring 2020	5	3	8	0	5	63%	100%
Fall 2020	9	1	10	0	9	90%	100%
Spring 2021	13	4	17	0	13	76%	100%
Fall 2021	14	2	16	0	14	88%	100%

Certificate Student Performance in Pathway Coursework. After students have successfully completed INFO 203, students are free to take courses from among the foundational and recommended courses in the certificate pathway of their choosing, including the option of selecting one (non-repeatable) 3-unit internship.
Table 2. Data about Certificate Students’ Grades

Student Achievement by Pathway, through Aug 2021	Active/ Completed Certificate Students	Students with B or above GPA
Data Science	5	100%
Digital Archives and Records Management	44	90%
Digital Curation	7	100%
Digital Services and Emerging Technologies	37	100%
Information Intermediation	15	100%
Leadership and Management	12	100%
Web Programing	15	100%
Youth Services	8	100%
Total	143	average 99%

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3. Certificate students are surveyed as they exit the program.

The Post-Master’s Certificate Program first admitted students in spring 2012. The school has administered a post-completion Post-Master’s Certificate exit survey to gather information from those students about program quality at the end of each semester. 100% of Fall 2019 program finishers (n = 5) completed the most recent survey in January of 2020.

Key Findings

100% of survey respondents said the quality of the formal learning activities provided was very good, good or average.
80% of survey respondents said they would recommend the Post-Master’s program to others.

The survey also provided insight regarding the employment trends of our recent Post-Master’s graduates, such as:

100% of respondents were working full-time at the time they completed the Post-Master’s Certificate.
100% of Employed respondents worked in academic or public, or archival library settings.

Students reflected on their reasons for recommending the Post-Master’s program:

“I would recommend the program because the instructors are very knowledgeable in what they teach, they are boots on the ground in their fields. Also, SJSU has a good reputation for being tech-forward. I learned a great deal and the PMC allowed me to change directions in my career.”

“1. Flexibility 2. High quality faculty 3. New and relevant topics 4. Extensive support services 5. Well-organized system to ensure success 6. Helpful and friendly staff 7. Innovative subjects.”

“It provided courses that did not exist back when I was in library school. In addition, courses that I took in the certificate program are relevant to the work I do.”

“Online study allowed me to balance my time between my full time work and studies – SJSU iSchool professors are very knowledgeable, are very open, and helpful – the variety of courses helped me choose the right ones for my path.”

Completion Rate

On average, Post-Master’s Certificate students complete the program in 1.5 years.

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Post-Master’s Certificate Profiles

In addition to our survey results above, we invite you to learn more about the accomplishments of some of our Post-Master’s Certificate students who have been featured in the school’s Community Profile series:

Digital Archives and Records Management

Digital Services and Emerging Technology

Information Intermediation and Instruction

Kathy Anderson