Graduate Program Awareness Project

Fall 2016 G.P.A. Survey Results
There are many resources available at Texas State University to support graduate students as they move through their degree programs. However, graduate students who are just beginning their studies may be more aware of some resources than others.
The Graduate College is interested in which resources new graduate students are aware of, and not aware of, so that we can provide appropriate and useful information to our graduate student population. The “What’s Your G.P.A.” project seeks to understand graduate students’ awareness of those resources at the beginning and end of their first year of their graduate degree.
In September, The Graduate College sent a survey to all incoming graduate students asking them about their level of awareness of 30 different university resources. Of those incoming students, 412 completed the survey, for a 37% return rate. (Out of those 412 students entering a graduate program and completing the survey, 142 had previously completed their undergraduate degree, or another graduate program, at Texas State. We are presenting the results of all incoming graduate student survey completers, whether this is their first, second, or third degree at Texas State.)
Below we provide the results of that survey, along with a “where to get started” link to information about the university resource each question focuses on.
Our goal: to increase awareness in each area by 10% by the end of the following semester. Our process includes targeted social media information dissemination, information inclusion in workshops, and discussion with students, faculty, and staff about some of the resources throughout the year. The second, end-of-the-first-year survey will be sent in late spring semester to understand what resources students are aware of after completing a year in their program.
Click on the questions below to see the results of the survey and some suggestions about where to get information about each resource. For questions about this project, please contact Associate Dean Eric Paulson.
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How aware are you of the degree requirements (courses, etc.) for your program?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Graduate Catalog. Your program’s website may have this information, and your program advisor definitely will! -
How aware are you of where to find information about your status in your degree program (classes still needed, grades, benchmarks, etc.)?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Registrar’s website (plus a helpful video tutorial). -
How aware are you of whom to ask about program advising?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...your program advisor and/or your department chair – they are excellent contacts for this purpose. -
How aware are you of where to find your degree audit?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...CATSWEB – scroll to “Academic Records”. -
How aware are you of whom to contact with questions about the degree process?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Graduate Catalog. Your program’s website may have this information, and your program advisor definitely will! -
How aware are you of the names of faculty members in your program?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...your program’s website, and, of course, your program advisor! -
How aware are you of the graduate course catalog and the pertinent information it provides?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Graduate Catalog. -
How aware are you of what the GradBulletin is and when it comes out?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...The Graduate College's GradBulletin web page. -
How aware are you of resources offered by the library?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...Alkek Library’s services for graduate students web page and the Round Rock Campus library resources web page. -
How aware are you of where to find information about graduate assistantships?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...The Graduate College’s assistantship web page. -
How aware are you of who your program's subject librarian is?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the library’s subject librarian web pages. -
How aware are you of the role of the Graduate House of Representatives?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Graduate House of Representatives web pages. -
How aware are you of where the counseling center is located and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Counseling Center website. -
How aware are you of where the health center is located and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Student Health Center website. -
How aware are you of whom to ask about campus safety?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the University Police website and the safety site. -
How aware are you of where to find information about parking regulations, permits, and availability?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Parking Services website. -
If you are an international student, how aware are you of services offered to international students? (if you are not an international student, please leave this question blank)
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. -
How aware are you of where to find financial aid information?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Financial Aid and Scholarships website. -
How aware are you of where the campus recreation center is located and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Student Recreation Center website. -
How aware are you of where to find a campus map?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Campus Maps website. -
How aware are you of where the Office of Disability Services is and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Office of Disabilities Services website. -
If you are a veteran, how aware are you of services offered to veterans? (if you are not a veteran, please leave this question blank)
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Office of Veterans Affairs website. -
How aware are you of where to find information about scholarship opportunities?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Financial Aid and Scholarships website and The Graduate College scholarship web page. Various department websites have this information as well. -
How aware are you of where the Writing Center is and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Writing Center website. -
How aware are you of where to find information about preparing for the job market after graduation?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Career Services website. -
How aware are you of the workshops available for degree success, research development, and career preparation?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Grad College Shop Talks web page. -
How aware are you of where to find general technology support?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
the ITAC website. -
How aware are you of where to find support for using TRACS?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the TRACS Support website. -
How aware are you of where SLAC is and the services it offers?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the SLAC website. -
How aware are you of responsible conduct of research aspects like IRB and IACUC?
A good place to get started with this resource includes...
...the Research Integrity & Compliance website. -
Which college are you in?
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Which degree are you enrolled in?
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When you began your graduate degree, did you attend any new student orientations? Choose all that apply.