Institutional Effectiveness Certificate Program
The Institutional Effectiveness Certificate Program is intended to prepare the participants to contribute to institutional level assessment and accreditation committees, assist their institution and respective departments in the assessment of strategic objectives, and be able to advise, assist and instruct others in developing cycles of goal setting, measurement, data collection, process review and evaluation.
To receive an overall completion certificate, participants must complete a series of three courses which contain various learning activities delivered in an online, asynchronous format using the SUNY Center for Professional Development learning management system (LMS). See details of delivery and activities within each course description. Each course will require approximately 1 – 3 hours of “outside” course work.
Intended Audience
- Academic and Non-Academic Administrators
- Assessment Officers, Coordinators and Personnel
- Institutional Research Officers and Personnel
- Faculty Governance
- Institutional Effectiveness Officers and Personnel
- Student Affairs Personnel
- Business Affairs and Finance Officers
Program Prerequisites
Experience in assessment, planning project management or other relevant area and/or interest in becoming more conversant with assessment and its applications.
Sponsored by the SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD)
Learning Objectives
- Establish departmental goals which are aligned with the institution’s strategic plan and/or are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.
- Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for assessment of processes and services.
- Recognize sources of data for peer analysis and benchmarking.
- Participate in the evaluation of the campus’ current institutional/unit-level effectiveness initiatives and suggest areas for review and improvement.
- Document evidence of closing the loop and institutional improvement as a result of assessment activities.
Program Completion Requirements
To earn the Institutional Effectiveness Certificate, participants must complete all three courses. Badges will be awarded individually to allow participants maximum flexibility in taking what they need and want from the program without being obligated to complete the entire program.
Course Details
Course 1: Introduction to Institutional Effectiveness
Course Description: This course is designed to define, discuss and demonstrate how to develop an assessment process that will evaluate an institution’s overall institutional effectiveness. Areas of concentration will include defining institutional effectiveness, the role of mission and vision in the strategic planning process, and the establishment of department goals that are developed through the institution’s strategic plan that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Develop a definition for institutional effectiveness
- Discuss the importance of institutional mission/vision statements
- Explain the relationship between institutional mission/vision statements and institutional effectiveness
- Practice constructing strategic planning goals that align with the institution’s mission and vision statements
- Create Department Goals that align with the Strategic Plan
- Illustrate the ability to write SMART goals
- Construct an outline to assess institutional effectiveness
- Evaluate an institutional effectiveness case study
Completion Requirements for Course:
A series of assignments are incorporated into the course modules. In order to receive a passing evaluation, participants will have to earn a minimum of “Complete” on each assignment.
- Complete with Distinction – Student has exceeded the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Complete – Student has met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Incomplete – Student has not met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
Course Prerequisites:
Participants should have some pertinent experience in higher education. Participants should also have available by the opening session, a copy of their institutional missions/vision statements, last strategic plan, appropriate departmental goals, and a copy of their last accreditation review document.
Course 2: Research Methods for Institutional Effectiveness
Course Description: This course is designed for persons who wish to gain a general understanding of research tools used to evaluate institutional effectiveness. It offers an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods. Participants will develop their ability to read and critique research and determine what can be considered a viable, appropriate inquiry.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Define the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research
- Describe what constitutes quality research
- Increase confidence in working with research data
- Describe quality considerations in reporting research
- Recognize sources of data for peer analysis and benchmarking
Completion Requirements for Course:
A series of assignments are incorporated into the course modules. In order to receive a passing evaluation, participants will have to earn a minimum of “Complete” on each assignment.
- Complete with Distinction – Student has exceeded the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Complete – Student has met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Incomplete – Student has not met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
Course Prerequisites:
Participants should have a basic understanding of institutional mission and the purpose of gauging institutional effectiveness and should have access to Microsoft Excel and permission to use a set of institutional data.
Course 3: Championing Change: Applying Institutional Effectiveness on Your Campus
Course Description: Students will apply the knowledge gained in Course I and Course II by conducting an assessment at the unit or organizational level. During this process, students will examine how to engage others in unit assessment, understand the value of continuous process improvement, learn how organizational context may affect change efforts, and discover additional resources that can support their future assessment initiatives.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Write a unit assessment plan – Apply knowledge of research strategies; Apply knowledge of performance indicators
- Write a unit review – Engaging staff in the process; team building; Assessment versus evaluation
- Appreciate and understand continuous improvement – Institutional Effectiveness process analysis; Unit Key Performance Indicators
- Understand stages of change – Becoming an agent of change on your campus
- Understand Middle States Institutional Effectiveness Standards
- Increase confidence in locating Institutional Effectiveness resources
Completion Requirements for Course:
A series of assignments are incorporated into the course modules. In order to receive a passing evaluation, participants will have to earn a minimum of “Complete” on each assignment.
- Complete with Distinction – Student has exceeded the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Complete – Student has met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
- Incomplete – Student has not met the requirements and/or objectives of the assignment/course.
Course Prerequisites:
Participants should have the knowledge and competencies covered in Course 1 and Course 2. Students should complete Course 1 and Course 2 or students should review Course 1 and Course 2 course objectives and personally evaluate if they have those competencies already.
Course Pricing
Group Discounts Available
Additional discounts are available to groups of the following size attending the same program:
- 5-9 people = 10% discount
- 10-19 people = 15% discount
- 20-29 people = 20% discount
Please send your request to cpdinfo@suny.edu at least 30 days prior to the start of the course/program.
How to Pay
Available payment methods are:
- Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
- CPD General Points
- Campus Check
- Journal Transfer
FULL payment is required 30 days from the date of registration.
CPD Points: Check if your campus is a member. Prior approval is required. If points are denied, the registrant is responsible for the payment.
Journal Transfer (State Operated campuses only): An account number with authorizing signature for Journal Transfers is required within 48 hours. You must print and return the invoice that is included with the registration confirmation email.
Meet the Instructors
Elizabeth Seton Mignacca
Victor Sensenig
Vic Sensenig received his Ph.D. in Education Theory & Policy from Penn State University. He is the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Policy at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. He previously served as the Director of Institutional Research at SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi. He has presented research at meetings of the American Educational Research Association and the University Council for Educational Administration on topics including causality in institutional research, the differential impacts of budget cuts, and changes in the rates of return to education. He has published articles in such journals as the Journal of Education, Research in Higher Education, and the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Nicole Childrose
Registration
2025 Course Dates
Spring
- Course 1: Introduction to Institutional Effectiveness Jan. 7 – Feb. 17
- Course 2: Research Methods for Institutional Effectiveness Feb. 18 – March 31
- Course 3: Championing Change: Applying Institutional Effectiveness on Your Campus April 1 – May 12
Summer
- Course 1: Introduction to Institutional Effectiveness May 13 – June 23
- Course 2: Research Methods for Institutional Effectiveness June 24 – Aug. 4
- Course 3: Championing Change: Applying Institutional Effectiveness on Your Campus Aug. 5 – Sept. 15
Contact Us
The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) supports a wide range of professional development opportunities for the academic, technical, and leadership communities across the SUNY System.