2012 Alumni Survey
College Comparisons of Undergraduate Educational Goals
This document reports survey data
on college differences in respondents' assessment of educational goals held by NC State. Survey results for all respondents are provided in
2012 Alumni Survey: All Respondents. For information about the survey
and analysis methods, see 2012 Alumni Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile.
Communication Skills | Critical and Creative Thinking | Professionalism |
General Education | Diversity and Global Awareness
Communication Skills: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Importance: Communication skills overall | 3.91 | 3.91 | 3.92 | 3.93 | 3.85 | 3.93 | 3.95 | 3.83 | 3.95 | 3.92 |
| Importance: Writing effectively | 3.62 | 3.61 | 3.40 | 3.57 | 3.53 | 3.55 | 3.77 | 3.57 | 3.60 | 3.66 |
| Importance: Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 3.49 | 3.48 | 3.60 | 3.59 | 3.40 | 3.60 | 3.52 | 3.53 | 3.55 | 3.51 |
| Importance: Understanding written and oral information | 3.90 | 3.93 | 3.82 | 3.82 | 3.90 | 3.88 | 3.91 | 3.92 | 3.88 | 3.90 |
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Communication Skills: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Preparation: Communication skills overall | 3.27 | 3.29 | 3.20 | 3.21 | 3.07 | 3.31 | 3.46 | 3.01 | 3.40 | 3.35 |
| Preparation: Writing effectively | 3.22 | 3.21 | 2.72 | 3.04 | 3.02 | 3.27 | 3.52 | 3.02 | 3.29 | 3.27 |
| Preparation: Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 3.21 | 3.20 | 3.31 | 3.27 | 3.07 | 3.41 | 3.24 | 2.94 | 3.54 | 3.30 |
| Preparation: Understanding written and oral information | 3.45 | 3.49 | 3.23 | 3.22 | 3.35 | 3.47 | 3.58 | 3.34 | 3.56 | 3.44 |
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Critical and Creative Thinking: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Importance: Problem solving skills overall | 3.87 | 3.89 | 3.92 | 3.76 | 3.93 | 3.81 | 3.82 | 3.96 | 3.88 | 3.84 |
| Importance: Defining problems | 3.76 | 3.77 | 3.74 | 3.62 | 3.85 | 3.64 | 3.72 | 3.84 | 3.71 | 3.74 |
| Importance: Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 3.72 | 3.73 | 3.77 | 3.62 | 3.77 | 3.58 | 3.75 | 3.69 | 3.66 | 3.68 |
| Importance: Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 3.62 | 3.66 | 3.56 | 3.68 | 3.69 | 3.42 | 3.56 | 3.72 | 3.58 | 3.59 |
| Importance: Identifying relevant ideas/information | 3.69 | 3.74 | 3.71 | 3.67 | 3.71 | 3.57 | 3.69 | 3.69 | 3.74 | 3.67 |
| Importance: Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 3.56 | 3.63 | 3.58 | 3.67 | 3.56 | 3.35 | 3.51 | 3.61 | 3.53 | 3.62 |
| Importance: Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 3.72 | 3.76 | 3.60 | 3.63 | 3.78 | 3.55 | 3.66 | 3.79 | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Importance: Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 3.60 | 3.63 | 3.73 | 3.56 | 3.62 | 3.50 | 3.57 | 3.63 | 3.66 | 3.56 |
| Importance: Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 3.52 | 3.49 | 3.29 | 3.38 | 3.55 | 3.34 | 3.54 | 3.49 | 3.55 | 3.59 |
| Importance: Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 3.37 | 3.33 | 3.69 | 3.37 | 3.34 | 3.26 | 3.45 | 3.40 | 3.51 | 3.32 |
| Importance: Generating innovative solutions | 3.50 | 3.44 | 3.74 | 3.45 | 3.57 | 3.47 | 3.44 | 3.55 | 3.62 | 3.45 |
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Critical and Creative Thinking: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Preparation: Problem solving skills overall | 3.46 | 3.43 | 3.56 | 3.30 | 3.66 | 3.40 | 3.31 | 3.55 | 3.52 | 3.39 |
| Preparation: Defining problems | 3.34 | 3.31 | 3.34 | 3.14 | 3.50 | 3.28 | 3.27 | 3.29 | 3.36 | 3.30 |
| Preparation: Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 3.30 | 3.29 | 3.50 | 3.22 | 3.26 | 3.29 | 3.36 | 3.24 | 3.34 | 3.28 |
| Preparation: Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 3.31 | 3.37 | 3.23 | 3.20 | 3.37 | 3.19 | 3.26 | 3.35 | 3.34 | 3.28 |
| Preparation: Identifying relevant ideas/information | 3.33 | 3.37 | 3.24 | 3.16 | 3.32 | 3.27 | 3.38 | 3.26 | 3.33 | 3.33 |
| Preparation: Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 3.30 | 3.44 | 3.05 | 3.22 | 3.25 | 3.39 | 3.20 | 3.20 | 3.55 | 3.36 |
| Preparation: Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 3.43 | 3.44 | 3.45 | 3.29 | 3.46 | 3.35 | 3.43 | 3.47 | 3.45 | 3.38 |
| Preparation: Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 3.34 | 3.40 | 3.27 | 3.32 | 3.26 | 3.33 | 3.40 | 3.27 | 3.49 | 3.30 |
| Preparation: Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 3.20 | 3.18 | 3.11 | 3.13 | 3.11 | 3.19 | 3.34 | 3.13 | 3.23 | 3.20 |
| Preparation: Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 3.13 | 3.17 | 3.53 | 3.09 | 3.04 | 3.06 | 3.19 | 2.98 | 3.32 | 3.12 |
| Preparation: Generating innovative solutions | 3.11 | 3.09 | 3.58 | 3.01 | 3.14 | 3.13 | 3.06 | 2.91 | 3.42 | 3.11 |
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Professionalism: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Importance: Professional skills overall | 3.82 | 3.85 | 3.70 | 3.82 | 3.77 | 3.81 | 3.86 | 3.66 | 3.89 | 3.88 |
| Importance: Working independently | 3.69 | 3.72 | 3.66 | 3.58 | 3.63 | 3.67 | 3.75 | 3.68 | 3.67 | 3.68 |
| Importance: Working in teams | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.67 | 3.65 | 3.67 | 3.72 | 3.58 | 3.56 | 3.64 | 3.65 |
| Importance: Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 3.36 | 3.43 | 3.21 | 3.60 | 3.19 | 3.29 | 3.49 | 3.29 | 3.45 | 3.36 |
| Importance: Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 3.86 | 3.88 | 3.72 | 3.83 | 3.86 | 3.86 | 3.89 | 3.73 | 3.80 | 3.87 |
| Importance: Adapting to changing circumstances | 3.78 | 3.82 | 3.72 | 3.80 | 3.71 | 3.74 | 3.83 | 3.69 | 3.82 | 3.82 |
| Importance: Effectively leading/guiding others | 3.56 | 3.61 | 3.43 | 3.71 | 3.47 | 3.70 | 3.60 | 3.37 | 3.56 | 3.61 |
| Importance: Preparing for a career | 3.54 | 3.64 | 3.43 | 3.41 | 3.47 | 3.56 | 3.57 | 3.39 | 3.62 | 3.57 |
| Importance: Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 3.73 | 3.81 | 3.82 | 3.80 | 3.68 | 3.64 | 3.70 | 3.73 | 3.74 | 3.72 |
| Importance: Working under pressure | 3.79 | 3.80 | 3.84 | 3.85 | 3.73 | 3.80 | 3.81 | 3.67 | 3.82 | 3.82 |
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Professionalism: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Preparation: Professional skills overall | 3.31 | 3.39 | 2.98 | 3.24 | 3.25 | 3.39 | 3.26 | 3.09 | 3.53 | 3.43 |
| Preparation: Working independently | 3.45 | 3.48 | 3.46 | 3.32 | 3.41 | 3.33 | 3.50 | 3.47 | 3.45 | 3.45 |
| Preparation: Working in teams | 3.45 | 3.47 | 3.26 | 3.40 | 3.53 | 3.66 | 3.27 | 3.18 | 3.70 | 3.53 |
| Preparation: Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 3.20 | 3.28 | 3.00 | 3.31 | 3.12 | 3.19 | 3.21 | 3.04 | 3.26 | 3.28 |
| Preparation: Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 3.31 | 3.38 | 3.08 | 3.21 | 3.24 | 3.43 | 3.33 | 3.01 | 3.39 | 3.41 |
| Preparation: Adapting to changing circumstances | 3.15 | 3.24 | 3.03 | 3.20 | 3.07 | 3.17 | 3.16 | 2.97 | 3.30 | 3.17 |
| Preparation: Effectively leading/guiding others | 3.06 | 3.11 | 2.70 | 3.21 | 2.95 | 3.23 | 3.08 | 2.85 | 3.30 | 3.13 |
| Preparation: Preparing for a career | 3.17 | 3.33 | 2.89 | 3.21 | 3.20 | 3.24 | 2.98 | 2.86 | 3.42 | 3.27 |
| Preparation: Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 3.13 | 3.27 | 3.00 | 3.22 | 3.09 | 3.23 | 3.00 | 3.12 | 3.24 | 3.17 |
| Preparation: Working under pressure | 3.43 | 3.39 | 3.75 | 3.32 | 3.50 | 3.39 | 3.40 | 3.33 | 3.51 | 3.41 |
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General Education: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Importance: An overall general education | 3.69 | 3.76 | 3.54 | 3.80 | 3.57 | 3.69 | 3.73 | 3.58 | 3.78 | 3.73 |
| Importance: Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 3.47 | 3.51 | 3.41 | 3.56 | 3.41 | 3.52 | 3.49 | 3.29 | 3.59 | 3.46 |
| Importance: Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 3.34 | 3.40 | 3.39 | 3.38 | 3.32 | 3.35 | 3.38 | 3.21 | 3.49 | 3.25 |
| Importance: Formulating and testing hypotheses | 3.03 | 3.26 | 2.57 | 2.99 | 3.20 | 2.89 | 2.80 | 3.45 | 3.12 | 2.77 |
| Importance: Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 2.94 | 3.47 | 2.59 | 2.87 | 3.11 | 2.88 | 2.60 | 3.34 | 3.05 | 2.43 |
| Importance: Appreciating the arts | 2.67 | 2.61 | 3.50 | 2.88 | 2.37 | 2.67 | 3.01 | 2.46 | 2.94 | 2.60 |
| Importance: Appreciating the humanities | 2.76 | 2.72 | 2.91 | 3.08 | 2.43 | 2.65 | 3.31 | 2.34 | 2.79 | 2.65 |
| Importance: Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 2.81 | 2.85 | 2.70 | 3.14 | 2.37 | 2.74 | 3.33 | 2.50 | 2.80 | 2.80 |
| Importance: Applying mathematics skills | 3.26 | 3.37 | 2.70 | 3.38 | 3.58 | 3.20 | 2.69 | 3.63 | 3.35 | 3.37 |
| Importance: Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 3.18 | 3.45 | 3.25 | 3.46 | 3.24 | 3.06 | 2.98 | 3.29 | 3.14 | 2.97 |
| Importance: Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 3.73 | 3.76 | 3.70 | 3.73 | 3.70 | 3.67 | 3.74 | 3.60 | 3.67 | 3.78 |
| Importance: Being involved in public and community affairs | 3.11 | 3.18 | 3.11 | 3.32 | 2.83 | 3.24 | 3.35 | 2.80 | 3.04 | 3.18 |
| Importance: Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.55 | 3.67 | 3.50 | 3.55 | 3.47 | 3.53 | 3.53 | 3.41 | 3.60 | 3.61 |
| Importance: Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 3.75 | 3.86 | 3.75 | 3.83 | 3.66 | 3.66 | 3.81 | 3.69 | 3.71 | 3.74 |
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General Education: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Preparation: An overall general education | 3.68 | 3.77 | 3.43 | 3.64 | 3.60 | 3.65 | 3.74 | 3.60 | 3.73 | 3.70 |
| Preparation: Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 3.44 | 3.53 | 3.16 | 3.36 | 3.38 | 3.46 | 3.45 | 3.40 | 3.52 | 3.49 |
| Preparation: Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 3.24 | 3.34 | 3.11 | 3.19 | 3.15 | 3.23 | 3.31 | 3.09 | 3.44 | 3.23 |
| Preparation: Formulating and testing hypotheses | 3.21 | 3.46 | 2.63 | 3.04 | 3.31 | 3.19 | 3.08 | 3.40 | 3.39 | 2.94 |
| Preparation: Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 3.04 | 3.41 | 2.59 | 2.96 | 3.10 | 3.04 | 2.88 | 3.19 | 3.29 | 2.70 |
| Preparation: Appreciating the arts | 2.73 | 2.75 | 3.34 | 2.71 | 2.53 | 2.61 | 2.99 | 2.70 | 2.91 | 2.56 |
| Preparation: Appreciating the humanities | 2.97 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 3.08 | 2.67 | 2.79 | 3.49 | 2.80 | 2.95 | 2.84 |
| Preparation: Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 2.87 | 2.90 | 2.61 | 3.15 | 2.47 | 2.72 | 3.39 | 2.64 | 2.83 | 2.86 |
| Preparation: Applying mathematics skills | 3.35 | 3.39 | 2.70 | 3.32 | 3.73 | 3.35 | 2.85 | 3.64 | 3.58 | 3.39 |
| Preparation: Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 3.21 | 3.44 | 2.91 | 3.27 | 3.27 | 3.16 | 3.07 | 3.24 | 3.31 | 3.06 |
| Preparation: Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 3.23 | 3.30 | 3.02 | 3.17 | 3.19 | 3.30 | 3.21 | 3.02 | 3.33 | 3.28 |
| Preparation: Being involved in public and community affairs | 2.89 | 2.99 | 2.73 | 2.90 | 2.64 | 3.02 | 3.05 | 2.67 | 3.07 | 2.96 |
| Preparation: Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 2.92 | 3.04 | 2.71 | 2.95 | 2.81 | 3.09 | 2.90 | 2.69 | 2.95 | 2.99 |
| Preparation: Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 3.41 | 3.51 | 3.29 | 3.46 | 3.31 | 3.46 | 3.46 | 3.32 | 3.39 | 3.41 |
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Diversity and Global Awareness: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Importance: Diversity/global awareness overall | 3.30 | 3.28 | 3.52 | 3.47 | 3.10 | 3.19 | 3.52 | 3.15 | 3.43 | 3.34 |
| Importance: Having a tolerance for different points of views | 3.65 | 3.67 | 3.73 | 3.72 | 3.54 | 3.66 | 3.77 | 3.50 | 3.76 | 3.61 |
| Importance: Understanding diverse cultures and values | 3.40 | 3.39 | 3.50 | 3.62 | 3.20 | 3.34 | 3.65 | 3.25 | 3.56 | 3.39 |
| Importance: Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 3.22 | 3.25 | 3.36 | 3.28 | 3.01 | 3.10 | 3.45 | 3.01 | 3.34 | 3.24 |
| Importance: Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 3.41 | 3.45 | 3.48 | 3.44 | 3.25 | 3.31 | 3.59 | 3.28 | 3.47 | 3.39 |
| Importance: Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 3.23 | 3.18 | 3.21 | 3.18 | 3.08 | 3.16 | 3.49 | 3.05 | 3.24 | 3.27 |
| Importance: Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 3.12 | 3.10 | 3.13 | 3.37 | 2.87 | 2.98 | 3.45 | 3.01 | 3.25 | 3.05 |
| Importance: Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 3.10 | 3.09 | 3.13 | 3.29 | 2.86 | 2.99 | 3.40 | 3.01 | 3.19 | 3.04 |
| Importance: Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 2.89 | 2.91 | 3.00 | 3.04 | 2.61 | 2.69 | 3.22 | 2.83 | 3.19 | 2.80 |
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Diversity and Global Awareness: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | CALS | Design | CED | COE | CNR | CHASS | PAMS | COT | PCOM | |
| Preparation: Diversity/global awareness overall | 3.07 | 3.07 | 2.96 | 3.22 | 2.84 | 2.99 | 3.25 | 2.98 | 3.26 | 3.16 |
| Preparation: Having a tolerance for different points of views | 3.24 | 3.26 | 3.20 | 3.35 | 3.05 | 3.25 | 3.38 | 3.05 | 3.37 | 3.34 |
| Preparation: Understanding diverse cultures and values | 3.11 | 3.13 | 3.05 | 3.28 | 2.88 | 3.05 | 3.32 | 2.98 | 3.22 | 3.12 |
| Preparation: Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 2.95 | 3.00 | 2.93 | 3.06 | 2.71 | 2.90 | 3.19 | 2.77 | 3.08 | 2.97 |
| Preparation: Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 3.01 | 3.06 | 2.77 | 3.03 | 2.77 | 2.95 | 3.24 | 2.84 | 3.06 | 3.08 |
| Preparation: Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 2.95 | 2.93 | 2.93 | 2.94 | 2.69 | 2.96 | 3.27 | 2.70 | 2.87 | 3.01 |
| Preparation: Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 2.81 | 2.83 | 2.68 | 2.97 | 2.54 | 2.73 | 3.13 | 2.61 | 2.82 | 2.86 |
| Preparation: Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 2.79 | 2.81 | 2.71 | 2.81 | 2.55 | 2.77 | 3.08 | 2.60 | 2.78 | 2.81 |
| Preparation: Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 2.61 | 2.66 | 2.63 | 2.77 | 2.38 | 2.50 | 2.84 | 2.42 | 2.76 | 2.64 |
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Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu
Posted: July, 2012