The Office of Assessment and Planning administers a variety of surveys that provide insight into student learning, student engagement, the student experience, and post-graduation outcomes. Findings are used to support institutional effectiveness, strategic planning, accreditation, program review, and continuous improvement efforts across the university.
Institutional Surveys
These internally developed surveys allow SCSU to assess students’ experiences and feedback during their time as a student and alumni.
First Year Experience Survey (FYE)
The First-Year Experience (FYE) Survey is administered annually each fall semester to first-year students at Southern Connecticut State University. The survey is designed to assess students' early experiences during their transition to college, including academic preparation, course placement, advising, student support services, engagement opportunities, sense of belonging, and perceptions of the university environment. Findings are used to evaluate the effectiveness of onboarding and first-year support initiatives, identify areas where students may benefit from additional resources, and inform institutional planning, student success efforts, and continuous improvement activities across the university.
- Population: First-Year Students
- Frequency: Annually (Fall semester)
Southern Experience Survey (SES)
The Southern Experience Survey (SES) is an annual survey administered each spring to sophomore- and junior-level students at Southern Connecticut State University. The survey is designed to assess students' academic experiences, engagement with campus resources, sense of belonging, advising experiences, transfer student experiences, and perceptions of the university environment. Findings are used to inform institutional planning, student success initiatives, accreditation activities, program review, and continuous improvement efforts across the university.
- Population: Sophomore and Junior Students
- Frequency: Annually (Spring semester)
Graduate & Professional Student Experience Survey (GPSES)
The Graduate & Professional Student Experience Survey (GPSES) is administered biennially during the fall semester to graduate and professional students at Southern Connecticut State University. The survey is designed to assess students' academic experiences, advising, engagement with faculty and campus resources, program satisfaction, course delivery preferences, and overall perceptions of the graduate student experience. Findings are used to support graduate program planning, student success initiatives, institutional effectiveness efforts, accreditation activities, and continuous improvement efforts aimed at enhancing the graduate and professional student experience.
- Population: Graduate Students
- Frequency: Biennially (Fall semester)
Alumni Surveys
SCSU administers alumni surveys at multiple points following graduation (6-months, 2-years, and 5-years) to better understand career outcomes, continuing education, satisfaction with the university experience, and the long-term impact of an SCSU education. Collectively, these surveys provide valuable information about graduates' educational and professional pathways and help inform institutional improvement efforts.
- Population: SCSU Alumni (6-months, 2-years, 5-years post-graduation)
- Frequency: Annually (Winter and Summer)
External Benchmarking Assessments
These nationally administered assessments allow SCSU to benchmark student learning and engagement against peer and national institutions.
Collegiate Learning Assessment Plus (CLA+)
Administered biennially to samples of first-year and senior students, the Collegiate Learning Assessment Plus (CLA+), developed by the Council for Aid to Education (CAE), is a nationally recognized assessment of critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and written communication skills. Because the CLA+ is used by colleges and universities across the country, results allow SCSU to benchmark student learning outcomes and educational effectiveness against peer and national institutions while informing continuous improvement efforts.
- Population: First-Year and Senior Students
- Frequency: Biennial (Fall and Spring semesters)
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
Administered biennially to first-year and senior students, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), developed by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research, collects information about students' participation in educationally purposeful activities and their experiences both inside and outside the classroom. As one of the most widely used higher education surveys in North America, NSSE provides benchmarking data that allows SCSU to compare student engagement and educational experiences with peer and national institutions while identifying opportunities to enhance student success.
- Population: First-Year and Senior Students
- Frequency: Biennial (Spring semester)Assessment Reports
Assessment Reports
The Office of Assessment and Planning takes the results from the assessment activities described above and compiles them into reports and executive summaries that are shared with the campus community. Faculty and staff can access available reports through our Confluence site using their university login credentials.