Graduate Survey

The Department of Religion at Syracuse University is currently reviewing its programs. To help us in this process, we would appreciate your candid responses to the following questions. Your responses and comments will be recorded anonymously (unless you choose to identify yourself). If you encounter any difficulties with this form or process, please contact the department chair, Richard Pilgrim (315-443-2241; rbpilgri@syr.edu).

A. Educational Status and Support

1. Degree earned from S.U. Religion Department:

Master's
Ph.D.
Master's/Ph.D.

2. Status in the Religion Department:

Currently taking courses
Completed coursework
Passed comprehensive exams
Dissertation/thesis proposal accepted
Defended dissertation/thesis
Alumni. Degree granted in:

3. What financial assistance have you (or did you) receive for graduate study?:

University fellowship
Teaching assistantship
Other grants
None

4. If you received financial assistance, how long will (or did) it last?

5. What is your best estimate of how many years TOTAL it will take (or did take) you to obtain your degree?

6. What factors would help (or would have helped) you complete your degree more quickly?

Better advising
Higher financial support (TAs, fellowships, etc.)
Longer financial support(TAs, fellowships, etc.)
None
Other (list below)

B. Academic Program

1. Rate the following dimensions of academic quality in the Religion Department:

	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor
Academic standards
Integration of current developments in my field
Program space and facilities
Overall program quality

Please add any additional comments you may have:

2. Rate the following dimensions of the Religion Department's intellectual environment:

	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor
Intellectual quality of faculty
Intellectual quality of graduate students
Relationship between faculty and graduate students

Please add any additional comments you may have:

3. Rate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about the program:

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Ambivalent	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
Program activities foster a sense of intellectual community
Program content supports my research or professional goals
Program flexibility enhances my research goals

Please add any additional comments you may have:

C. Support for Professional Development

1. Teaching experience:

	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor
How useful have you found your training in basic teaching skills?

Check here if you have taught any courses that you developed yourself.

	Increased my interest	Made no difference	Decreased my interest
Did your overall experience affect your interest in teaching?

2. Research experience:

Check here if you have conducted independent research either during or after your graduate studies. If yes:

	Yes	No	Not applicable/ No opinion
Do you feel you received adequate training before beginning your own research?
Did you receive adequate faculty guidance in formulating a research topic?
Did you conduct research in collaboration with one or more faculty members?
Have you published one or more research papers as a sole author?
As co-author?
Have you published one or more books as a sole author?
As co-author?
Have you attended a professional conference?
Have you presented a paper or poster session at a professional conference?

3. Career counseling and job search:

	Yes	No	Not applicable/ No opinion
Did you enter your degree program intending to pursue a career in academia?
Did you receive advice about employment opportunities inside academia?
Did you receive advice about employment opportunities outside academia?
Did you receive advice on how to search for a job?
On how to prepare a resume or curriculum vitae?
On preparing for an interview?

D. Advising

1. All graduate students:

	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom/ never	Not applicable/ No opinion
Is information on degree requirements readily available?
Is information on degree requirements clear?
Are faculty and staff well-informed about degree requirements?
Have you had input into the design of your individual program of study?

2. Doctoral students and alumni only:

	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom/ never	Not applicable/ No opinion
Did you receive adequate advice on preparing for oral examinations?
Did you receive adequate advice on preparing for written examinations?
Did you receive adequate advice on developing your thesis proposal?
Was the process required to select a thesis advisor clear?
Did you receive adequate feedback on your research from your thesis advisor?
Did you receive adequate advice on the standards for academic writing in your field?
Did you receive adequate advice on how to avoid plagiarism and other violations of the standards of academic integrity?
Did you receive adequate feedback on your thesis drafts?
Did you receive adequate advice on preparing for your final defense?

Would you like to make any other comments about the S.U. Religion Department?