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Self-Assessment of Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences

Narrative Guide and Companion Survey Instruments
(PDF, 252KB)

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A key feature of the 1998 GREAT Group annual conference was a session devoted to the work of the GREAT Group Task Force on Benchmarks of Success in Graduate Programs. This Task Force was appointed by the GREAT Group membership following discussions taking place at earlier GREAT Group meetings on the value of having graduate programs periodically conduct a formal process of self-assessment to discern the extent to which they are meeting their goals. Program directors also expressed the desire for resources to assist in the task of defining goals and identifying the indicators that allow assessment of whether their objectives are being achieved.The Task Force on Benchmarks of Success in Graduate Programs worked over the course of a year to develop such a resource, which is now available electronically. The purpose of the guide is to outline for graduate programs a process by which they can develop and measure their own "success," however they choose to define it. This guide is not prescriptive and thus does not impose on programs any particular criteria or approach. Rather, it is suggestive, pointing to a wide array of possibilities and outlining a model process that users of this guide should adapt to their own particular circumstances and priorities.

A companion to this narrative guide is a set of survey instruments. These are tools to allow programs to conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments of their own programmatic and educational characteristics. You are encouraged to utilize the surveys at your own institution.

It is important to note that this project is not a prelude to further accreditation of graduate programs, most of which are already accredited by state, regional, or local accrediting bodies. Nonetheless, the AAMC and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) do encourage self-evaluation for the purposes of maintaining the quality of Ph.D. education, and thus this document was conceived of and prepared by the GREAT Group as a resource to its own membership. Input on this guide and other aspects of this project are welcome and may be addressed to the GREAT Group Executive Secretary.