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Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Graduate Student Survey

Graduate Student Survey: 2020-2021

The SDSU Graduate Student Survey was administered in Spring 2021 to provide information about graduate students’ employment plans, volunteer service, military service, or additional education. The report assesses the career paths and educational pursuits of the graduates.

Methods
Spring 2021 was the pilot year for the survey. It was sent electronically to graduate students who completed the graduation application (n=303).

Response Rate
120 of the 303 graduate students who received the survey participated (response rate of 39.6%).

Results
Most graduate students who completed they survey were either employed (n=70), plan to pursue additional training (n=9) or take a post-doc fellowship/research position (n=8). 56.8% of respondents were employed in South Dakota.

Overall Satisfaction

83.8%
I Would Come to SDSU Again for My Graduate Degree
88.4%
Quality of Graduate School Experience Met Expectations
97.3%
SDSU Graduate Studies Supported My Career Goals

Number of Participants by Graduate Degree

What type of graduate program did you participate in?

58.3%

Master's

10.8%

Ph.D.

23.3%

Pharm.D.

1.7%

D.N.P.

5.8%

Other

Post-Graduation Plans

Which of the following BEST describes your PRIMARY activity after graduation?

5.0%
Career in Government Agency
24.4%
Career in Private Sector
9.2%
Career in Educational Institution
20.2%
Continue Current Employment
5.8%
Pursue Additional Training at Other Institution
1.7%
Pursue Additional Training at SDSU
6.7%
Post-Doctoral Fellowship or Research Position
17.6%
Looking for Employment
3.4%
Uncertain
5.9%
Other

Primary Activity

I agree my post-graduate activity:

95.0%
Related to SDSU Program of Study
76.5%
Required Completion of Program/Degree
96.7%
Required Knowledge and Skills Obtained through Education
66.7%
Entry Level Position

Assistance in Degree Completion

During your time as a graduate student, which of the following were the most important sources of information to assist you in degree completion? (multi-select)

55
Major Advisor
29
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor
11
Graduate Committee
33
Graduate School Staff
28
Graduate Coordinator or Department Head
7
Departmental Guidelines or Handbook
55
Other Graduate Students
30
Other Faculty
14
SDSU Graduate Catalog/Website
4
Other

Satisfaction with Graduate School Office

Thinking about your experience with the graduate school office, I agree:

98.8%
Staff Treat Me Fairly and with Respect
97.6%
Staff Responded to my Questions
96.3%
Staff Responded to my Concerns
93.7%
Staff Explained Policies or Processes
90.0%
Good Information was Provided at Graduate Student Orientation

Feedback on Department

I agree my department:

94.6%
Provided an Intellectually Stimulating Environment
94.6%
Helpful in Responding to Questions/Concerns
95.5%
Faculty Treated Me Fairly and With Respect
93.7%
Faculty Supported my Well-Being
96.4%
Staff Treated Me Fairly and With Respect

Satisfaction with Advisors

I agree my advisor:

97.3%
Treat Me Fairly and with Respect
93.7%
Helped Me Understand, Requirements, Expectations, and Procedures
91.0%
Provided Me Opportunities for Professional Development
90.9%
Helpful in Responding to Questions and Concerns