Revisiting the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate

Trials, successes and failures

M.E. Estevez, K.C. Dominick, P.R. Bergethon, T. Hoagland, M. Moss
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Schools of Medicine

Background -2004 Vesalius Program Development Student Representation and

The Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate (CID) was Communication
The Qualifying Examination was changed from a
a multi-year research and action project intended high stakes content-summative assessment to an
to support departments' efforts to more authentic assessment model using an NRSA grant Student representation has a three formal structures:
purposefully structure their doctoral programs. The •  GMSSO Graduate Medical Sciences Student
format with oral defense as the evaluation
initiative had three interacting elements: a Organization) – with representation at the Division
procedure. Formative feedback is provided to
conceptual analysis of doctoral education, the Level
students during the QE process. •  Departmental Omsbudsman for all graduate
design of experiments in departments, and
dissemination of research results. In 2004 during students
the initiation of the CID project within the
…and the survey says!! •  Student representation (2) on the Graduate
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Advisory Committee
Query: I found my qualifier exam a good tool for
Boston University School of Medicine, a student assessing my progress/knowledge in the field.
survey was distributed to all graduate students Agree Disagree …and the survey says!!
within the department as a descriptive assessment
of the state of the department. Student opinions 2004 27% 19%
2008 27% 9% Query: There are adequate resources in the
on topics including curriculum, professional
Department in case of perceived abuse or
development, career guidance, time to completion
misconduct towards graduate students.
of degree, advisor mentorship, and department Professional Skills Course Agree Disagree
climate were measured. Based on the results of
The overall goal of this new course is to provide a All Students: Vesalius Students: 2004 41% 26%
this survey as well as participation in many 2008 82% 18%
formal opportunity to address two topics that had -serve as teaching assistants 1
dialogues with partnering CID departments, five semester per year in the medical In addition to the regular
.
focused changes were made to improve the been left to the discretion of individual graduate and dental school courses of requirements, students on the
anatomy, histology, or Vesalius track take the Query: Students in the Department are treated with
doctoral program in the Department of Anatomy advisors. The first is to provide students with neurosciences. following two courses:
respect.
training in some of the professional skills. The -Attend annual T.A. orientation* - GMS AN804: “Teaching in
and Neurobiology. These changes included: the Biomedical Sciences I”, 2 Agree Disagree
second is to provide a forum for discussions of -Receive mid- and end-semester credits, methods and theory
•  revision of the qualifying exam process. written evaluations to include in 2004 69% 23%
research ethics in the specific context of their teaching portfolio* - GMS AN805: “Teaching in
•  formalization and refinement of the Vesalius - Receive opportunities to teach
the Biomedical Sciences II - 2008 91% 9%
work. Practicum”, 4 credits,
Program. formal lectures in the medical or mentored teaching practicum
dental school courses. experience*
•  development of a professional skills course Query: I feel my voice is heard when I have
for first year graduate students.
…and the survey says!! concerns or issues within the Department.
•  the development of a student representative Agree Disagree
Query: Students in the Department receive training 2004 37% 56%
organization.
•  the development of an alumni network.
in professional ethics via coursework or seminars. …and the survey says!! 2008 64% 27%
Agree Disagree
2004 65% 23%
2008 82% 9% Query: Teaching experience available through the
. department is adequate preparation for an academic/
Now, in 2008 we have assessed the relative short Query: Students in the Department receive training teaching career.
Conclusions
term results of these changes that were inspired in professional skills such as public speaking, grant Agree Disagree The successful implementation and some change in
by our participation in the CID by resurveying writing, and publications. 2004 69% 12% satisfaction indices to over 80% of the CID initiatives
students. All members of the current PhD program Agree Disagree 2008 64% 9% suggests an enduring effect of the CID. We believe
were invited to participate in this survey that 2004 31% 62% . that there may be value for continued longitudinal
Measured satisfaction in a variety of areas of PhD 2008 64% 27% characterization in the future.
Student life.