The National Doctoral Program Survey Instrument

The survey is divided into nine sections, covering Information for Prospective Students, Curricular Breadth & Flexibility, Teaching, Professional Development, Career Guidance & Placement Services, Time to Degree Completion, Mentoring, Program Climate, and Overall Satisfaction. Each section contains a number of questions to be answered on a four-point scale: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree (Don't Know and Not Applicable options are also available for each question). At the end of each section is a free response box for Additional Comments on that section. You may use this box to expand upon your response to any of the questions in that section.

IMPORTANT: You may select to have the comments you include in free response boxes publicly available on this Web site and any other formats by which the results are disseminated (if your doctoral program has sufficient response). NAGPS regards the material submitted to this site to be expressions of personal opinion, and does not undertake to assess, verify or correct the accuracy of any submissions. NAGPS takes no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, content, or quality of any comments posted on this site. Please refrain from identifying individuals either by name or other identifying information and avoid making comments that could be libelous or slanderous. NAGPS reserves the right, but not the obligation, at its sole discretion, to edit or remove any comments.

• "Doctoral program" means the Ph.D.-granting program in which you are now, or were previously, enrolled. In some cases a program is the same as a department, sometimes a program crosses several departments, and sometimes a department includes several programs. If your program starts as a master's degree program that rolls into a doctoral program, consider your experience in both programs together.

• "Advisor" means the one faculty member you have as your academic advisor, dissertation chair, or research supervisor whom you consider your primary formal advisor and with whom you work most closely.

A. Information for Prospective Students

1. My doctoral program provided me with the following information during my application and admissions process:
   1. Accurate information about the costs (total of tuition, fees, and living expenses) of the program.

   2. A realistic assessment of financial support (prospects for and levels of) while in graduate school.

   3. Clear information about the requirements and expectations of my program.

   4. Information about career prospects for Ph.D.s in my field.

   5. A list of places where recent program graduates were employed after graduation.

   6. The percentage of students in the program who complete the program with a Ph.D.

   7. The average time to degree for recent program graduates.

   
   

2. Overall, my program provided enough information during the application and admissions process for me to make an informed decision about choosing to pursue a Ph.D.

   
   Additional comments on Information for Prospective Students: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. My program's curriculum is broad enough to meet my needs and prepare me for my career of choice.

   
   

2. My program actively encourages students to explore a broad range of career options.

   
   

3. My program encourages students to broaden their education through non-required activities such as coursework outside of the department, internships, and workshops.

   
   

4. My program does a good job of preparing students for:
   1. academic careers

   2. careers outside of academia

   
   Additional comments on Curricular Breadth & Flexibility: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. Teaching assistants in my program are appropriately prepared and trained before entering the classroom.

   
   

2. Teaching assistants in my program are appropriately supervised to help improve their teaching skills.

   
   

3. Doctoral student needs and interests are given appropriate consideration for determining which courses students in my program teach.

   
   

4. The teaching experience available through my program is adequate preparation for an academic/teaching career.

   
   Additional comments on Teaching: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. Doctoral students in my program receive training in professional ethics and professorial responsibilities via coursework or seminars.

   
   

2. Doctoral students in my program receive training in professional skills such as public speaking, grant writing, and working in teams.

   
   

3. Doctoral students in my program receive sufficient resources such as office space, computer access, office equipment, and supplies.

   
   Additional comments on Professional Development: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. Doctoral students in my program receive effective career guidance and planning services for:
   1. careers in academia

   2. careers outside of academia

   
   
2. Doctoral students in my program receive effective placement assistance and job search support for:
   1. positions in academia

   2. positions outside of academia

   
   Additional comments on Career Guidance & Placement Services: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. My program gives me a clear, annual assessment of my progress towards the Ph.D.

   
   

2. A group of faculty members (in addition to my advisor) is keeping track of my research progress and will help to determine when I have accomplished enough work for my Ph.D. degree.

   
   

3. Insufficient funding slows my progress towards a degree.

   
   Additional comments on Time to Degree Completion: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. I am learning good research practice(s).

   
   

2. I receive ongoing, constructive feedback on my progress towards a Ph.D. from my advisor.

   
   

3. I am satisfied with the amount of time I spend with my advisor.

   
   

4. I am satisfied with the quality of the time I spend with my advisor.

   
   

5. I would feel comfortable talking to my advisor about a career
   1. in academia

   2. outside of academia

   
   
6. My own goals and research interests are incorporated into my doctoral dissertation.

   
   

7. There is a person or office I would turn to if I perceived abuse or misconduct in my program, by my advisor, or by a committee member.

   
   Additional comments on Mentoring: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. There is a supportive student community in my program.

   
   

2. Doctoral students in my program are treated with respect.

   
   

3. Doctoral students in my program are involved in decisions relevant to their education.

   
   

4. Faculty in my program believe students are here primarily to help faculty fulfill their research and teaching obligations.

   
   

5. My program actively recruits talented students from underrepresented groups.

   
   

6. My program provides an environment in which members of underrepresented groups feel comfortable and supported.

   
   

7. I have enough time and freedom to pursue interests and activities outside of my academic program.

   
   Additional comments on Program Climate: [Note]

   
   
   
   
   

1. I receive sufficient financial support to maintain an acceptable standard of living.

   
   

2. Overall, I am satisfied with the courses in my program.

   
   

3. Overall, I am satisfied with my advisor.

   
   

4. Overall, I am satisfied with my program.

   
   

5. Overall, students in my program seem satisfied with the program.

   
   

6. Overall, I would recommend my program to prospective students.

   
   Additional comments on Overall Satisfaction: [Note]