How Do Undergraduate Business Programs Contribute to Students’ Skills?

The results from the Management Education Assessments illuminate which learning outcomes and key dimensions of the program are the strongest and which areas need to be improved. This report focuses on students’ perceptions of skill development within their business programs.

The Management Education Assessments measure program effectiveness from the student’s perspective. The knowledge gained from these assessments drives and sustains continuous improvement programs and supports accreditation efforts. EBI Management Education Exit Assessments are comprehensive evaluations of the learning outcomes, effectiveness of institutional resources and the overall educational experience of graduates. In 2009-10, the EBI Undergraduate Business Assessment was completed by 21,727 respondents from 121 institutions.

Overall, the majority of respondents reported the business program had enhanced key skills and abilities including critical thinking and problem solving skills, communication and teamwork skills, management and leadership skills, as well as the ability to use and manage technology. Respondents with lower entrance test scores were more likely than other respondents to indicate the business program had enhanced their abilities in areas related to communication and teamwork, management and leadership, and use of technology. Respondents who were satisfied with the level of camaraderie with classmates were more likely than other respondents to report their programs enhanced their skills.

1. Business programs enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as communication and team work skills.

   • About 65% of respondents indicated the business program enhanced their ability to analyze and interpret data, define and solve problems, and think critically.
   • At least 60% of respondents indicated the business program enhanced their presentation skills and their ability to work in teams.
   • Four out of ten respondents indicated the business program enhanced their writing skills.

2. Business programs enhance students’ management and leadership skills, as well as, their ability to use and manage technology.

   • Six out of ten respondents reported the business program enhanced their ability to be an effective leader and manager.
   • About one-half of respondents indicated the business program enhanced their ability to use and manage technology.

3. Students with lower incoming test scores are more likely to indicate the program enhanced their abilities related to team work, effective management and leadership skills, and the use and management of technology.

   • Respondents with SAT scores less than 1030, or ACT scores less than 22, were more likely than other respondents to indicate the business program enhanced their ability to work in teams, their writing skills, their ability to be an effective manager, and their use and management of technology.

4. Students who are satisfied with the level of camaraderie with fellow classmates rate the quality of their courses more highly and are more likely to be satisfied with their required and major courses than other students.

   • More than 70% of respondents who were satisfied with the level of camaraderie indicated the business program enhanced their ability to analyze and interpret data, solve and define problems, and think critically. Only four in ten students who were dissatisfied with the level of camaraderie had similar responses.
   • Although seven out of ten respondents who were satisfied with the level of camaraderie indicated the business program enhanced their ability to work in teams, only one-quarter of respondents who were dissatisfied with the level of camaraderie said the same.

Conclusion

Most respondents indicated their business program enhanced their skills related to critical thinking and problem solving, communication and team work, management and leadership, as well as, technology. Respondents with lower SAT/ACT scores were more likely than other students to report their program had enhanced their skills. Respondents who were satisfied with the level of camaraderie were also more likely than other respondents to indicate the program had enhanced their skills.

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