Self-Study Report for Aviation Accreditation Board International
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Self-Study Report For Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Reaffirmation 2020 University of Dubuque Aviation Department 2000 University Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001 University of Dubuque – SSR 2019 Page 1 of 144 Executive Summary Enclosed is the Aviation Department’s self-study report for the three undergraduate programs at the University of Dubuque (UD): the Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Aviation Technology, the Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Flight Operations. In the fall of 2018, the Aviation department achieved a record number of students majoring in the three programs – 264. To support these students, the department employed 7 full-time faculty members, 6 adjunct faculty, 23 training aircraft, 17 full- time flight instructors, 10 part-time flight instructors, 4 full-time support staff, and 1 part-time support staff. Additionally, student workers supplemented administration, dispatch, and maintenance functions. This self-study is the third reaffirmation process as a result of accreditation in 2005, in addition to requesting accreditation for our newest program, the Bachelor of Science in Applied Aviation Technology. The Aviation Department strengths are: • Diverse and experienced faculty and staff • Technology embedded in aircraft with appropriate supporting simulation • Part 141 flight school with examining authority • FAA Letter of Authorization for R-ATP • Access to close-in training areas and the National Airspace System • Excellent graduate placement rates • Small class sizes with personalized faculty engagement with students and our philosophy of caring intrusiveness • Character development education The areas of continued improvement are: • Ability to support faculty and professional staff development • Classroom availability and supporting technology • Continual evolution of an outcomes-based assessment strategy • Logistics and streamlining of dual location operations (main campus and airport Babka Flight Center) The Aviation Department is a strong member and supporter of the University, and its faculty, staff, and students are well embedded in all of the University’s processes. The Mission-Vision-Action Statement for 1998-2008, as endorsed by the Board of Trustees on March 12, 1998, and reaffirmed with changes through 2018, continues to guide our efforts. Our self-study report is based on data primarily from the Fall 2018 and Spring of 2019. Over the past four years, the Aviation Department has increased its student body, added a helicopter track, a new major, opened a new airport flight center, and has grown into a more dynamic and diversified department. We continue to improve the quality and robustness of the education that we provide. All supplementary and supporting documents can be found on the UD website as well as on a page set up in Moodle (UD’s Learning Management System) specifically for tracking all data related to accreditation. The manner in which to access the Moodle page, and a listing of web pages, is located in Appendix G in this document. The University of Dubuque looks forward to an AABI visiting team to validate what we believe is a set of strong professional programs. University of Dubuque – SSR 2019 Page 2 of 144 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 SECTION I - INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 History, Mission, and Structure of the University: ..................................................................................................................... 8 University of Dubuque Mission 2018: .................................................................................................................................... 8 Aviation Department History: .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Aviation Department Mission: ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Aviation Department Student Learning Outcomes: ................................................................................................................. 10 Applied Aviation Technology:............................................................................................................................................... 10 Aviation Management: ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Flight Operations (Professional Aeronautics):...................................................................................................................... 10 Organization Structure: ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 University of Dubuque Organizational Chart ....................................................................................................................... 11 Aviation Program Organization Chart .................................................................................................................................. 12 SECTION II - STUDENTS ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 A. Student Criterion ................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Advising ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Transfer Students: ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Academic Major ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Admission ............................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Credit for Non-Collegiate Achievement ............................................................................................................................... 16 B. Supporting Information ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 Admission Data .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Quality of New Students ...................................................................................................................................................... 19 Enrollment Data ................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Grading System .................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Record Keeping .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Academic Performance ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Academic Advisement .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Student Activities ................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Graduates and Placement Data ........................................................................................................................................... 32 SECTION III - PROGRAM MISSION AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS .................................................................................................. 35 UD’s Mission ............................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Aviation Program Mission Statement and Goals ..................................................................................................................... 36 Program Level Learning on Professionalism: ....................................................................................................................... 38 A. Program Educational Objectives Criterion – Applied Aviation Technology .................................................................... 39 Educational Objectives: .......................................................................................................................................................