Student Achievement Goals

Student Achievement Goals

Howard Payne University takes great pride in the achievements of its students, past and present. Testimonials of graduates and the enthusiastic large numbers of alumni who attend Homecoming and other events offered by Howard Payne University are in themselves strong indicators of the positive impact this University has on those who attend here. Howard Payne University regularly evaluates its success with respect to student achievement consistent with the University’s mission and strategic plan.

Howard Payne University has identified three student achievement goals with appropriate targeted criteria that are annually assessed and evaluated. The outcomes are reported annually.

Howard Payne University goals for success:

Goal 1: Students will successfully navigate the rigors of the academic environment from enrollment through graduation.

Target: Graduation rate of greater than 40% with an additional 15-20% persistence through graduation anticipated from students who transfer to other institutions.

Outcome:

Since 2016, HPU experienced six-year completion rates averaging 33% of all First-Time Full-Time students and 19% persistence through graduation from students who transferred from another institution. HPU experienced six-year completion rates averaging 53% for full-time transfer students starting in Fall 2016. This data is submitted through the National Student Clearinghouse and reported by the Student Achievement Measure Project (SAM). Click here to view HPU’s page on the SAM website. It is important to note that the 2016 cohort was interrupted by COVID semesters that might have influenced data collected.

The University also reports retention, graduation, and outcome data to The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and publishes links to this data. Click here to view HPU’s IPEDS data on the National Center for Education Statistics website.

IPEDS data is illustrated below by articulating various graduation rates for First-Time Full-Time students pursuing bachelor’s degrees, including visuals of male and female graduates as well as graduation rates by race/ethnicity beginning in Fall 2014 and Fall 2016 (Click to view larger image).

Click here to view HPU’s IPEDS data on the National Center for Education Statistics website. 

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate preparation to enter their chosen career/vocation.

Target: Greater than 55% of graduates will have had internship or vocational experiences as a part of their academic study.

Outcome: In 2022-2023, 80% of undergraduate graduating students participated in internships/mentorships or vocational experiences during their educational program.

  • Nursing –
    • Target: 100% of students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree (BSN) will secure a professional position before graduation.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 100% of students who graduated with a BSN degree secured a professional position before graduation.

Goal 3: Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of their chosen field, leading to job placement or graduate studies.

The University uses multiple measures to assess achievement of goal three through 1) various content area exams (i.e., ETS Major Field Exams); 2) Comprehensive Business Exam; 3) Area Concentration Achievement Tests; and 4) Licensure/professional examinations.

Targets and Outcomes:

1) ETS Major Field Exams and other nationally standardized exams — Sample program results:

  • Computer Information Systems –
    • Target: 60% of CIS majors will score above the national average on the Information Systems Analyst (ISA) nationally standardized exam.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 40% (2/5) of students scored above the national average (50%) and the HPU 10-year average with a score of 51.6%. The overall average for the 2022-2023 class was 49.6% with a high score of 61.8% and a low score tied at 42.7%.
    • Target: 60% of CIS majors will score above the national average on the “IS Strategy, Management, and Acquisition” critical thinking portion of the ISA nationally standardized exam.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 60% (3/5) of students scored above the national average on the “IS Strategy, Management, and Acquisition” portion of the ISA exam. The overall average for the 2022-2023 class was .9% higher than the national average.

2) Comprehensive Business Exam (CBE) –Business Administration and Accounting:

  • Target: Students will score basic or higher and proficient or higher on the CBE Common Profession Components exam within 5% of the corresponding percentages for students from peer institutions
  • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 100% of students who took the CBE scored basic or higher or proficient or higher and were within 5% of the corresponding percentages for peer institution students.
  • Target: Students will have an average score on the Glo-bus simulation within 5% of the overall average for all students worldwide.
  • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 100% of students who took the Glo-bus simulation scored an average score within 5% of the overall average for all students worldwide. 20% of HPU students who participated in the Glo-bus simulation placed in the weekly top 100 in at least one performance category in at least one week.

3) Area Concentration Achievement Tests (ACAT) – Sample program results:

  • Criminal Justice –
    • Target: 85% of the criminal justice majors will score between 400-600 on the ACAT.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 100% of the criminal justice majors scored between 400-600 (n=18) where 44% (n=8) scored above the target of 600 on the ACAT.

4) Licensure or Certification Exams – Sample program results:

  • Teacher Education –
    • Target: 85% of students who take the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam will experience a passing score (240) or above.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 88% (24/28) of students passed the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam.
    • Target: 85% of students who take the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) Educator Preparation Program (EPP) technical curriculum exam will experience a passing score (240) or above.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 92% (56/61) of students passed the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) Educator Preparation Program (EPP) technical curriculum exam.
  • Athletic Training –
    • Target: 85% of students who take the TDLR Texas Athletic Training Licensure (optional) will experience a passing score or above.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 100% of students (n=1) taking the TDLR Texas Athletic Training Licensure passed all portions of the licensure exam.
  • Personal Training–
    • Target: 75% of students who take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer certification exam will experience a passing score or above.
    • Outcome: In 2022-2023, 75% of students (n=4) taking the ACE Personal Training Certifications exams experienced a passing score or above.

Apply Now!

 Ready to get started on your lifelong journey as an HPU Yellow Jacket?​ Apply for free today!