AN APPRAISAL OF THE UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM AT WAYNE STATE COLLEGE BASED ON A FOLLOW-UP OF THE GRADUATES FROM JANUARY, 1971, THROUGH DECEMBER, 1981 (MICHIGAN)

The Problem. The purpose of this study was to follow-up the business education graduates of Wayne State College from January, 1971, through December, 1981, in order to determine the effectiveness of the program at Wayne State College as perceived by the graduates. The Procedure. A questionnaire was designed and sent to 173 business education graduates who received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State College during the period of the study. Completed questionnaires were returned by 72 percent of those contacted. Findings and Conclusions. (1) The strengths of the business education program were the excellent teachers and the personal attention received from the instructors. (2) The weaknesses of the business education program were the methods class and the lack of training in the computer area. (3) Over three-fourths of the graduates felt there should be separate special methods courses for the basic business and the office skills area. (4) The graduates felt best qualified to teach typewriting, accounting, and shorthand. (5) The graduates felt least qualified to teach and least preferred to teach business law, economics, and shorthand. (6) A majority of the graduates felt instruction should be provided in the supervision and preparation of school publications. (7) Over one-half of the graduates felt some type of follow-up would be beneficial for first-year teachers. Recommendations. (1) The findings of this study be made available to the instructor of special methods in business education at Wayne State College. (2) The present special methods course be made into two separate methods courses--one methods course for the office skills area and one methods course for the basic business area. (3) A unit on supervision and preparation of school publications be added to the curriculum. (4) A follow-up of the graduates be conducted at least every five years