Students Give Graduate Center High Marks in Survey

More than 89% of Graduate Center master’s students and over 80% of doctoral students would recommend their program to other students considering graduate studies in their field. 

That feedback comes from the Graduate Center’s fall 2021 Student Experience Survey. The survey responses from 38% of master’s students and 37% of doctoral students — very high participation rates — show that the Graduate Center is excelling in many areas. The survey was designed to bring student voices into the Graduate Center’s planning process.  

“An essential part of leading is listening, and this survey lets us hear directly from our students,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Steve Everett. “Their overwhelmingly positive feedback highlights the Graduate Center’s successes. We’ve shared the survey results with the leaders and administrators of our nearly 50 doctoral and master’s programs and will incorporate the valuable student input as we continue to refine our academic offerings and student support services.”  

The survey covered a wide range of topics, including the quality of academic advising and teaching; support for diversity, equity, and inclusion; professional and career development; and community-building.  

“It is heartening to hear from students throughout the Graduate Center – in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences,” said Yun Xiang, associate dean for institutional effectiveness. “We are working to share and discuss the survey results with faculty, students, and staff. Moreover, we are running deeper analyses on the data related to diversity, equity and inclusion.” 

The results, now available in separate reports for doctoral students and master’s students, show that:  

Among Doctoral Students 

• 88% are satisfied with the quality of their education.  

• Over 85% agree that their adviser provides constructive feedback, shows concern, and is available when needed. 

• Over 80% feel there is value and respect for differences, including religious, ethnic, and sexual orientation, in their programs.  

Regarding the Graduate Center’s COVID-19 response:  

• 84% are satisfied with their instructors’ flexibility with attendance  

• 90% are satisfied with instructors’ response to student concerns. 

• 91% are satisfied with instructors’ availability. 

Among Master's Students:  

• 87% are satisfied with the quality of their education.  

• 85% rate the quality of their education and of faculty teaching as good or excellent. 

• Over 90% feel there is value and respect for differences, including religious, ethnic, and sexual orientation, in their programs. 

Regarding the Graduate Center’s COVID-19 response:  

• 92% are satisfied with their instructors’ flexibility with attendance  

• 91% are satisfied with instructors’ availability.  

• 89% are satisfied with the overall quality of instruction. 

Many students indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic lengthened the time they needed to complete their degree – 58% of doctoral students and 47% of master’s students. 

Areas for improvement indicated by the survey include:   

• Course scheduling for master’s students; 66% of master’s students are satisfied in this area.  

• Greater access to mental health support due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; 72% of master’s students and 59% of doctoral students are satisfied in this area.  

“With this feedback, we’re now more attuned to students’ diverse needs, including their challenges during COVID, and will be better equipped to address them,” said Everett. “I’m elated about our successes so far and confident that, going forward, we will excel at creating an academic community in which all students can thrive.”