Alumni Survey Question
2
If you pursued a graduate
degree, do you feel that WSU students in political science and
public administration are sufficiently prepared for graduate school?
| ID# | Comments: |
| 001 | Many of the core classes offered in public administration at WSU are similar to the core classes offered at Mankato St. or Hamline. Ultimately though, an undergraduate with some experience in the public or non-profit sector will have a deeper understanding of the curriculum in a graduate degree program. |
| 008 | I received a good, solid liberal education from WSU, and my studies in political science gave me a good background in history, philosophy, current events, etc. which prepared me for further study. |
| 014 | The academic courses far exceed those of under-grad work. More intensive writing classes and/or oral presentation on almost any subject would be beneficial. Also, more analytical focus. |
| 026 | I felt the political science department at Winona was superb, and felt they prepared me quite well for law school. |
| 028 | Classes on major political & philosophical leaders were fundamental. Also analytical thinking and writing skills were developed in required essay exams and papers. |
| 036 | I was. I can’t speak for others. |
| 044 | Public Administration wasn’t offered when I was at Winona, but more emphasis on practical application would be useful. |
| 047 | Since I graduated in 1968 and have had virtually no contact with the school since, it would be inappropriate for me to be judgmental regarding the quality of current graduates. Speaking only for myself in 1969 when I started graduate school, I was not particularly well prepared. I lacked independent thinking and my writing skills were not polished. |
| 049 | It is up to the student. I was not, but that was my fault. |
| 051 | Except students need a good class in city/county management to learn each(s) structure and operation. |
| 055 | I am not sure if any one major program can prepare one for law school. However, emphasis on good writing skills and legal analysis were taught in certain WSU courses, which was beneficial. |
| 061 | The most important ability for graduate school is writing. WSU classes had many tasks requiring students to develop and improve writing skills. |
| 070 | I had a year off of school btwn undergrad and grad schools and didn’t have any problem getting back into the swing of things. Great pol.sci department at WSU! |
| 071 | I was pre-registered at U of Oklahoma in the Phd Program in Political Science, but Uncle Sam decided that my services were needed immediately after graduation- so my plans changed. |
| 072 | I am pursuing a graduate degree in business not political science or public administration, thus my undergraduate degree in political science did not sufficiently prepare me for a career or graduate degree in business. |
| 076 | Somewhat, some of the courses in the P.A. degree were to general in the "political science" area. The program could/should be tailored to actual public administration issues not just political science. |
| 080 | I believe classes that focus on more rational thought process and not so much the history of politics, are better geared for the work load in law school. However, I think more writing needs to focus on getting to the point, instead of flowerly language, clouding the meaning of the assignment. |
| 085 | I’m in graduate school for healthcare administration, and my prior education at WSU prepared me well. |
| 091 | Generally yes, However economics and statistics should be stressed more in the WSU program. Another class which maybe of some benefit is a hands on strategic planning and management class. |
| 094 | My graduate program is a broader repeat of my undergraduate degree course work. |
| 096 | I have been considering pursuing a graduate degree. |
| 098 | The discipline gained in doing term papers/class presentations combined with knowledge on how to do research were very valuable preparation tools for graduate study. |