To assist in addressing current issues in doctoral education, this chapter presents a particular framework for successful doctoral programs and discusses implications of that framework for program assessment. This alignment model suggests that successful doctoral programs involve a process of aligning program activities, students and faculty/staff in their specific contexts in order to achieve desired outcomes of helping students complete their degree in a reasonable time with a satisfactory experience and with the knowledge and skills necessary for a range of careers.
Wulff, D., & Nerad, M. (2006). Using an Alignment Model as a Framework in the Assessment of Doctoral Programs” in Peggy L. Maki and Nancy Borkowski, The Assessement of Doctoral Education, Virginia: Stylus.
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