Use the this survey to identify strengths and ways to improve student retention.
A Survey of Students’ Experiences in the Program
The Student Experience of the Program Survey has been developed from evidence about the conditions that impact student success and retention. Results from this survey can help your department prioritize resources and identify pain points. Refer to the NCWIT resources associated with the NCWIT Undergraduate Systems Model to get ideas for how to address issues that the survey might reveal.
Why Use This Tool?
- Research-Backed: Designed specifically for engineering and computing disciplines, the survey measures key drivers of retention, engagement, and success.
- Flexible & Customizable: Administer the full survey or select specific focus areas — Program Entry, Classroom Experience, Program Curriculum & Support, or Community & Belonging — all aligned with the NCWIT Undergraduate System Model.
- Action-Oriented: Once you have your results, leverage NCWIT’s resources to implement targeted, data-driven improvements. Each of the 4 sections of the survey map on to a focus area of NCWIT’s Undergraduate Systems Model. Once you identify your program’s strengths and opportunities, explore our tips and resources in the relevant areas.
- Student-Centered: The survey’s efficient design minimizes respondent burden, while demonstrating to students that their perspectives are valued and heard.
Implementation Guidelines
- Customize to Your Program: Both the Qualtrics and Word files contain highlighted text that needs to be replaced with your program name and details.
- Keep It Short: Limit the addition of custom, institution-specific questions to one or two items to ensure higher response rates.
- Maximize Participation with Timing: Administer after midterms, but before the pressure of finals.
- Reminders: For online versions, send at least two reminders, spaced one week apart.
- Privacy & Customization: You may tailor the survey to include your department and program names. The last section of the survey focuses on demographics. Asking participants to self-report demographics gives you critical information in a survey. If the numbers are sufficient, it may allow you to disaggregate survey data by certain characteristics. If you are aiming to improve the situation for a certain group, you can see how outcomes compare across groups. To determine which demographic questions are right for you, check out the NCWIT Guide to Demographic Survey Questions. If institutional demographics or state laws pose privacy concerns, you may omit demographic questions.
Access the Tool
Click the download button below to download a zip file containing:
- Qualtrics Version: Campuses using Qualtrics can easily make a copy of the survey from the .QSF file and customize it to their needs.
- Word Version: If you do not have access to Qualtrics, the survey is also available as a Word document; customize before distributing.
Click here to preview the survey in Qualtrics.
Are you looking for the previous version of this resource, NCWIT’s Survey-in-a-Box: Student Experiences of the Major? Contact us at [email protected].
