THE USI EXPERIENCE: A TRACER STUDY ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF PHD GRADUATES

In Partial Fulfilment of

the Requirements for

Quantitative Design and Data Management for the program

Doctor of Philosophy Major in

Educational Leadership and Management

ANA B. ALIMORONG

CATHERINE O. ARELLANO

JANE G. HERRAS

MARIANNE LOTERTE

ARLENE C. SAN ANTONIO

AIZA B. SUMPAY

JOANNA MARIE O. YOCAMPO

AUGUST 2019
 INTRODUCTION

The quality of the education offered by an institution is reflected in the quality of the
achieved outcomes. The Universidad de Sta. Isabel, the Heritage and Historical University
of Bicol, is known for its commitment to the integral development of a person towards
holistic transformation. Over the years, it has been one of the prestigious universities in the
Bicol Region that is being looked up to by many individuals in the educational field as it
produces globally competitive and morally upright graduates.

For over a century-and-a-half long of educational services, the University stands as a

pillar and proof of academic excellence. It has served and lived up its mission and vision
as a Christ-centered institution that empowers communities through the Vincentian
values that were instilled in the hearts of every graduate.

The University offers curriculum programs from the pre-school until Graduate School in
order to provide learning opportunities from the basic foundational learning up to the
professional growth and development of career individuals. This ensures the University’s
stand on the transformation or holistic development of a Vincentian character.

The School of the Graduate Studies has highlighted the school’s mission by providing
teacher and managerial empowerment to the academes of this Region. The
department has offered various programs which are anchored on the competency
development of teachers such as the Master of Arts in Education major in Administration
ad Supervision, Guidance and Counselling, Filipino, History, Religious Education, Music
Education, and Mathematics; Master of Science in Social Work, Master in Management,
ad Master of Arts in Nursing. Furthermore, the University also offers the curriculum
programs of Doctor of Philosophy major in Human Resource and Development which has
since produced quality graduates that are now leading the educational scheme of the
Province.

Trace studies has been known in various researches to have served as basis for policy
guidelines formation, as well as the human resource management for the faculty and
staff. Furthermore, Hwang (2018) has defined the tracer study as a means of maintaining
curriculum relevance and providing targeted benefits to graduates to enhance the
marketability of educational programs.

For the past five years, the School has produced graduates who are already in the
front line of both the Higher Education Institution Sector and the Department of
Education. Their contribution to these sectors are attributed to the culture and
competencies that were transpired by the Institution. The Doctor of Philosophy Program
of the University from school year 2015 to present has achieved this fleet. However, the
measurement on the qualitative and quantitative values that they have acquired have
not been recorded nor linked into strengthening the University’s programs and efforts.
Moreover, the personal development of the alumni in their respective fields has not been
taken into account. Hence, looking into the personal and professional development that
has occurred into the graduates of the University would be highly beneficial not only on
the assessment of the success level of the department but also on the improvement of
the services of the Graduate School Department of this University.

A research on this topic will evaluate the strengths of the graduate school doctorate
programs especially with the increasing number of population thereby capacitating the
number of teachers in the public and private sectors who are both looking into the
possibility of improving themselves both personally and professionally. Hence, a trace
study on this matter may serve as benefit as a way of looking back and promoting the
academe along with providing valuable information for the evaluation of the outcomes
of the education and training in this institution.

Specifically, this study will look into the following:

1. What is the current employment profile of the respondents in terms of the following:
a. Subject presently handled;
b. Position, status and special assignments;
c. Performance evaluation results;
d. Professional accomplishments;
2. To what extent had the PhD program helped them in their personal and
professional life?
3. What suggestions can they give to enhance USI’s PhD program?
4. What is the implication of the study to the PhD curriculum planning committee?
 METHODOLOGY

This study used the tracer method using qualitative research to answer the research
problems. Tracer study is known to serve as a basis for policy guidelines formation, as well
as the human resource management for the faculty and staff. It is also defined as means
of maintaining the curriculum relevance and providing targeted benefits to graduates
to enhance the Educational Program.

The respondents of this study are the eight graduate students of Doctorate degree from
Universidad