The mission of Air University is to “Access, train, educate, and develop Air and Space warfighters in support of the National Defense Strategy,” and we align our expected student outcomes with this Mission. Unlike a civilian entity, the mission of a military entity has a very real “boots on the ground meaning and is the operation assigned to the unit by higher headquarters.” Both uses of the term Mission apply at AU and are used in correlation to one another. Air University exists to provide the nation with skilled Airmen to provide for the common defense of the nation. For example, Air University’s programs for Officer Accessions (entry into the service) accounts for over 70% of all active-duty officers (ROTC 41.4%, OTS 19.1% other 16.8%) - [pulled this sentence from the QEP]. Air University’s mission ties to the National Defense Strategy and requires that we consistently evolve by reorienting and reoptimizing ourselves to align with dynamically changing demands at key inflection points: we cannot afford to be complacent in terms of our national defense. This intense focus allows our Airmen to achieve their military mission.
Air University’s mission and purpose differs from many of its peers in higher education. Unlike most academic institutions that focus on providing academic programs with marketable credentials and degrees, Air University’s academic programs are developed to meet force development requirements for the Air Force and the Department of Defense. Air University’s academic programs are developed to support the unique mission of the profession of arms. Additionally, Air University’s students are a unique cohort where the completion of the academic program is tied to the individual’s position and continuation in the Air Force. The selection, admission and enrollment in an Air University program becomes a military mission requirement for the individual and part of the individual’s work/duty assignment. This leads to a dynamic where the student and the institution are focused simultaneously on the successful completion of the academic program and the force development requirements. We look to develop “mission ready Airmen” with training focused on a mix of skills needed for wartime operational mission readiness.
As a military entity with an education mission, utilizing conventional student achievement metrics to gauge our success does not adequately encompass the fundamental differences between AU and our civilian counterparts. Our students are not simply pursuing degrees or certifications; they are undergoing rigorous training to become warfighters capable of fulfilling critical roles in national defense. Thus, in order to measure student achievement, Air University focuses on the preparation of “warfighters in support of the National defense Strategy”.
AU has chosen to measure how we “Access, train, educate, and develop Air and Space warfighters in support of the National Defense Strategy” using the following metrics which provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of our students' preparedness for their chosen profession:
- Monitoring the percentage of enrolled students in the degree program who receive a degree at the conclusion of their academic program [ a Completion Rate in lieu of Graduation Rate]: Monitoring the percentage of enrolled students who receive a degree at the conclusion of their academic program completion to meet Air Force production numbers.
- Time to completion [6-Year Graduation Rate]: Monitoring the graduation rate within the specified timeframe for the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to award an AAS degree.
- Applied Science Technical Education: Tracking the completion rate of 5-level training leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
- Student Satisfaction with PME Courses and Programs: Tracking the satisfaction rate of students enrolled in academic degree programs, aiming for a favorable response rate exceeding 80%.
1) Number of degrees conferred
Rationale – Air University does not measure or calculate graduation rates as Air University is not an IPEDS participant. Therefore, AU uses the number of degrees completed in relation to our target production numbers, as applicable, as our student achievement success rate metric in place of IPEDS graduation rate.
Program completion is an important factor for AU student’s professional development, academic preparation, and advancement. All military services except for the Navy compete for positions in PME-graduate level resident programs. Air University students enter academic programs with the understanding that program completion is tied to their future assignments and duties. Air University students also enter academic programs with an obligation to complete additional years of service in exchange for the educational investment made by the service or the agency. Further, Air University graduates are assigned by the personnel management systems of their service or agency to positions which require the knowledge, skills and aptitudes developed through the programs following completion. As a result, Air University graduates receive deliberate personnel placement, incur service obligation, and attain full employment after program completion. Air University in-residence programs have a target production number assigned to each program as predetermined enrollment goals based on force strength needed to meet military operations at the Secretary of the Air Force level. Production numbers are designed to ensure an adequate amount of force are trained in leadership, strategic thinking, and other specialized skill sets. Degrees conferred is a marker that we are providing a strong return on investment for students, our national defense, and US taxpayers.
Threshold for the number of degrees conferred – Air University reviewed four years of data to determine the minimum threshold of acceptability for the number of degrees conferred. AU has identified the threshold for degree conferred and program completions to be 85%. These thresholds were selected based on the rolling four -year average for these areas at AU.
Outcome for Number of degrees conferred and program completers in relation to production numbers – At Air University, our degrees conferred rate has met the threshold. Additionally, our degree completers remain within the military and report to their next duty station. The proportion of degrees conferred and program completers in relation to the production numbers for each program within the expected range.
2) Time to completion for the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to award an AAS degree:
Rationale – As a measure of student success, Air University monitors the six-year graduation rate of its associates degree programs. Unlike a civilian community college, students do not apply for admission to a self-chosen career field. Prior to enlisting in the Air Force, an individual completes the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which indicates academic and career field aptitude, and help match the individual’s aptitudes and abilities with Air Force career areas during initial assignment to a career field (Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). All new enlisted accessions (Airmen) are admitted and registered in a CCAF degree program designed for the designated Primary Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), normally during the fourth week of Basic Military Training, and are considered a full time CCAF student from the time they enter basic military training through level 3 initial skills training until they reach the 5 level of technical training. The responsibilities and demands on newly accessed Airmen require a completion window broader than two years for the completion of a CCAF associate’s degree (i.e., temporary change of duty station (TDY), deployments, reassignments, and so forth). Deployments and the nation’s national security demands often delay an Airmen’s ability to complete the general education requirements and/or the internship components of the CCAF degree.
Completion rates are a common metric used in measuring the effectiveness of an institution. Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and AU Chief of Data Analytics carefully monitor completion rates of our associate degree programs. Furthermore, on average, supervisors surveyed agreed the program enhances the overall education of enlisted personnel, positively impacts the Air Force mission, and plays an important role in the development of a professional Air Force enlisted corps. Completion of an associates degrees with Air University is an indicator that we are providing a strong return on investment for students, our national defense, and US taxpayers.
Threshold for Time to completion [6-Year Graduation Rate] - Air University has established the six-year graduation rate threshold after reviewing 4 years of data. The threshold is set to the lowest rate for the previous 4 years, which is 70%. Geopolitical changes in the world and the US Air Force subsequent response to these constantly evolving global dynamics demand a larger completion window to accommodate Airmen in their commitment to securing our nation.
Outcome for Time to completion [6-Year Graduation Rate] – The six-year time to completion for a CCAF degree rate has met the threshold. CCAF degree completers are retained and promoted at a higher rate than their peers that have not achieved the CCAF degree within the six year time frame.
3) Applied Science Technical Education
Rationale – This metric focuses on how we “Access, train, educate, and develop Air and Space warfighters in support of the National Defense Strategy” through providing enlisted Airman a pathway to a Associate’s degree while on-duty serving in the Air Force. The nature of instruction at the schoolhouses serves a dual purpose of Air Force training and CCAF degree credit. Each CCAF program career/technical field track is designed for the specific occupational specialties knowledge, skills, and theoretical background for Airmen to become technical experts and skilled craftsmen. The Air Force has always recognized the positive effects of education on enlisted Airmen and Guardians and has strived to provide opportunities for all airman to become lifelong learners. Since students complete the technical training under the purview of CCAF (the General Education requirement is satisfied by applying courses accepted in-transfer or by testing credit), AU focuses on tracking the pathways to a degree provided through the completion of the technical requirements of the AAS degree.
Threshold for Applied Science Technical Education - AU has identified a threshold of 70% for completion of technical components of the associate degree requirements after reviewing 4 years of data. The threshold is set to the lowest rate for the previous 10 years, which is 70%. CCAF and the CADP program track all students longitudinally and has kept records of student completion of technical requirements. Technical requirement completion data provides a metric early in an Airman’s career on their progression within their Air Force career.
Outcome for Applied Science Technical Education – The completion of the technical education component of the associate’s degree has met the threshold. Students completing this technical component are in line with the national associates degree completion rate. Completing the technical requirements speaks to Air University’s intent to seek continuous improvement in the development of student outcomes with the College Mission, to " Access, train, educate, and develop Air and Space warfighters in support of the National Defense Strategy."
4) Student Satisfaction with PME Courses and Programs
Rationale – The performance of our students once they return to their tour of duty with their squadron is the final student metric. In contrast to traditional academic institutions and IPEDs reporting schools, AU's curriculum and learning outcomes are meticulously aligned with specific operational requirements and competencies outlined by the Air Force and Space Force. Our students are not simply pursuing degrees or certifications; they are undergoing rigorous training to become warfighters capable of fulfilling critical roles in national defense. This perspective of students at the conclusion of their academic program provides another important indication regarding the program’s value and stakeholder satisfaction after undergoing rigorous training to become warfighters capable of fulfilling critical roles in national defense.
Threshold for Student Satisfaction with PME Courses and Programs - Air University has identified the threshold of this metric that favorable satisfaction responses will exceed 76% on the EOP survey questions. This threshold was selected as a baseline after reviewing the last here years of EOP survey data across programs, in which the average positive response on program related questions was ~80%.
Goal for Student Satisfaction with PME Courses and Programs – Air University has identified the threshold of this metric that favorable satisfaction responses will exceed 90% on the EOP survey questions.
Outcome for Student Satisfaction with PME Courses and Programs – The threshold for this metric has been met, with the most recent EOP responses on the satisfaction question as follows:
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Question
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AU Average Satisfaction
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I can apply what I learned in this course/program.
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92.56%
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I am more confident in my skills working with others as a result of this course/program.
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87.60%
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The curriculum kept me engaged (focused and eager to learn).
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85.12%
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The technology to support learning was effective.
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78.51%
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