The 2020–21 academic year will be unlike any other, requiring rapid adaptation to unprecedented and unpredictable circumstances. Learning more about the quality of students’ experiences in these new and shifting conditions is essential to campus assessment efforts and to support educators working to implement effective educational practices.
We invite institutions to participate in the 2021 administration of NSSE and FSSE and to learn more about changes and our special offerings to help institutions respond.
View the registration and pricing information (Registration is open until October 23, 2020).
Below are a few highlights about NSSE and FSSE 2021 (more details are available online):
- NSSE Pulse, free fall survey: NSSE is offering a special fall survey at no charge (NSSE 2021 registration not required). The short online survey—NSSE Pulse—includes selected questions from NSSE that are critical to persistence, such as questions assessing quality of interactions and students' sense of belonging. Results will be delivered promptly, affording early diagnosis of strengths and areas of concern. Institutions interested in registering for Pulse are encouraged to visit our website
- New NSSE 2021 Modules: Optional Topical Modules to assess quality in online education, the pandemic's impact on students' well-being, and career and workforce preparation
- Responsive Administration Schedule: Compressed survey preparation and administration schedules to reflect changed academic calendars
- Free Portal/LMS Recruitment: Individualized NSSE survey links to embed in institutional portals and learning management systems (previously a fee-based service) to enhance survey promotion
- $400 NSSE Credit: In recognition of institutions' fiscal challenges, a $400 credit toward surveys or services to all institutions registered for NSSE 2021
- New FSSE Content: Items asking faculty how they have been able to support students, how they navigate their roles as educators, and about the support they have received during the pandemic
NSSE and FSSE both continue to offer a Topical Module on Inclusiveness and Engagement with Cultural Diversity that may be especially valuable as colleges and universities seek to address imperatives related to equity and inclusion.
Regular administrations of NSSE and FSSE enable institutions like yours to assess and track efforts to improve the quality of undergraduate education. Hundreds of colleges and universities use NSSE and FSSE for diagnostic, actionable information that can facilitate evidence-based improvement efforts. We look forward to working with you and welcome your suggestions for how best to support your assessment and improvement efforts during this very difficult time.