Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online) Vol.11, No.4, 2020 26 The Effectiveness of Practices and Process of Students’ Placement into Different Academic Program: The Case of Madda Walabu University Baru Aboma Totoba Madda Walabu University, Department of Educational Foundations and Management, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, P.O.BOX: 247, Bale -Robe, Ethiopia Abstract This study sought to explore the effectiveness of practice of students’ placement into different departments at MWU. To achieve this objective three research questions were laid down. They were: (1) What are the criteria adopted for students ‘departmental placement at MWU? (2) To what extent the criteria and practice for departmental placement, influence students ‘choices of different study programs? (3) What could be possible to solve those problem? A total of 233 students of two batches in there, first and third year studies in 2012/13 were included in this study using stratified random sampling. In addition, 17 officials (university managers) were included using the availability sampling while 16(two from each selected department) instructors were selected using quota sampling technique. Questionnaire, Interview and Documents analysis were employed to collect data. Both quantitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used as data collection instruments. The finding revealed that, the practice of student departmental placement was anticipated to be governed by five criteria adopted at MWU. The finding also revealed that there was a gap between the intended and actual practice of students’ departmental placement. As a result of this 55.4% students were assigned into their department without their’ choices. Therefore, the researcher recommended the concerned body at MWU, to give due consideration to students; interests, aptitudes and preferences during selection and placement of students into various departments at this university Keywords: Effectiveness; Students placement; the practices DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-4-04 Publication date: February 29 th 2020 1. Introduction The organization of universities in departments divided along disciplinary lines is a means of shaping the supply (knowledge) according to market demands and according to internal organizational requirements and choices. Because of significant shifts in terms of funding and rising costs of research over the last 20 years, universities have become increasingly subjected to market forces. This usually means that universities are increasingly encouraged to adopt better ‘business practices’ that can make them more competitive in the education and research market. As a result, universities have to question their current forms of management, organization and practices. Ethiopia has shown a palpable progress in rippling higher education institutions across the country. Several universities have mushroomed nationwide. Those universities have been catering to the education demand of citizens. However, there are chasms in creating employment opportunities for graduates. Plenty of factors are ascribable to the problem. Improper department placement of students is among the setbacks. As a result, many Ethiopian university graduates have been facing unemployment. Therefore, to develop effective recruitment strategies, university managers need to have a clear understanding of how and why the students choose a department in higher education institution. They should consider many factors in order to be selected by a student. Even though understanding the university choice process is not easy, determining the factors that influence the process can be seen as a necessary activity for university managers. Through the analysis of this process, higher education institutions can develop a comprehensive understanding of how and why the students select their academic program in higher education institution. Understanding of choice process is very important for improving their student recruitment strategies. This article examines the process of students’ placement into different academic program in Madda Walabu university in detail. 2. Statement of the Problem The problem of placing students to universities and to departments has always taken the attention of freshman students. There is little academic consideration while placing students to academic program within the universities. Fechner (2009) stated that giving opportunity for students to join field of study by their choices will encourage students’ interests in general. An increase of interest, in turn, mediates an improved learning outcome (Adodo and Gbore, 2011). Therefore, it could be understood that students’ positive attitude toward a particular