Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK

The Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK University Assessment Committee (UAC) will work with each new academic program to set measurable goals for student learning (Student Learning Outcomes) for each approved degree and certificate program. The UAC will encourage programs to assess those goals and to use the findings to improve teaching, learning, and the curriculum.

New Program Assessment Policy

This policy was developed to ensure that each new academic program at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK University develops measurable goals for student learning and that those goals are assessed in a regular, systematic, and useful manner.

New academic programs will complete an initial assessment plan as part of the Curriculum Committee’s (CC) approval process for new programs. The initial assessment plan requires drafting program-level student learning outcomes (SLOs), as well as anticipated assessment methods. Guidance is provided by the University Assessment Committee (UAC) and is incorporated into the Curriculum Committee’s form to facilitate completion.

Once the CC approves the proposal, the University Assessment Committee (UAC) will be notified and provided with access to the initial assessment plan for the program. This ensures UAC awareness of program approval timing for new academic programs and provides a foundation for UAC collaboration with chairs and/or program coordinators to facilitate further plan development and consultation prior to the program’s integration into the program review cycle.

Program faculty will develop a curriculum map and a refined assessment plan in the first year of the five-year program review cycle. This will occur in consultation with the UAC.

New programs are slated to enter the first year of the program review cycle EITHER:

• Once it will has produced a sufficient number of graduates (determined in consultation with the UAC), OR
• After a specified number of years after curriculum approval.
  • New Undergraduate Programs: 4 years
  • New Graduate Programs: 2 years

Faculty are encouraged to adjust a program’s SLOs when needed to ensure they are measurable and remain relevant.

Review Schedule

The multi-year academic program review schedule below provides an overview for what type of assessment or program review report (bridge assessment or five-year program review process) is slated to be conducted by each program for the reference period/year.

For instance, reporting based on assessments from academic year 2023-2024 are due by Aug. 1 following completion of that year.

• Academic Program Review Schedule (.pdf)

Review Types

Bridge Assessment Reporting

For programs not yet aboard the five-year review process, this provides a vehicle to report on student learning at the program level for the reference year.

• Bridge Assessment Reporting Process Overview (.pdf)

Five-Year Program Review Process

This is a review process that begins with a year dedicated to curriculum mapping and assessment planning (Year 1). In years two through five, faculty report on student learning at the program level following the assessment plan created in the first year. A more in-depth and reflective program review component occurs at the transition from year 5 to the next year 1.

• Process Overview (Year 1) (.pdf)
• Process Overview (Years 2 - 5) (.pdf)

The 2nd and subsequent Year 1 of each assessment cycle will include the completion of a reflective program review in addition to reviewing and updating the program's curriculum map and assessment plan for the remainder of the reporting cycle.

The reflective program review form will be uploaded soon. The first cohort of programs to complete the reflective program review form will do so in 2027-2028.

Reporting Forms

Bridge Assessment Reporting

Year 1 Resources & Reporting Templates

The Year 1 Resources & Reporting Templates linked below provides access to a sample curriculum map template, an assessment plan template, the rubric used by the Assessment Committee to review Year 1 materials, and other information to support completion of curriculum maps and assessment plans.

Years 2 - 5 Assessment Reporting Forms & Resources

Reporting Forms

• No Programs Ready for Year 5 Reporting until end of 2026-2027

Reporting Resources

The reporting resources below must be downloaded to complete in Microsoft Word.

The Reporting Preparation Form is shared to facilitate data gathering to report via the appropriate form linked above. Please do not upload the Reporting Preparation Form.

Both the Closing the Loop Form and Assessment Results Templates can be completed and then uploaded to the relevant section of the reporting form. The assessment results template can be customized to accommodate your reporting needs, provided the three categories (# of artifacts reviewed, # that met expectations, & # that did not meet expectations) remain and are completed.

Accessing Previous Reports & Feedback

Archived content linked below is accessible to provosts, deans, assessment contacts (Chairs and Program Coordinators), and members of the University Assessment Committee.