What is Student Learning Outcomes Assessment? 
Student learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills, and values that students should attain in an academic program.  Assessment of student learning outcomes involves the systematic gathering of information for the purpose of determining what students are actually attaining, and the use of that information to improve student learning.

Benefits of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
Students are the primary beneficiaries of learning outcomes assessment.  However, assessing learning outcomes can also help faculty seeking to add to or improve curricular offerings.  Assessment data can also help academic programs more clearly demonstrate to institutional and external audiences the strengths of the program and the success of the students.

Responsibility for Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

• Faculty members are the primary decision-makers in the assessment process and are responsible for:
  • Defining clear learning outcomes for students in the program;
  • Identifying and implementing measures that assess whether their students attain those outcomes;
  • Analyzing the data gathered through the assessment measures for information relevant to the program; and
  • Using that resulting information as the basis for improvements in the program. 

• The director of institutional assessment and the university assessment committee (UAC) establish guidelines for the assessment of student learning outcomes to ensure that our university’s assessment practices meet the standards of our accrediting body.  In addition, the UAC reviews student learning outcomes assessment plans/reports and provides constructive feedback to faculty to improve program assessments.