Outcomes & Assessment Guide
Program Learning Outcomes
Overview
Program Outcomes & Assessment Overview
COA is defining an academic program as a series of courses that lead to a certificate or a degree. Do not confuse “Program Assessment” with “Program Review.” Program Assessment should:
- Allow faculty to map and to assess curriculum
- Create insightful discussion around student success
- Direct curriculum and pedagogical choices that will make your program efficient, effective, and shiny.
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) requires the assessment of outcomes at the program level to maintain our accreditation.
Some things to consider:
- Each department needs to determine overall course offerings, progressions, and take note of activities that exist to help you identify your (performances, athletic events, internship programs, local business collaborations, participation in festivals and competitions, etc.)
- Program Outcomes should
- Lead to improved student success by finding and removing obstacles
- Be tied to Mesa's Integrated Planning Process to prioritize funding (Program Review)
- Contribute a critical component to the Curriculum Review processes
- Programs can be assessed in various ways, including
- Use of curriculum maps and assessment of course outcomes for selected courses
- A capstone course or series of capstone projects embedded within higher level courses
- A state licensing exam
- If your program does not offer any degrees or certificates, consider evaluating
- GE course offerings
- Assessment of sequential courses that may serve other programs
- Pre-requisite sequences that may serve other programs
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