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Academic Program Assessment Process

Assessment of academic programs focuses on enhancing student learning through systematic, faculty-driven processes for measuring what students know and can do at the end of their programs and using results to improve the educational experience.

The student learning outcomes assessment process involves

  • Establishing student learning outcomes
  • Measuring and analyzing student achievement of the outcomes aggregated across the program
  • Reviewing findings and creating action plans to improve curricula or support services
  • Implementing improvements and assessing effectiveness of those changes on student outcomes

Student learning outcomes describe the knowledge and skills we expect students to demonstrate by the time they complete a course of study at Carolina.

Assessment methods should emphasize direct examination of student work such as papers, tests, and presentations. These measures should provide evidence that students have attained the knowledge or abilities at the levels targeted by the program.

Indirect assessments such as exit interviews; job placement rates; and awards; or surveys of alumni may also be used as supplemental measures. These types of assessments are useful in understanding how students believe they have benefited from their educational experience and how they have applied it. They can be helpful in informing decisions related to changes in instruction or the curriculum, but don’t provide direct evidence of what students have learned.

Academic departments may also address program goals in their assessment plans in addition to student learning outcomes. These may describe strategic goals for the unit such as graduation rates, diversity, faculty hires to enhance the curriculum, or improvements identified through the external Program Review process.

Several resources are available to assist in preparing reports. You may follow the links below to access these resources.

For more information or assistance, please contact Dr. Bryant Hutson at bhutson@email.unc.edu.