Academic Program Assessment Update Summary

The central goal of the Viterbo University Academic Program Assessment is to provide a structure for the continuous improvement of academic programs. The purpose of assessment is to: 1) gather information about the knowledge, abilities, and values of program graduates; 2) use that information to improve teaching and learning in the program; and 3) communicate assessment results with stakeholders (students, faculty, administrators, and advisory boards).

Please provide a summary of the assessment work that is reflected in the TracDat update. Reviewers will begin with your summary which will assist them in interpreting the information in TracDat. Send the summary as an attachment to an e-mail to Carol Geszvain, Research Specialist, [email protected] Receipt of the summary will indicate that the update on TracDat has been completed and the report can be run for review. Please be brief (no more than 200 words for each response) and give specifics.

Name of Assessment Coordinator: Name of Program: Date:

1. What are the primary conclusions you have drawn from your assessment results in 2016-2017? Focus especially on action and follow-up results.

Example: Last year we focused on two of our six outcomes. All three methods met the criteria for written communication; we had made significant changes in pedagogy after our last cycle of assessment for this outcome and we will continue to do what we are doing. For critical thinking, the criterion for only one of the methods was met. We decided to add a unit and assignment in XXXX242 and to increase time for developing the research proposal in XXXX401. (Details are given in the minutes attached to the TracDat update.) These changes will be made fall semester 2017. Last year was also a follow-up year for ethical reasoning; although we met the criteria, we are still not happy with the results. We identified XXXX 316 as an appropriate place to increase attention to ethical reasoning; the instructor will add case studies as a method of instruction.

2. Identify the program’s primary focus for assessment work for 2017-2018.

Example: In 2017-2018, we will collect results for the next two learning outcomes in our cycle of assessment and will also follow up on results for critical thinking and for ethical reasoning. One of our goals as a department is to find a way to communicate assessment results to our majors, our advisory board, and our alumni. We are considering launching an annual newsletter. The assessment coordinator for the department retired last year, and we have a new faculty member, so this year will be a year of transition for the department; therefore, we plan to dedicate four department meetings to assessment work.