Learning outcomes assessment

AU’s program quality assurance processes include the assessment of student learning at the program level to answer the following questions:

• What should learners know when they graduate from their program?
• How do we know that students are learning what they are expected to learn?
• What program changes should occur to improve student learning?

The program learning outcomes assessment (PLOA) process at AU attempts to answer these questions through a continuous cycle of direct and systematic measurement of the achievement of program-level learning goals or outcomes expected of our graduates, and use of that data to inform program improvements.

All programs complete annual assessment reports detailing evidence of the following assessment components:

• Identification of program learning outcomes.
• Mapping of program learning outcomes to the curriculum.
• Assessment of each program learning outcome at least twice within a 5-7-year cycle through both indirect measures and direct assessment of student artifacts.
• Documentation of processes of evaluation and improvement to the program based on assessment results.

AU’s PLOA process is guided by a Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan, led by the Provost’s Outcomes Assessment Advisory Committee and supported by the Office of the Provost and Vice President, Academic.