Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
Student learning outcomes assessment is one component of program quality and provides valuable evidence for accreditation, strategic planning, and program review. While assessment contributes to program review, it is not intended to serve as a complete program review process.
Assessment is an ongoing process of gathering, analyzing, and using evidence of student learning to improve academic programs. At Southern Nazarene University, assessment is intended to support continuous improvement by helping faculty understand what students are learning, identify opportunities for enhancement, and make informed decisions about curriculum and instruction.
Annual Assessment Cycle
Flip through the cycle.
Select each card to reveal the essential action behind an effective assessment process.
Getting Started
Assessment at SNU occurs in two primary phases.
Phase 1: Create or Update Your Assessment Plan
Each academic program maintains an Assessment Plan that identifies:
- Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Curriculum Mapping
- Assessment Methods
- Success Criteria
- Student Artifacts Used for Assessment
Programs should review their assessment plans annually and make revisions as needed based on previous assessment findings.
Phase 2: Complete the Annual Assessment Report
After assessment data have been collected and discussed within the department, complete the Annual Assessment Report documenting:
- Assessment results
- Whether criteria were met
- Interpretation of results
- Program improvements
- Future improvement plans
- Progress on previous improvement initiatives
Creating or Revising your Assessment Plan
Step 1: Reflect on Previous Assessment
Begin by reviewing previous assessment reports. Consider questions such as:
- What do the assessment results tell us?
- What improvements were made because of previous assessment?
- Did last year’s assessment provide meaningful information?
- Should we revise our assessment process this year?
- What questions about student learning do we still need to answer?
Step 2: Review Program Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes describe what students should know, be able to do, or value upon completion of the program. Most programs include three to five outcomes. Well-written learning outcomes are:
- Student-centered
- Observable
- Measurable
- Clearly aligned with the curriculum
Step 3: Complete Your Curriculum Map
The curriculum map identifies where each learning outcome is:
- I — Introduced
- R — Reinforced
- A — Assessed
A completed curriculum map helps ensure every learning outcome is intentionally developed throughout the curriculum.
Step 4: Identify Assessment Methods
For each learning outcome, identify:
- Success criteria
- Assessment measure
- Student artifact
- Faculty scoring method
Whenever possible, use authentic student work already embedded within courses rather than creating additional assessment activities.
Completing the Annual Assessment Report
Final Step: Document and Submit Findings
After faculty have reviewed assessment findings, document the results using the Annual Assessment Report. The report should summarize:
- Student Learning Outcome assessed
- Assessment criteria
- Assessment procedures
- Results
- Whether criteria were met
- Use of results
- Improvement plan
- Resources needed
- Individuals responsible
- Progress on previous improvements
Once completed, submit the report using the online submission form.