Assessment Policy for New Academic Programs and Administrative Units

University Assessment Committee (UAC) – March, 2017

This policy was developed to ensure that each new academic program or administrative unit at Wilkes University develops measurable goals for student learning or effective operation (respectively), and that those goals are assessed in a regular, systematic, and useful manner.

The Wilkes University Assessment Committee (UAC) will guide each new academic program to set measurable goals for student learning (Student Learning Outcomes) for each approved degree and certificate program. The UAC will also encourage these programs to assess those goals, and to use the assessment findings to improve teaching, learning and the curriculum.

The expected student learning outcomes (SLOs) will be accessible to current and prospective students.

New programs will submit an initial assessment plan with their SLOs for review by the University Assessment Committee in conjunction their Curriculum Committee Proposal. The University Assessment Committee may provide feedback on the proposed assessment plan. Once the initial assessment plan and SLOs are agreed upon, programs will be required to demonstrate regular, systematic review and revision of their SLOs and associated assessment plans before entering the University Academic Program Review Cycle according to the following:

New undergraduate programs

After a sufficient number of graduates, as agreed upon by the program and the University Assessment Committee, or four years after curriculum approval.

New graduate programs

After a sufficient number of graduates, as agreed upon by the program and the University Assessment Committee, or two years after curriculum approval.

Departmental faculty will revise, delete or add to a program’s SLOs as appropriate to ensure that they remain dynamic, relevant, and measurable.

The Wilkes University Assessment Committee (UAC) will guide each new administrative unit to set measurable goals (objectives) to assess unit performance. The UAC will also encourage these units to assess those goals, and to use the assessment findings to improve the operation and performance of their units.

New units will submit an initial assessment plan with their objectives for review by the University Assessment Committee. The University Assessment Committee may provide feedback on the proposed assessment plan. Once the initial assessment plan and objectives are agreed upon, units will be required to demonstrate regular, systematic review and revision of their objectives and associated assessment plans before entering the University Academic Program Review Cycle after two full years of operation.

Administrative directors will revise, delete or add a unit’s objectives as appropriate to ensure they remain dynamic, relevant, and measurable.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the University Assessment Commitee, please contact either of the committee co-chairs:

Brian Bogert

Director of Institutional Research
brian.bogert@wilkes.edu

Jayme Hines

Assistant Professor of Education
jayme.hines@wilkes.edu