Learning Outcomes Assessment
APUS is committed to student learning assessment and its impact on the quality of teaching and learning. The learning outcomes assessment program at APUS: 1) provides students with useful information about their current skills, values, and knowledge; 2) enables the University System to evaluate the effectiveness of its academic programs in terms of achieving the desired learning outcomes for its students; and, 3) is used for continuous improvement at all levels of the institution. The University System uses a variety of direct and indirect assessment measures to document student learning at the undergraduate level. Periodic surveys, standardized national testing, grading rubrics, comprehensive examinations, and other assessment measures are used to improve on the quality of teaching and learning at APUS. The assessment of student learning at APUS is guided by the student learning outcomes posted in the catalog, website, and course syllabi.
Learning outcomes assessment for the undergraduate student is conducted at the institutional, degree program, general education, and classroom level. Each level is designed to complement each other, providing a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of the University System’s academic programs.
At the institutional level, student learning is assessed on the broad and overarching objectives that students are expected to attain upon completion of an academic program, regardless of discipline. Student participation in periodic surveys and interviews is required to evaluate the effectiveness of students achieving desired learning outcomes at the university level.
At the degree program level, student learning is assessed on the skills, values, and knowledge that students are expected to know upon graduation from a particular degree program. Subject-specific standardized national testing is used to measure student learning at the degree program level. Currently, graduates in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, History, English, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology programs are administered tests as part of the graduation process. The tests’ results are used only to inform the University System and the student of the student’s performance in a given subject area; their results are not calculated in the student’s grade point average or considered as part of the student’s academic performance. Writing rubrics are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of students achieving desired learning outcomes at the degree program level.
At the general education level, student learning is assessed on the skills, values, and knowledge that students are expected to know upon completion of the general education program. Student participation in standardized national testing is required to assess student learning at the general education level. The national tests are taken by all associate’s and bachelor’s degree graduates, regardless of major. The tests’ results are used only to inform the University System and the student of the student’s performance in a given subject area; their results are not calculated in the student’s grade point average or considered as part of the student’s academic performance.
At the course level, student learning is assessed on the skills, values, and knowledge that students are expected to know upon completion of a course. At this level, faculty members summarize the assessment results for the entire class, rather than for individual students, and these results are used to continually improve on courses and teaching effectiveness. Course developed tests, student participation in discussion boards, student research projects/papers, and writing assignments are some of the requirements used to evaluate the effectiveness of APUS students achieving desired learning outcomes at classroom level. End of course survey results are also used to monitor and develop teaching effectiveness, and maintain and improve on the overall quality and soundness of programs and courses.
The American Public University System uses a variety of assessment activities designed to document student learning. Students are required to participate in learning outcomes assessment activities at APUS, and will be given adequate notice of course and non-course related assessment activities that they are responsible for completing. APUS is committed to protecting the privacy of its students. This includes ensuring the confidentiality of student work submitted for assessment as well as the feedback resulting from assessment activities. For more information, the APUS Learning Outcomes Assessment website establishes the framework for the conduct of student assessment across the institution. Assessment related questions can be directed to the Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment, ctla@apus.edu.
