Policy on Student Learning Outcomes Assessment in Academic Programs

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Student Learning Outcomes Assessment in Academic Programs

Introduction

Purpose

According to the Higher Education Act, an institution of higher education must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency for students to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education for postsecondary study at the institution. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC-Chapel Hill” or “University”) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The University must regularly assess student learning to meet SACSCOC’s quality assurance requirements. SACSCOC has set expectations for these regular and ongoing assessment plans and reports.

The purpose of this Policy is to:

1. Describe the requirements for the annual student learning outcomes assessment process,
2. Explain how UNC-Chapel Hill uses the results of that assessment to improve Academic Programs, and
3. Define the roles and responsibilities for implementing and overseeing the annual student learning outcomes assessment processes at UNC-Chapel Hill to ensure the process complies with this policy and SACSCOC’s requirements.

This policy replaces the "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Outcome Assessment in Academic Programs and Non-Academic Unit Outcomes” approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost on March 1, 2017.

Scope

This Policy applies to the following types of programs and units at UNC-Chapel Hill:

• Academic degree major (undergraduate, graduate, and professional), and
• Stand-alone certificates (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) which are designed to provide non-degree-seeking students with an introduction to a field of study or preparation to seek licensure in a specific professional area. Certificates consisting of courses that are part of existing degree programs or are designed primarily for currently matriculated students are not defined as stand-alone.

Policy

Policy Requirements

UNC-Chapel Hill's student learning outcomes assessment process requires each Academic Program to:

1. Describe the learning outcomes students should achieve by the end of the course of study (the Assessment Plan), and
2. Measure student performance on these student learning outcomes and make improvements based on the results (the Assessment Report).

The University requires academic programs to prepare and submit the following to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost through their respective deans:

Assessment Plan

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) must review and approve each assessment plan before the academic Program is allowed to implement it. Each assessment plan must contain the following:

• A mission statement,
• Description of the faculty committee or group that reviews assessment findings and makes recommendations for improvements based on those results,
• Expected student learning outcomes for the educational program,
• Descriptions of evaluation methods that will be used to confirm that students have achieved the expected learning outcomes,
• Performance targets, and
• An implementation schedule, which is typically multi-year.

The Academic Program only needs to resubmit the assessment plan to OIRA if the Academic Program modifies the:

• Student Learning Outcome(s)
• Evaluation Methods, and/or
• Timelines.

Assessment Report

Every Academic Program must submit its Assessment Report to OIRA annually. Each Assessment Report must contain the following:

• Which student learning outcomes the Academic Program evaluated,
• The methods the Academic Program used to evaluate student learning outcomes,
• Analysis of results, and
• A description of how the Academic Program has used the results to improve the program.

These Assessment Plans and Assessment Reports are in addition to any other reporting obligations, such as those for Program Review or specialized accreditation.

Standards and Procedures for Outcomes Assessment

Each Assessment Plan and Assessment Report must meet standards that address the required elements and appropriate assessment methodology identified through guidance from SACSCOC. These standards, reporting procedures, submission timelines, and descriptions of review and approval processes, are available through UNC-Chapel Hill’s Standard Operating Procedures for Reviewing Academic Program Assessment Plans and Assessment Reports.

Roles and Responsibilities

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost has overall responsibility and oversight for Academic Program student learning outcomes assessment processes.

Academic Deans

Deans are responsible for:

• Ensuring all academic programs within their respective schools have assessment plans,
• Verifying academic programs carry out assessment plans and assessment reports that meet SACSCOC’s prescribed standards,
• Confirming that each academic program documents any improvements made based on assessment results in the assessment report, and
• Appointing one or more of their senior academic associate deans or comparable positions to serve as the school-level assessment coordinator.

Assessment Coordinators

Assessment Coordinators manage the internal student learning outcomes assessment process for the school and serve as liaisons to OIRA. Assessment Coordinators must be faculty members who may be supported by department chairs and staff employees.

Assessment Coordinators are responsible for:

• Collecting and storing assessment plans and assessment reports in the central repository for assessment plans and assessment reports (Repository),
• Reviewing assessment plans and assessment reports for compliance and quality,
• Providing feedback to faculty in academic programs to improve the quality of student learning outcomes assessments,
• Ensuring the Dean received, reviewed, and approved the plans and reports prior to submission to OIRA on behalf of the Office of the Provost, and
• Participating in periodic training and professional development activities sponsored by the Office of the Provost.

Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA)

OIRA is responsible for:

• Providing training and consultation to Assessment Coordinators and program faculty about effective assessment practices,
• Communicating with Assessment Coordinators and Deans about annual timelines; providing instructions, reporting templates and other assessment resources,
• Maintaining a central Repository for Assessment Coordinators to use,
• Reviewing assessment plans and assessment reports for compliance with SACSCOC standards,
• Providing feedback to Assessment Coordinators on necessary changes, and
• Providing an annual report on assessment activities, use of results for program improvement, and compliance with the assessment process to the deans and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.  

Definitions

• Academic Program: A formal course of study that leads to a degree or a stand-alone certificate.
• Student Learning Outcomes: Statements that describe what disciplinary skills and knowledge students should possess upon completion of an Academic Program.

Related Requirements

External Regulations

This policy was developed to ensure UNC-Chapel Hill's continued compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Principles of Accreditation, Comprehensive Standard 8.2.a.

The consequences of failure to comply with SACSCOC requirements include sanctions and possible loss of accreditation.

University Standards and Procedures

• Standard Operating Procedures for Reviewing Academic Program Assessment Plans and Assessment Reports

Contact Information

Unit: Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Title: University Director of Assessment

Email: assessment@unc.edu