Step 1- Program Mission
What is the educational goal or mission of your program?
Clearly state the Faculty Consensus of the Program's Mission
The foundation of any outcomes assessment plan, even before specific student-learning outcomes are defined, is faculty understanding and agreement regarding the program’s underlying values and mission.
Strategies for how to proceed
- Review your current mission statement, if you have one, with your colleagues.
This probably is best done at a faculty meeting. Time permitting, it could be discussed at the same meeting suggested in Step 2 to discuss Student Learning Outcomes. The program’s mission is the degree objectives and/or educational purpose for the program’s existence (Why are we here and what do we hope to achieve?) – a point on which there may or may not be total faculty agreement.
For example, some faculty may feel the purpose of the program is to prepare students for specific kinds of professional employment, while other faculty believe it is more important to prepare students for graduate or professional school and yet others may be less concerned with students’ post-graduate pursuits and instead committed to discipline mastery as the primary goal.
The faculty discussion is likely to be at least as important as the mission statement it produces. Clearly, all faculty need to agree in principle on the program’s mission in order to offer a congruent curriculum and to proceed with developing the assessment plan.
*Examples of program mission statements from the physics, accounting and education programs appear below.
- Affirm, rewrite or create your program's mission statement.
Download or print a copy of the Assessment Plan Template.
The Assessment Plan Template (a facsimile of the of the web interface) illustrates the text box where the mission statement should be entered.
Examples of program mission statements
The following are examples of program mission statements from two other institutions illustrate that missions vary and mission statements need not be lengthy to convey the program's purpose
- Physics (Degree Objectives)
- Our mission is to provide a quality education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities presented by our modern technical society. Rigorous classroom instruction and laboratory experiences using modern equipment and computers provide broad insight into nature and technology.
We seek to provide forefront research opportunities and experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students, and to address state and national priorities in competitive research programs.
(University of Nevada, Reno)
- Our mission is to provide a quality education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities presented by our modern technical society. Rigorous classroom instruction and laboratory experiences using modern equipment and computers provide broad insight into nature and technology.
We seek to provide forefront research opportunities and experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students, and to address state and national priorities in competitive research programs.
- Accounting (About Us . . .)
- The Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in accounting is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain entry-level positions in the field of accountancy. The knowledge and skills incorporated in the program also enable students to continue the professional and educational development necessary for successful advancement in their careers.
(University of Nevada, Reno)
- The Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in accounting is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain entry-level positions in the field of accountancy. The knowledge and skills incorporated in the program also enable students to continue the professional and educational development necessary for successful advancement in their careers.
- Curriculum Teaching & Learning (Purpose)
- The mission of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning program is to prepare beginning teachers who have a strong fund of knowledge, who engage in reflective practices, who love learning, and who value democracy and multiculturalism. All teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCATE). Outcomes are based on standards for beginning teachers from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment And Support Consortium (INTASC).
(University of Nevada, Reno)
- The mission of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning program is to prepare beginning teachers who have a strong fund of knowledge, who engage in reflective practices, who love learning, and who value democracy and multiculturalism. All teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCATE). Outcomes are based on standards for beginning teachers from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment And Support Consortium (INTASC).
Outcome Assessment
Outcomes assessment is focused on what each program has added to students' knowledge and abilities. Specifically, how well students can demonstrate competency about what they have learned as they are completing their work in the major or at some other important juncture in the curriculum.
You are now ready for Step 2
