Educational Programs
Assessment Reporting Overview
The Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment (OPIE) has established a periodic assessment reporting process to ensure that all Educational Programs engage in the continuous improvement process thereby meeting SACSCOC expectations of Institutional Effectiveness (IE).
Educational Program Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
Educational Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) assessment is the process of collecting and reviewing data related to the accumulated knowledge, skills, and attitudes students develop during a course of study and using that information to understand and improve an academic program.
Defining Educational Program Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
Educational programs are defined by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) as a coherent set of courses leading to a credential (degree, diploma, or certificate) awarded by the institution (SACSCOC Resource Manual).
At UTPB, student learning outcome assessment plans must be developed for each:
- Bachelor's degree program listed in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) program inventory.
- Graduate degree program listed in the THECB program inventory.
- Professional program listed in the THECB program inventory.
- Undergraduate stand-alone minor approved by UTPB.
- Undergraduate stand-alone certificate approved by UTPB and, when required, the THECB.
- Graduate stand-alone certificate approved by UTPB and, when required, the THECB.
For more information about educational program definitions, see Assessing Student Learning Outcomes in Educational Programs: Definitions
New Program Exceptions
New degree programs have four years to complete an entire two-year assessment cycle (complete all 4 phases) and to have at least one cohort finish the curriculum.
New programs, however, should develop an assessment plan and begin to assess student learning outcomes as soon as possible. Programs may use assessment results to make changes if the changes seem warranted, but they are not required to make changes during that period.
At the end of the four years, programs are expected to document and use results regularly to improve the attainment of outcomes by students.
Keep it Manageable
Access between 3 to 5 SLOs each year.
Programs that have more than 5 SLOs may consider a SLO rotation plan similar to UTPB’s assessment of the general education learning outcomes. Please contact the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for further details.
Assessment Timeline
Annual Program Assessment is due by October 15 for each academic year:
- Results, findings and action plans from academic year 2023-2024
- New assessment plans for 2024-2025