Program Assessment

Introduction

At Oakland Community College, assessment is an on-going process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It involves making expectations clear to students and setting appropriate outcomes for learning. It helps determine how well student performance matches those outcomes. It uses the resulting information to improve student learning. The assessment process helps to support OCC’s shared academic culture dedicated to assuring and improving student learning. Assessment of student learning occurs at various academic levels. The goals at each level are different.

For program assessment, every degree, diploma, and certificate program has a statement of purpose and learning outcomes. Each learning outcome is measured by the faculty in the program through a variety of assignments, tests, practicum, projects, and licensing examinations. Also, in some cases program graduates are surveyed to get feedback about how well the program prepared them for their jobs. The goal of program assessment is to revise and improve the curriculum of the program and to insure student success.

Criteria for Determining Which Programs Need an Assessment Plan  -- Revised September 2007

Inclusions:

  1. All programs that lead to a formal award (degree/certificate) unless otherwise specified.
  2. Certificate programs without a directly related Associate’s Program must have at least two Learning Outcomes.
  3. Certificate of Achievement programs must have at least one Learning Objective. This may be embodied within the plan of the Associate/Certificate program.
  4. Program Options within a program, then the program option must have at least two Learning Outcomes directly linked to the goals of the option.

Exclusions:

  1. Applicant programs (prior to formal entry into the program) are excluded. Only actual degree program is assessed. This primarily pertains to Nursing and other Health Professions and Technology programs.
  2. Restricted programs (e.g. Apprenticeships, etc.) are excluded.
  3. Reciprocal programs are excluded (e.g. Veterinary Technician, Cosmetology).
  4. Program Options which are dependent on another discipline.  It is assumed that the other discipline/program has an assessment plan.
  5. Certificate programs are excluded providing there is a directly related Associates program that is required to have an assessment plan.