Assessment at University of Detroit Mercy



The Assessment Team is the primary oversight body for the student outcomes assessment programs of the University. The Assessment Team reports to the vice president for Academic Affairs and is comprised of
- One representative from each of the colleges or schools.
- One representative from the library.
- One faculty member from the McNichols Faculty Assembly.
- Two administrative representatives.
The Assessment Team is responsible for
- Developing a mechanism for sharing best practices around the University regarding assessment.
- Reviewing the assessment methodologies being used by each school and identifying those schools in which assessment activities require improvement.
- Providing ongoing reports to and consultation with the academic vice president and provost.
- Keeping the University community informed of team activities.
Coming Soon - Institutional Outcomes (Link to Proposal)
Assessing Academic Programs
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Assessment Overview
Assessment of Student Learning
Assessment of student learning is the systematic collection of information about student learning, using the time, knowledge, expertise and resources available, in order to inform decisions about how to improve learning (Walvoord, Assessment Clear and Simple). At the heart of our assessment efforts is the work of Barbara Walvoord who states the three steps of assessment are:
- Articulate goals for student learning.
- Gather evidence about how well students are meeting the goals.
- Use the information for improvement.
The defining feature of Walvoord's approach to assessment is her emphasis on the course-embedded assignment and on the professional expertise of the individual professor, whose experience in grading student work is the foundational assessment act. Walvoord suggests that professors become intentional, reflective, and explicit in identifying and sharing criteria for students’ expected level of performance on each assignment. She asks professors to develop rubrics that specify levels of performance across various criteria, to use the rubrics to score student work, and then to analyze the distribution of scores to discover patterns of strengths and weaknesses in student performance. When these patterns are reported at a department meeting, the ensuing faculty discussion often leads to suggested improvements in teaching methods, assignments, course design, or curricular coverage to ameliorate weaknesses. A department's assessment plan consists of student learning outcomes, assessment methods (embedded assignments) and criteria for success.
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Program Assessment Resources
Overview of Assessment Plans and Annual Reports for Academic Programs
The Assessment Team at Detroit Mercy is charged with advocating for the enhancement of student learning through purposeful, meaningful, and feasible student-outcome s assessment practices using an institution-wide assessment management system . For the 2020-2021 academic year, we will begin collecting assessment information using two forms.
Assessment of Student Learning Overview
Curriculum Outcomes Assessment Matrix
For assistance with completing either form, please plan to attend the Colleague Day Session (Aug 18 or 19, 2020) and /or contact any of the Assessment Team members.
Assessment Plan for Academic Programs : This form is completed once (due December 15, 2020 ) to capture the student learning outcomes of the program, the assessment methods, benchmarks of success, and assessment cycle. It is completed again when the program makes changes to any of the assessment plan components. The program must keep a copy of the plan for their records (a copy is sent via email upon completion). The University Assessment Team will also maintain a copy.
Due date for Assessment Plan: December 15, 2020
PDF of Blank Assessment PlanWorksheet: Developing a Program Assessment Plan
Assessment Plan Rubric: The University Assessment Team uses a rubric to review and provide feedback to program faculty regarding their Program Assessment Plans.
Program Assessment Plan Rubric
Annual Assessment Report for Academic Programs : This report is completed annually by all academic programs by December 15th of the year following the assessment. This document will serve as evidence of student learning. A PDF of the document will be posted to the Academic Affairs website and the program should keep a copy for their records (a copy is sent via email upon completion).
Due date for Annual Assessment Report: December 15, 2021
PDF of Blank Annual Assessment Report
Assessment Reports
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Co-Curricular Programs
Co-Curricular Programs at Detroit Mercy are “Learning activities, programs and experiences that reinforce the institution’s mission and values and complement the formal curriculum” (HLC). Quality co-curricular experiences begin with program assessment plans that articulate intended student learning and methods of assessment. Annual assessment reports capture student performance and actions for continuous improvement.
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Core Curricular Outcomes
University of Detroit Mercy's mission statement describes an education that integrates “the intellectual, spiritual, moral and social development” of its students. As the shared academic experience of all Detroit Mercy undergraduates, the Core Curriculum is the foundation for achieving this mission, and for ensuring that each of its graduates will understand, pursue, and live out that mission. For more details visit the Core Curriculum webpage.
The Core Curriculum Assessment Committee oversees the assessment of Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes. The process used to assess student learning in each knowledge area or integrating theme involves faculty assessing random samples of student artifacts collected from core approved courses. Rubrics are developed using the core curriculum outcomes and the AAC&U VALUE Rubrics.
Knowledge Areas
Knowledge Area A – Communication Skills
A1: Oral Communication Rubric
Assessment Report (Oral Communications)
A2: Written Communication Rubric
Assessment Report (Written Communications)
Knowledge Area B – Mathematics / Statistical Knowledge
B1 – Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning Rubric
Assessment Report
B2 – Statistical and Probabilistic Reasoning Rubric
Assessment Report
Knowledge Area C – Scientific Knowledge
C1 – Physical Sciences Rubric
Assessment Report
C2 – Social Sciences Rubric
Assessment Report
Knowledge Area D – Religious and Philosophical Knowledge
D1 – Philosophical Knowledge Rubric
Assessment Report
D2 – Religious Knowledge Rubric
Assessment Report
Knowledge Area E – Essential Humanities
E1 – Historical Experiences Rubric
Assessment Report
E2 – Literary Experiences Rubric
Assessment Report
E3 – Aesthetic Experiences Rubric
Assessment Report
Knowledge Area F – Ethics and Social Responsibility
F1 – Ethics Outcomes Rubric
Assessment Report
Integrating Themes
IT1 – Reading, Writing, and Research Across the Curriculum Rubric
Assessment Report
IT2 – Critical Thinking Rubric
Assessment Report
IT3 – Cultural Diversity Rubric
Assessment Report
IT4 – Human Difference Rubric
Assessment Report
IT5 – Personal Spiritual Development Rubric
Assessment Report
IT6 – Spirituality and Social Justice Rubric
Assessment Report -
College of Business Administration
List of College of Business Administration Programs, Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Reports. Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Business Administration (BS) Program Goals and Objectives Yes
Assessment Summary Report MBA Program Goals and Objectives Yes
Assessment Summary Report -
College of Engineering & Science
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College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing
List of College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing Programs, Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Reports. Undergraduate Program and Outcomes
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Health Services Administration Health Services Administration (BS) Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Health Information Management and Technology (BS) Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Health Information Management and Technology Minor Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Physician Assistant Master's Program Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Graduate Programs and Outcomes
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Master of Science in Nursing - MSN FNP, MSN AGCNS, MSN NHL, MSN CNL
Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Health Services Administration Master of Health Services Administration Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report Physician Assistant Physician Assistant Program Program Objectives and Outcomes yes
Assessment Summary Report -
College of Liberal Arts & Education
List of College of Liberal Arts & Education Programs, Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Reports. Undergraduate Program
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Addiction Studies (BS - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report African American Studies (Minor) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Communication Studies (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Computer & Information Systems (Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems w/ Cybersecurity Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Criminal Justice (BS - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Economics (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report English (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Financial Economics (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report History (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Philosophy (BA - Major) and (BA - Minor) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Political Science (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Psychology, Developmental (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Psychology (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Psychology, Industrial/Organizational (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Religious Studies (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Islamic Studies (Minor) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Social Work (BSW) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Theatre (BA - Major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Graduate Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Addiction Counseling (MA with Addiction Counseling major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Addiction Studies - Graduate Certificate Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Applied Data Analytics (Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Computer and Information Systems (MS CIS - Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems with Software Management major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Information Assurance (MS IA - Master of Science in Information Assurance with Cybersecurity major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Clinical Mental Health (MA with Clinical Mental Health major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report School Counseling (MA with School Counseling major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report School Counseling Post Graduate Endorsement Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report School Counseling Post-Graduate License Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Criminal Justice (MA with Criminal Justice major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Economics (MAE - Master of Arts in Economics) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Financial Economics (MAF - Master of Arts in Financial Economics) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Intelligence Analysis (MSA - Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Liberal Studies (MALS - Master of Arts in Liberal Studies) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Clinical Psychology - Doctoral Program Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report MA with Clinical Psychology major Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Industrial/Organizational (MA with Industrial/Organizational Psychology major) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Religious Studies (MA with Religious Studies major) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report -
Interdisciplinary Programs
List of Interdisciplinary Programs, Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Reports. Programs Outcomes Assessment Plan on File Annual Assessment Catholic Studies Program Program Goals and Objectives no
Assessment Summary Report Honors Program Program Goals and Objectives no
Assessment Summary Report Leadership Minor Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Women's and Gender Studies Minor Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report -
School of Architecture
List of School of Architecture Programs, Goals, and Assessment Reports Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Plan on File
Annual Assessment
Architecture (BS) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Architecture (M.Arch) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report Master of Community Development (MCD) Program Goals and Objectives no Assessment Summary Report -
School of Dentistry
List of School of Dentistry Programs, Goals, Objectives, and Assessment Reports Doctor of Dental Surgery Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Report on File
Annual Assessment
Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program
Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Dental Hygiene Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Report on File
Annual Assessment
Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Graduate Programs
Outcomes
Assessment Report on File
Annual Assessment
Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Endodontics Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Orthodontics Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report Periodontics Program Goals and Objectives yes
Assessment Summary Report -
School of Law
List of School of Law Programs, Goals, and Assessment Reports Programs Outcomes Assessment Plan on File Annual Assessment Program Goals and Objectives coming soon Assessment Summary Report Program Goals and Objectives coming soon Assessment Summary Report Program Goals and Objectives coming soon Assessment Summary Report