Assessment

Capitol College believes that assessment and evaluation play a critical role in identifying areas for improvement. This process also allows our constituents - faculty, students, alumni, employers and advisory boards - to give feedback, moving the college forward.

With input from the Faculty Senate, the Middle States Association steering committee and industry representatives, the college has identified the following core student learning goals:

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to speak, listen and write effectively.
• Graduates must demonstrate the ability to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate and use this information.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to think critically.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate that they are a productive member of a team.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of ethical principles.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of how their actions impact immediate and external environments.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of different cultures and values.
• Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in their degree program.

The following are tools for reviewing and assessing student learning outcomes:

• Course evaluations
• Graduating student surveys
• Two- and five-year alumni surveys
• Focus groups including the Alumni Advisory Board and industrial advisory boards (by academic program), alumni focus groups and employer focus groups.
• Course-specific measures, such as quizzes, presentations and exams.

Annual Assessment Activities

Capitol College has identified five constituents that can help improve and maintain its program: students, faculty, employers of our students, alumni and the industrial advisory boards. The following calendar marks important assessment events using these constituents during the academic year.

Spring Semester

1. Faculty members discuss the results of alumni and employer surveys conducted in the fall semester of the previous year.
2. Employer surveys are distributed and collected at the annual Career Fair. Academic deans conduct focus groups with employers.
3. Results of alumni and employer surveys are discussed at the spring meetings of the industrial advisory boards. Any adopted changes are implemented the following fall semester.
4. Graduating students complete a survey on outcomes. The senior survey results are compiled and analyzed by department.

Fall Semester

1. Faculty members discuss the results of the senior outcomes survey at orientation.
2. Results of the senior outcomes survey are discussed at the fall meetings of the industrial advisory boards.
3. Surveys are sent to college alumni who graduated two and five years ago.
4. Results from the alumni surveys and the employer surveys are compiled and analyzed for discussion the following spring semester.

Assessment by Degree