Academic Department Assessment
Assessment of academic departments includes the evaluation of student learning in academic and co-curricular programs. Departments engage in an ongoing five-step assessment process:
- Articulate Learning Objectives
- Collect Information
- Review Findings
- Report Results
- Use the information for improvement
This process supports continuous improvement in student learning and program effectiveness.
Resources
- Visit
- Email assessment@daemen.edu
Departmental Planning
Each academic department maintains a department plan that includes:
- Departmental information
- Assessment Plan for department student learning outcomes
- Goals and objectives aligned with the university's strategic plan
- Curriculum maps
Departments should review and update their plans annually and at key points in the institutional cycle, including Middle States self-study, specialized accreditation review, and strategic plan revisions. Departments are encouraged to review their plans each fall to ensure that designated student learning outcomes remain appropriate and that goals and objectives are current.
Review of the departmental plan should guide both annual assessment activities and five-year program review.
Resources
Departmental Reflection
Annual Academic Department Assessment Reports are completed each year by department chairs or program directors. Completed reports are added to the department鈥檚 page within the university鈥檚 .
Each spring, department chairs and program directors receive a customized report template that includes relevant institutional and assessment data. Final reports are due by September 22. After incorporating feedback from their dean, departments should upload completed reports according to the instructions provided in the template.
Five-Year Program Review
Academic programs typically undergo review on a five-year cycle. The purpose of program review is to ensure alignment with institutional goals and resources while providing departments with an opportunity to reflect on progress, strengths, and opportunities for improvement.
Departments participating in program review should submit Parts A and B of the Program Review Report to their dean by September 30 of the designated review year, unless an alternative timeline has been approved by the Dean and EPC Co-Chairs.
The curricular portion of the report is reviewed by a subcommittee of the Educational Policy Committee (EPC), and feedback is provided to the department chair during the academic year.
After the review is complete, the department chair meets with their dean and the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs to support follow-up discussion, planning, and continuous improvement.