Bachelors of Science Common Student Learning Outcomes (Campus Programs)

Assessment Data Summary 2012-2013

Bachelors of Science Common Student Learning Outcomes (Campus Programs)

The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business common student learning outcomes for academic year 2012-2013 focused on three different program objectives: “communication”, “critical thinking” and “general business knowledge”.

Bachelors of Science Communications Learning Objectives

The College of Business focused on written and oral communication traits for students in their final semester prior to graduation. For written communication, students were required to submit a business plan as part of a Business Plan Research course Students excelled in five of the six criteria focused on effective writing in the production of a professional-looking and academically-sound document.

Students were also required to give an “elevator pitch” as part of the Business Plan Research course. The assignment encompassed the professionalism of the presentation, inclusive of written and verbal communication skills. It also included student performance under a rigorous question and answer session. Students excelled in five of the six criteria associated with a professional presentation based on effective written and verbal communication skills.

Bachelors of Science Critical Thinking Learning Objectives

A case study was administered in the Business Strategy and Policy course to assess the critical thinking skills of the senior-level students. Critical thinking is assessed in terms of a student’s ability to identify essential data, analyze data, and determine a viable solution. The outcome of the assessment process resulted in an increased emphasis on building critical thinking skills throughout the student’s academic career.

Bachelors of Science General Business Knowledge

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to students in the Business Strategy and Policy course taken during the senior year of study. This exam is designed to test students over twelve components of business, including finance, management, global business, accounting and marketing. The majority of our students scored in the targeted range put forth by the College of Business as part of its assessment plan.

Bachelors of Science Discipline Specific Student Learning Outcomes (Campus Programs)

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to business students, with the exception of Sport Management majors, to assess discipline-specific knowledge. (The Sport Management major is not supported by the CPC exam in regards to discipline-specific knowledge.) The

CPC exam results showed the business students generally scoring above the national average within the major field of study. The Sport Management students were assessed using exam questions developed by a doctorally-qualified subject matter expert. The exam results showed the majority of Sport Management students knowledgeable in contract analysis and financial transactions involving sports teams.

Bachelors of Arts Common Student Learning Outcomes (Online Programs)

The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business common student learning objectives for academic year 2012-2013 focused on three different program objectives: “communication”, “critical thinking” and “general business knowledge”.

Bachelors of Arts Communications Learning Objectives

The College of Business focused on written and oral communication traits for students in their final semester prior to graduation. For written communication, students were required to submit an industry analysis as part of the Strategic Management course. Students excelled in all six criteria focused on effective writing in the production of a professional-looking and academically-sound document.

Students were also required to conduct a presentation based on the industry analysis as part of the Strategic Management course. The assignment encompassed the professionalism of the presentation, inclusive of written and verbal communication skills. The data showed a need for effective data collection mechanisms utilizing online media. The College of Business has initiated the use of an assessment instrument allowing for the use of a range of media including video, animation, and sound, among others.

Bachelors of Arts Critical Thinking Learning Objectives

A case study was administered in the Strategic Management course to assess the critical thinking skills of senior-level students. Critical thinking is assessed in terms of a student’s ability to identify essential data, analyze data, and determine a viable solution. The outcome of the assessment process resulted in an increased emphasis on building critical thinking skills throughout the student’s academic career. Students will continue to be exposed to critical thinking concepts utilizing team and individual assignments and activities.

Bachelors of Arts General Business Knowledge

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to students in the Strategic Management course taken during the senior year of study. This exam is designed to test students over twelve components of business, including finance, management, global business, accounting and marketing. The majority of our students scored in the targeted range put forth by the College of Business as part of its assessment plan.

Bachelors of Arts Discipline Specific Student Learning Outcomes (Online Programs)

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to business students, with the exception of Healthcare Management majors, to assess discipline-specific knowledge. (The Healthcare Management major is not supported by the CPC exam in regards to discipline-specific knowledge.) The

CPC exam results showed the business students generally scoring above the national average within the major field of study. The Healthcare Management students were assessed using exam questions developed by a doctorally-qualified subject matter expert. The exam results showed the majority of Healthcare Management students knowledgeable in multiple healthcare concepts including marketing and planning.

Masters of Business Administration Common Student Learning Outcomes (Campus, Online, and Extended Studies)

MBA Communications Learning Objectives

The College of Business focused on written communication traits for students in their final semester prior to graduation. For written communication, students were required to submit a literature review in the Managerial Accounting course. Students excelled in all six criteria focused on effective writing in the production of a professional-looking and academically-sound document.

MBA Critical Thinking Learning Objectives

A case study was administered in the Strategic Management capstone course. Students in the MBA program excelled in applying critical thinking concepts including identifying relevant information, conducting an analysis of qualitative and quantitative information, and creating an implementable solution based off their analysis.

MBA General Business Knowledge

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to MBA students in the Strategic Management capstone course. This exam is designed to test graduate students over twelve components of business, including finance, management, global business, accounting and marketing. The majority of the MBA students scored in the targeted range put forth by the College of Business as part of its assessment plan; as well as they generally scored several percentage points above the average in each business component.

MBA Discipline Specific Student Learning Outcomes

A Common Professional Component (CPC) exam was administered to MBA students, with the exception of those pursuing a specialization in Healthcare Management, Internet Marketing, or Project Management, to assess discipline-specific knowledge. The MBA students taking the CPC exam generally scored two to five percentage points above the national average.

Students in the Healthcare Management specialization were assessed for discipline-specific knowledge using a term project. The students excelled in healthcare management concepts including marketing and planning. Students in the Internet Marketing specialization utilized embedded exam questions. The results reflected student excellence in utilizing marketing concepts as applied to digital media. Students in Project Management specialization were assessed utilizing embedded exam questions, focused on the five principles of project management. The assessment instruments were all developed by doctorally-qualified subject matter experts. The results reflected a depth-of-knowledge in the specific disciplines associated with the MBA program.