Student Affairs Administration, MA
Learning Outcomes/Goals:
1.Understand and articulate the role of student affairs in the context of postsecondary education.
2. Reference historical and current documents that state the philosophical foundations of the profession and communicate their relevance to current student affairs practice.
3. Articulate the inherent values of the profession that are stipulated in historical and current documents in a manner that indicates how these values guide practice.
4.Understand complexities of diversity and multiculturalism as they affect higher education and student affairs.
5.Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate theory (e.g., student development, organizational, learning, leadership, etc.) and data-based decision making to assist institutions in accomplishing their missions.
6.Demonstrate a flexible capacity to use skill sets (e.g., technology, distance learning, communication, etc.) to deliver programs and services that engage students and foster student learning and development.
7. Analyze, understand, create, and/or modify learning environments.
8.Use appropriate theory to understand, support, and advocate for student learning and development.
9.Assess learning and developmental needs and outcomes.
10.Demonstrate knowledge of the influence of student characteristics and collegiate environments on student learning and learning opportunities.
11.Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and awareness of resources necessary to design and evaluate effective educational interventions and/or programs for individuals and groups.
12.Demonstrate ability to identify and appropriately refer persons who need additional resources
13.Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply a code of ethics or ethical principles sanctioned by a recognized professional organization.
14.Critique research and evaluation in higher education, as well as to design, conduct, and report sound research, assessment, or program evaluation in student affairs.
15.Demonstrate awareness of research ethics and legal implications of research including the necessity of adhering to a human subjects review.
16.Demonstrate ability to communicate in various written and oral genres and media (e.g., research reports, literature reviews, administrative documents, online formats, etc.).
17.Be able to think, learn, adapt, and work both autonomously and collaboratively to solve problems and to lead in changing postsecondary contexts.
18.Understand and internalize learning, engage in self-reflection, and see self in a variety of professional contexts.
19.Understand the principles and roles of lifelong learning and professional development for self and others working in professional and pre-professional roles in student affairs.
Assessment Methods:
- Capstone portfolio reviews
- Comprehensive examinations
- In class work
Assessment Results:
- The assessments are on-going, so results are regularly fed back into the curriculum discussions for the three programs within the unit.
- One result of the assessment was determining those classes that did not contribute to overall ILOs for a program, leading to some recommendations for program restructuring.
- More careful construction of writing across the curriculum objectives for one program was also a result of ILO assessment.
- In general, we believe the assessments are demonstrating that students are accomplishing the ILOs for their program.
Action Taken:
As a result of the on-going assessments, we are returning the feedback directly to curriculum discussions for improving courses, program structures, and various assessment tools. Some of these adjustments are readily accomplished and others may require more systemic responses by the collective faculty.
Results from Action Taken:
In the current round of assessments, other than curricular changes noted, we do not yet have results to report.
Future Plans:
We are working on completing our assessment during spring term, 2006.