1. The Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee (SLOAC) oversees the assessment procedure at MSUM and approves all plans and reports. The SLOAC reports directly to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Assessment of the university’s general education program is not charged to the SLOAC.

2. Each baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree program will review its assessment plan and file an assessment report every year with the SLOAC. It is expected that programs will routinely gather and analyze assessment data and make appropriate changes.

3. Each program should specify a set of student learning outcomes for the students who graduate with the degree or certificate. Each program should also identify multiple measures to assess those learning outcomes. If a measure is not identified for each outcome, the program should clearly identify which are not being assessed and why. Each program will have assessed each outcome at least once during a six year review cycle. At least one assessment measure used by a
   program must be direct.

4. Each degree program’s list of student learning outcomes will be printed in the appropriate MSUM Bulletin. Prior to their publication, the SLOAC must approve the student learning outcomes. Any changes to those outcomes must be approved by the SLOAC.

5. The department or programmatic chair, or designee, is responsible for initiating assessment planning and reporting within the department/program. Departments and/or programmatic committees will formally approve the assessment plans and reports for which they are responsible.

6. Additional assessments of student learning are encouraged in other areas of the university where student involvement leads to learning that can be specified in terms of measurable outcomes (e.g. the Regional Science Center). The appropriate Vice-President, Dean, or Director will determine which additional programs would be effectively served by going through the student learning outcomes assessment process. Submission of an assessment report will make such programs eligible for Instructional Improvement Grants.

7. Programs that have external accreditation are required to provide SLOAC with the Accredited Programs Cover Sheet and a copy of all student learning assessment reports made to their accrediting agency and response from the agency according to the agency’s timeline. The Accredited Programs Cover Sheet communicates the program’s learning outcomes to the SLOAC for its approval. Any changes to the program’s outcomes must be reported to SLOAC via the Accredited Programs Cover Sheet for its approval. These programs are not
   required to complete any additional planning and reporting forms for SLOAC. Accredited programs are encouraged to consult with SLOAC as necessary and use its resources to inform their assessment procedures. Should an accredited program desire to apply for an Instructional Improvement Grant, they will be required to submit an assessment report—in the format of their agency—with the grant
   application.

8. Upon approval by the SLOAC, each program’s plan and report will be posted to the Assessment of Student Learning Web site. The SLOAC chair will provide regular information to the appropriate Dean or Director regarding a program’s status in the assessment review cycle.

9. The appropriate university administrator will provide a written response to the department following acceptance by SLOAC of the departments’ or program’s assessment plan and report.

10. Each year, the SLOAC chair will provide an assessment of student learning report to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs

11. The SLOAC will make recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council regarding Instructional Improvement Grants.

12. Recipients of Instructional Improvements Grants will file a report with theVice- President for Academic Affairs and the SLOAC as part of the program’s next report.

Approved by APAC, 12-05
Revised by SLOAC, 12-06
Revisions approved by APAC, 1-07

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