Assessment at University Studies

Assessment of student learning plays a central role in helping University Studies further our departmental and faculty development. Multiple measures are used to triangulate assessment data to make it useful to faculty, mentors and students so that they can apply the information to furthering learning objectives. The assessment measures used are formative, summative, and end-of-term review.

The data from formative assessment is collected early in the class and is used to help faculty and mentors understand what is working—or not—in order to clarify issues and make changes to enhance student learning. Summative data is drawn from end-of-term course evaluations, surveys, student portfolios and key assignments, and is used for faculty, mentor and program evaluation. This summative data forms the basis of the program’s end-of-year review, where our assessment plan is reviewed and revised, with areas needing improvement forming the focus for our work in the following year. The annual reports are shared with the campus and placed on the website.

Overview of Assessment Findings

Based on course evaluations, students report high satisfaction with Freshman and Sophomore Inquiry and Senior Capstones courses. Student satisfaction with the institution also increased since the program began, and PSU is now an institution of choice for a majority of our students.

Institutional data has shown that students who begin in Freshman Inquiry achieve higher GPAs, carry more credits, and are retained in higher numbers than transfer students. Based on the year-long FRINQ portfolio review, students perform at or above the expectation for first year students. They score higher in key program goals, including writing and critical thinking, and at acceptable levels in social responsibility, quantitative literacy and diversity of human experience. In 2003-04, students’ scores in the diversity of human experience, critical thinking, and social responsibility and ethical issues improved significantly over previous years.

In the Senior Capstones, significant percentages (over 50 percent or over 850 students) of students report that their capstone course improved their:

  • ability to think critically,
  • understanding of the diversity of human experience and cultures,
  • understanding of social problems facing their community and the nation,
  • leadership abilities,
  • understanding of themselves,
  • interpersonal skills,
  • ability to work cooperatively,
  • tolerance of others with different beliefs,
  • sense of personal ethics,
  • awareness of their own prejudices,
  • commitment to civic responsibility,
  • desire to promote social justice and equity,
  • view of themselves as active citizens,
  • openness to having their views challenged, and
  • ability to discuss and negotiate controversial issues.

These findings demonstrate that the University Studies Program is successful in helping students achieve the four goals of PSU's general education program. For in-depth information on our assessment findings, please refer to our assessment reports.