NCA Criteria for Accreditation | NAU Assessment Policies for Assessment Governance | NAU Assessment Policies for the Liberal Studies Curriculum | NAU Assessment Policies for Academic Units | NAU Assessment Policies for Courses

Policies

The following statements represent both institutional policies governing required assessment practices at Northern Arizona University and external policies according to which NAU is evaluated by its accrediting body. The external policies (NCA Criteria for Accreditation) have been reviewed and adopted by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The institutional assessment policies have been reviewed and adopted by the NAU Assessment Committee and approved by the NAU Presidential Cabinet. These institutional assessment policies do not constitute the entire scope of assessment practice at NAU. They simply state those practices officially required by the institution. Recommendations and guidelines for effective assessment practice can be located under the Assessment Information section of this web site (see navigation bar on left side of screen).

NAU's Assessment Policy is stated below. To view an official copy of the policy statement, click here.

Fundamental to both external and institutional policies is that student learning be assessed:

• at the course, degree-program, and institutional levels
• for graduate as well as undergraduate learning
• in electronic as well as face-to-face instruction
• in distributed/distance instruction as well as mountain campus instructional settings

NCA Criteria for Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association has adopted detailed criteria for evaluating and accrediting affiliated institutions. Note the explicit importance attributed to assessment of student learning outcomes in criteria 3 and 4.
http://www.ncacihe.org/restructuring/newcriteria/NewCriteria.pdf

NAU Assessment Policies for Assessment Governance

The NAU Assessment Committee is the official institutional body responsible for creating and recommending policies which govern assessment practices across the university. After review by the President’s Cabinet, the NAU Provost’s Office is responsible for reviewing and approving assessment policies for the institution.

NAU Assessment Policies for the Liberal Studies Curriculum

The NAU Liberal Studies Committee establishes policies for assessment of the liberal studies curriculum. Assessment of student learning outcomes for the general education requirements of the liberal studies curriculum is the responsibility of the Office of Academic Assessment. The assessment plan and reports for the liberal studies program will be treated by the Assessment Committee as a degree program plan/report. For more information, see the Liberal Studies section of this web site.

NAU Assessment Policies for Academic Units

For rationale, procedures, and recommendations for practice, please see the Degree Programs section of this web site:

1. Each academic unit designates an assessment liaison.
2. Each academic unit selects an annual assessment report due date.
3. Each academic unit provides a plan for the assessment of student learning outcomes in each degree program offered, regardless of delivery mode or location of study.
4. Each academic unit submits an annual assessment report for each degree program by the due date.
5. Assessment plans and reports are reviewed by the NAU Assessment Committee. The Assessment Committee works with the academic unit to revise the assessment plan or report as indicated.
6. Assessment plans and reports, once reviewed by the NAU Assessment Committee, will be posted to the OAA website.
7. Each academic unit includes documentation (plans and reports) of the use of the assessment of student learning outcomes in their seven-year Arizona Board of Regents Academic Program Reviews (effective for all reviews beginning 2003-04 and thereafter).

NAU Assessment Policies for Courses

For rationale, procedures, and recommendations for practice, please see the Course Strategies section of this web site:

1. Each course syllabus clearly states intended learning outcomes.
2. Each course syllabus clearly states how learning outcomes will be assessed.