Alignment to purpose statement

High-quality degree program student learning outcomes align with the degree program mission and purpose. The mission and purpose of the degree program defines the future activities for which the degree program is preparing students. Some programs may have multiple potential directions for their students, such as careers, graduate school, or general skills and knowledge that can be applied to a variety of futures. The degree program student learning outcomes should be a natural deeper description of the knowledge and skills (attitudes, ways of knowing, etc.) students will achieve, and through the achievement of those outcomes, they will be successful in the future potential pathways identified by the degree program.

For example, the purpose of the Secondary Education programs is to provide students with all of the skills and knowledge they need to become teachers in their specific content area. Learning outcomes in Secondary Education programs encompass all of the skills and knowledge to develop curriculum, assess students’ learning, and modify curriculum based on what students have learned. In addition, they include all of the knowledge of the content discipline of the degree program (e.g., English, Biology, Mathematics, etc.).

Another example is Geology. Their mission is to prepare students for three potential areas: further study in Geology, a career in Geology, or going directly into a career that may or may not be related to Geology once they complete their degree. Degrees with broader goals tend to focus more on the elements of critical thinking. Critical thinking goals show up in the Degree Program Student Learning Outcomes through clearer definitions of the types of analysis and synthesis students learn within the discipline. Examples are below:

English B.A.

Purpose	Associated Learning Outcome(s)
Our graduates have developed their historical and cultural imaginations by studying the marks of other times and diverse peoples in language and text	General Knowledge of English: Graduates will know how social, cultural, and historical contexts affect personal expression; the reception, comprehension, or study of texts; and specific communication purposes for both writers and readers. Graduates will be conversant with English in global settings and with the increasing impact of international forces—the history and politics of cultural and linguistic diversity, of environmental sustainability, and of globalization—on the discipline of English.

Purpose

Associated Learning Outcome(s)

Our graduates have developed their historical and cultural imaginations by studying the marks of other times and diverse peoples in language and text

General Knowledge of English:

Graduates will know how social, cultural, and historical contexts affect personal expression; the reception, comprehension, or study of texts; and specific communication purposes for both writers and readers. Graduates will be conversant with English in global settings and with the increasing impact of international forces—the history and politics of cultural and linguistic diversity, of environmental sustainability, and of globalization—on the discipline of English.

Chemistry M.S.

Purpose	Associated Learning Outcomes
The Chemistry M.S. program prepares students for research-focused professions in the chemical sciences, emphasizing the development of a students' ability to develop experimental approaches that accurately capture information to solve questions and problems in their chemical field of study.	Apply appropriate research methods and analysis as evidenced by skills such as: Planning and carrying out a research project independently; Demonstrating the ability to be self-critical in evaluating procedures and outcomes; Taking responsibility for the success of a research project; Participating and collaborating with members of their research group and with people outside of their group; and/or Understanding the limitations of the research methods used in their work.

Purpose

Associated
Learning
Outcomes

The Chemistry M.S. program prepares students for research-focused professions in the chemical sciences, emphasizing the development of a students' ability to develop experimental approaches that accurately capture information to solve questions and problems in their chemical field of study.

Apply appropriate research methods and analysis as evidenced by skills such as:

Planning and carrying out a research project independently;
Demonstrating the ability to be self-critical in evaluating procedures and outcomes;
Taking responsibility for the success of a research project;
Participating and collaborating with members of their research group and with people outside of their group; and/or
Understanding the limitations of the research methods used in their work.