Learning and Assessment

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Through attainment of the Institutional Objectives, the following Institutional Learning Outcomes will be met. Students will:

  1. Practice critical thinking and quantitative reasoning in business judgment, decision making, and problem solving.
  2. Utilize effective and persuasive communication and writing strategies in business leadership.
  3. Develop a specialized knowledge in their chosen field of study.
  4. Collect and analyze information in support of academic, professional and personal needs.
  5. Demonstrate understanding and maintain the respect of others, encouraging the diversity of individuals, groups, communities, cultures, and religions.

The Assessment Plan Committee and Developing the Plan

All segments of the Merit University (MU) community are committed to strengthening the quality of education offered. The development of the Assessment Plan (AP) is an ongoing process. The AP stands as a practical evaluation tool to document the progress MU is making. The AP makes certain that student learning outcomes are congruent with our mission and goals and consistent with its purposes and objectives.

The AP committee meets quarterly and has representation from administration, faculty, and staff. Aggregated data includes monitoring how well the current mission parallels with program objectives and student learning outcomes; periodic reviews of the curriculum; the analysis of student retention rates as a determining factor in the success of the courses of study presented; comparing student placement data; the surveying of employers and graduates concerning their overall satisfaction with the education at the university; and the evaluation of other informational input from advisory boards, faculty, staff, and students. From these results appropriate changes are made or positive directions are reinforced.

The AP committee is chaired by the dean of academic affairs and assisted by the dean of financial affairs, the registrar, the director of student services, the director of admissions, the director of career and placement services, and faculty members. The committee maintains a current roster, collects pertinent data for analysis, schedules meetings, circulates minutes and implements recommendations after the president and board’s annual approval.

Student Learning Outcome and Academic Assessment

Most programs measured multiple learning outcomes and used multiple measures. Direct measures examine or observe student knowledge, skills, attitudes or behaviors. The most frequently used direct measures in graduate programs are written assignments, oral presentations, exams, quizzes, and research papers/projects.

Indirect measures evaluate perceived learning and may be used to supplement direct measures. Surveys are commonly used as indirect measures.

Direct: GPA Measures of Program and Capstone Courses

Direct: Pre and Post-tests Results

Indirect: Student Satisfaction

Curriculum Map

A curriculum map is a matrix that shows where in the program’s curriculum each learning outcome will be addressed.  Developing a curriculum map helps program faculty coordinate their instruction so that there are no gaps or unnecessary redundancies.

2022

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Curriculum Map

Master of Science in Management (MSM) Curriculum Map

Resources

Retention Rate 2016-2021

Graduation Rate 2016-2019