Making Connections Between Courses and Programs of Study

There are three main stages in the process of assessing the outcomes of certificate and major SLOs.

Stating and “mapping” SLOs for the certificate or major
Listing the SLOs on the certificate or major Web site
Assessing the SLOs

Identifying and assessing the Student Learning Outcomes for certificate and major programs of study are important for several reasons.

• Stating the SLOs on certificate and major Web sites clearly shows students what skills and knowledge they will achieve through successful completion.
  
  
• The process of identifying the certificate and/or major SLOs allows discipline faculty to review and ensure the alignment of a program’s courses with the outcomes.
  
  
• Assessment of certificates and majors demonstrates the college’s success in meeting its mission regarding degree completion, transfer, and job preparedness.
  
  
• The college can demonstrate proficiency in meeting accreditation standards, specifically addressing, “Student learning outcomes and authentic assessment are in place for courses, programs, and degrees.”

SRJC’s current goal is to have SLOs for all certificates and majors on their respective Web sites before the end of spring 2012. It is expected that the assessment of certificate and major SLOs will be in progress throughout the year as well.

Stating and Mapping Certificates and Major SLOs

1. Discipline faculty develop SLOs for the certificate or major. (Typical is 3-8 SLOs, depending on the extent of the program.)
Example: Restaurant Management Major SLOs
1. Manage a restaurant to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation regulations.
2. Apply background, culture and history of culinary arts and terminology in a food service business setting.
3. Use basic math skills to accomplish cash management and labor and food costing.
4. Exhibit, recognize, motivate and develop employee professionalism in a restaurant setting.
5. State federal and state wage and labor laws.
2. Faculty create a Program Map to show how courses relate to the SLOs of the certificate/major. Please see the Restaurant Management Major Map for an example of how courses are “mapped” to the program outcomes.

More Examples of Program Maps for Majors and Certificates (PDFs)

Submission of Certificate/Major SLOs and Map

1. Department accesses and completes “Certificate and Major Revision Form,” available under “Forms” on the Curriculum Web site, attaching the list of SLOs and Program Map. Electronic and hard copies are sent to department chair for signature.
   
   
2. Department chair forwards hard copies and electronic versions of form, SLOs, and map to dean, who places them on Cluster Tech Review agenda.
   
   
3. Cluster Tech Review Committee reviews SLOs for clarity and completeness and provides feedback as necessary to the submitting department. The Program Map accompanies the SLOs to illustrate the composition of the certificate or major, but this part is not reviewed by the CTRC.
   
   
4. If needed, submitting department makes any recommended changes to SLOs and then sends to dean. The department should keep a copy of the SLOs and program map.

Listing the SLOs on Certificate and Major Web Sites

1. After Cluster Tech Review, the dean submits the Certificate/Major revision form, finalized list of SLOs, and program map electronically and as hard copy to Jeff Shaver in the Curriculum Office.
   
   
2. The certificate or major appears on the next available Curriculum Review Committee Consent Agenda for approval of revision, including SLOs. (The submitter does not need to attend the meeting.)
   
   
3. After CRC approval, the Curriculum Office recommends the certificate/major revision for Board approval.
   
   
4. After board approval, the Curriculum Office enters the SLOs on the Certificate/Major Web site.

Assessing Certificate and Major SLOs

There are three ways to assess a certificate or major. The department will choose the most appropriate method:

1. Cumulative, or “ground up.” A certificate or major is considered assessed when all of its core courses and representative restricted elective courses have been assessed. In other words, since all of the courses are connected to the program outcomes, when the course assessments are completed, the program itself has been assessed. This method may be appropriate for traditional academic majors, such as English or a Social Science, where there is no cohort of students or a culminating course composed exclusively of those majors. See the Certificate/Major Cumulative Assessment form (Word doc) to record this method.
   
   
2. “Capstone course.” Many CTE certificates and majors have a final course that requires students to demonstrate the highest levels of applying skills and concepts, synthesizing solutions to problems, and working independently. The SLOs of these courses are often very similar to the certificate or major SLOs, so when the course is assessed, the program is essentially assessed as well. Use the Fall 2011 Course SLO Assessment Procedures form (Word doc).
   
   
3. External assessments. For a number of CTE certificates and majors, such as those in the Health Sciences, students who complete the program must also pass a licensing exam or another test by an external agency. Departments that receive reports of student scores may choose to use this information for their assessment. Use the Fall 2011 Course SLO Assessment Procedures form (Word doc).

SLO Assessment Showcase, Resources, and Forms

Assistance

For assistance in identifying or assessing program outcomes, contact Carole Bennett or Wanda Burzycki, SLO Coordinators, or for Student Services, Nancy Chinn.