University-Wide Assessment of Student Learning

ONU Student Leraning Outcomes
 

 As a results of their educational experiences at Ohio Northern University, students will be able to demonstrate:
 

1. Effective communication
2. Critical and creative thinking
3. Scientific and quantitative literacy
4. An understanding of diverse cultures and their effects on human interaction
5. Integration of concepts across disciplines
6. Informed and ethical responses to personal, civic, and global needs
7. Informed responses to aesthetics in art or nature

Measures
 

The Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP), developed by ACT, is a standardized, nationally normed method of assessing higher level learning related to general education programs.  Beginning in the fall of 2011, Ohio Northern first-year and senior students participate in two of the CAAP test modules (Critical Thinking and Writing Essay) that correspond with assessing the University's learning outcomes of Critical & Creative Thinking and Effective Communication.

TheNATIONAL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (NSSE) and the LAW SCHOOL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (LSSSE) were designed to assess the extent to which students are engaged in effective educational practices that are linked with learning, personal development, and other desirable outcomes for student success such as satisfaction, persistence, and graduation.  In one section of the survey, students indicate the extent to which their experience at Ohio Northern contributed to their knowledge, skills and personal development in several areas that correspond with the University's learning outcomes.  The Pettit College of Law participates in LSSSE every spring. Students from the other four colleges participate in NSSE every other year.  NSSE Institutional Reports

The COLLEGE SENIOR SURVEY (CSS), developed by the Higher Education Research Institute, was designed to help institutions respond to the need for assessment and accountability data by providing information on a broad range of student outcomes. Outcomes include a section of questions where students indicate whether or not their abilities in several areas (related to the University's general learning objectives) are stronger compared to when they first started at Ohio Northern. Graduating students (except in law) participate in the CSS every other year (alternating with NSSE).

The ALUMNI SURVEY was developed locally to determine the degree to which various learning outcomes associated with the University's general learning objectives are obtained. Graduates indicate to what extent they consider the importance of each outcome to their development and the extent to which their experience at Ohio Northern has contributed to their development for each outcome. The Alumni Survey is conducted every three years.

The EMPLOYER SURVEY was developed to coincide with the alumni survey and asks employers of graduates to indicate the importance of outcomes related to the University's general learning objectives and the extent to which the Ohio Northern graduate in their employ demonstrates each of the outcomes. The Employer Survey is conducted every three years in conjunction with the Alumni Survey.

Most students planning on attending graduate school take the GRADUATE RECORD EXAM. The General Test measures verbal, quantitative and writing skills. Results presented in this report only include those students choosing to report their scores back to Ohio Northern University. Normally only half of the students estimated to have taken the exam report their scores to ONU. During the 2005-06 academic year, 49 Ohio Northern students or graduates reported their GRE scores to the University.

Several academic programs require students to pass NATIONAL or STATE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS before they are able to practice in their discipline. These programs include athletic training, clinical laboratory science, education, engineering, law and pharmacy. Additionally students from the business college and students majoring in a biology discipline take ETS® Major Field Tests to indicate their proficiency in a given subject area. Specific details of testing and results are located in each major or program assessment report.

The Office of Career Services reports PLACEMENT RATES for graduates (at 6 months after commencement) each year.

The Office of Residence Life administers an annual RESIDENCE-LIFE SURVEY electronically to students residing in campus housing, which includes a section to evaluate the extent to which campus living contributes to a student's personal growth and development.

Data is collected using COURSE-EMBEDDED ASSESSMENTS from courses within the department of communication arts and the department of english, which is designed to measure students' abilities in writing and public speaking. Assessments include papers, book-report evaluations, book-analysis assignments, and informative and persuasive speeches.