Continuous improvement of Marylhurst's academic programs occurs annually within each academic department, based on the annual program assessment cycle:

Step 1: Write assessment plan (beginning of fall term)
Step 2: Identify assessment tools
Step 3: Collect data
Step 4: Aggregate data
Step 5: Analyze and reflect
Step 6: Plan action steps
Step 7: Write assessment report (end of summer term)

Each year, departments determine key questions about student learning and identify methodologies (including indirect and direct data sources) to answer these questions; they then "close the loop" by using their analysis to make changes within individual courses or the program as a whole. On an annual basis, departments may also choose to assess student experience, faculty/instruction, or curriculum for internal improvement.

Each fall, departments submit an annual assessment plan representing the assessment work planned for the year ahead. At the end of each summer term, departments submit an annual assessment report that identifies what assessment activities occurred in the past year, the findings/results, and changes or improvements made ("closing the loop"). Click here to access these annual plans and reports on My Marylhurst (login required).