One of the two required BGS concentrations must be from a discipline in the School of Arts and Sciences. All academic degree programs are reviewed on a seven year cycle. The schedule for department reviews is available in the document room. The process concludes with a meeting conducted by the APRC between program faculty and the appropriate dean during which the evaluation data is discussed and concrete proposals to support and improve the academic program are drafted. Be sure to discuss what your department has done to implement student learning outcome measures and how these measures have been used to change instruction.
Wide variation exists in how departments assess their program outcomes.
Approaches include comprehensive examinations, evaluation of student portfolios, student course evaluation data, and senior exit surveys. Approximately half of the departments in the sample provided little or no discussion in response to the annual report assessment item. Comprehensive testing is required for students seeking teacher certification. To earn certification, all students complete batteries of advanced tests in their certification fields. These tests are called Praxis II and are required by the State of Connecticut.