Academic Assessment

Brenau University is committed to excellence and integrity in its academic programs and consequently has developed plans for assessing Liberal Education learning outcomes as well as the expected learning outcomes of each degree program.

Specific assessment plans and annual reports for each major are maintained in the University’s assessment management system, Compliance Assist, and final reports also saved on the web site of the Office of Academic Assessment. The academic majors determine and administer their own evaluations of their major field learning outcomes through capstone experiences, major field achievement tests, juried performances or other evaluation methods; data collection is consistent across all delivery methods. The Office of Academic Assessment coordinates the periodic administration of the ETS Proficiency Profile as well as occasional surveys or focus group discussions, and institutional evaluations of core competencies. The Office of Institutional Research administers the National Survey of Student Engagement as well as alumni and advising surveys. Results of these assessment and research activities are distributed to the academic administration and the faculty to provide them additional data in support of program planning and instructional, curricular and support service improvement.

Assessment of the Liberal Education Program  outcomes is coordinated by the Office of Assessment in conjunction with the faculty Liberal Education Committee. Rubrics have been created to be used in all courses in the LE curriculum to assure Assessment of the relevant LE learning outcome, guiding collection of evidence of student performance and outcome achievement. A five year cycle of LE Outcome review provides data on 3 LE outcomes per year to be reviewed by the Assessment Subcommittee of the faculty LE committee and summarized with recommendations for the full committee.

Core Competencies

Brenau University has designated four “core competencies” that coincide with the university’s four portals of learning. The Core Competencies are required to be among the learning outcomes for every undergraduate major in the university and thus are assessed in each major’s 3 year assessment rotation, documented on the Assessment website.

Students’ Role and Responsibilities in Institutional Assessment

In support of continual program improvement and enhanced student learning, Brenau reserves the right to require all students enrolled in academic programs to complete standardized tests or other assessment instruments administered by the institution. Students will be given appropriate notice of dates and locations for such testing. In the case of overall institutional testing and in certain majors, completion of these tests may constitute a graduation requirement.

In the Women’s College, an Assessment Day is held Spring Semester and designated annually on the university master calendar. It provides an opportunity for the university to collect student feedback and outcomes data, and for students to participate in institutional and major field assessment activities outside of the classroom setting. Attendance is required of all full-time enrolled undergraduate Women’s College and Gainesville Day students, residential or commuting: these students are reminded to make necessary arrangements with employers and child care providers well in advance as they would for any required class.

Academic departments also create plans for collecting similar data and feedback from students in their online majors and at satellite campuses via course- embedded activities to assure comparability of learning outcomes across the university.

Senior Testing

Comprehensive Examinations for Seniors. All seniors are required to take any comprehensive or core competency examinations which may be administered each year by Brenau or its various departments. This may include, but is not limited to, area achievement tests or the Graduate Record Examination.