Academic Assessment

Arcadia University has established a robust commitment to effective assessment practices in Academic Affairs. Using mission-based foundations and systematic exploration, faculty and staff at Arcadia are committed to analyzing evidence of effectiveness of areas such as student learning, faculty efficacy, program effectiveness, and the successful achievement of all programs meeting the standards of their accrediting bodies. Arcadia University believes that the continuous, structured and thorough exploration of teaching and learning leads to dynamic university-wide improvements, as well as to the acknowledgement of successful practice.

Arcadia believes that every project works best when the assessment:

• Fosters and encourages improvement and growth;
• Serves a clear and stated purpose;
• Addresses the various needs of the units dynamically;
• Incorporates both outcomes and experiences;
• Provides continuous and outcomes-based feedback;
• Serves as a collaborative vehicle for engagement;
• Meets the needs of not only the university, but students and the public, as well.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education serves as Arcadia University’s regional accrediting body and is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  Every 8 years, Arcadia conducts a Self-Study guided by the Middle States Standards for Good Practice and adheres to the MSCHE policies regarding course development and assessment.

Arcadia University Academic Programs which do not require industry assessment by an accrediting body conduct a Program Review every 5 years. The process begins with a Self Study and is followed by an External Review. The process culminates in a public presentation of the findings in the academic year following the External Review.

The Curriculum Assessment Team (CAT) assesses aspects of the Arcadia University Curriculum each year.  Made up of faculty volunteers, CAT’s work addresses both direct questions concerning student learning outcomes and broader questions of effectiveness and experience.

Past CAT assessment projects include:

• 2018-2019    (current) Full Curriculum Review Planning
• 2017-2018    First Year Learning Communities
• 2016-2017    Pilot, First Year Learning Communities
• 2015-2016    Development, Preview Learning Goals; Student Learning, Quantitative Reasoning
• 2014-2015    Requirement Sequencing; Student Learning, Natural/Physical World
• 2013-2014    Data Collection, Requirement Sequencing
• 2012-2013    Global Connections Experience, Global Connections Reflection

Programs conduct student learning assessments internally, with the guidance of accreditation standards, established programmatic outcomes, faculty and staff.  Arcadia believes that dynamic assessment of student learning happens each day, and that each program measures student achievement according to its own vetted rubrics.  Each year, department Chairs and Program Directors report on student learning assessment outcomes in their annual report, which is reviewed by the Dean and the Provost.