At The University of Scranton, student learning is assessed at a variety of levels - the course level, program level, and institutional level.   Learning outcomes are measurable statements that articulate at the beginning what students should know, be able to do, or value as a result of their educational experiences at Scranton. 

Institutional Learning Outcomes:

Also known as ILOs, these learning outcomes for all students are assessed via several methods. Each academic program - including general education - maps its PLOs to the ILOs, and aggregate review of these related program assessments helps tell us how we are doing in meeting our institutional learning outcomes. The University also conducts several surveys of the student body, such as the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which provide a rich array of indirect evidence and data related to the student learning experience. Individual survey questions are mapped to ILOs, as well as general education, high impact practices, and other learning areas. Our Institutional Learning Outcomes: 

Upon completion of their program of study, students will be able to:  

• Develop and use the intellectual and practical competencies that are the foundation of personal and professional development and lifelong learning including oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical analysis and reasoning, and technological competency and information literacy.
• Exhibit broad knowledge of the human condition, understanding the world in its physical and natural aspects, as well as the philosophical and theological basis for modern thought, faith and belief.
• Demonstrate competence in their chosen field of study, using the knowledge and ability to address the most significant questions, and advancing towards positions of leadership.
• Employ their knowledge and intellect to address situations in a way that demonstrates a devotion to the spiritual and corporal welfare of other human beings and by a special commitment to the pursuit of social justice and the common good of the entire human community.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Program Learning Outcomes, or PLOs, are developed by academic programs and other entities within each of the three colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), the Kania School of Management (KSOM), and the Leahy College of Health Sciences (LCHS). General Education learning outcomes are also in place for the University's General Education Program; these are pursued through various GE courses, and more deeply embedded in academic programs of study. The Weinberg Memorial Library maintains a rigorous assessment program for information literacy curricula, as well as Library and Information Fluency services. Co-curricular programs that focus on student formation and development within the division of Student Life also develop and assess learning outcomes.  View PLOs or each academic program via the drop down menus below. 

Student Learning Outcomes, or SLOs, are developed by each faculty member, and are posted on course syllabi. Through curriculum maps, faculty demonstrate how courses connect to various program learning outcomes. Faculty regularly assess the learning outcomes for each course, and in many cases, these assessments yield information that can help to assess the program of which the course is part.  Learning outcomes for GE courses also map to GE assessment activities. 

Each academic program assesses PLOs on a regular cycle, as described in the University's Comprehensive Plan for Student Learning Assessment, and by the needs of the college assessment plan and related activities - such as program review and external disciplinary accreditations - that may occur within that college or program. For information about college-wide assessment and accreditation activities, contact:

College of Arts & Sciences: Dr. Dan Marenda, Associate Dean

Kania School of Management: Dr. Murli Rajan, Associate Dean

Leahy College of Health Sciences: Mr. Raymond Schwenk, PCPS Assistant Dean for Assessment, Communications & Finance 

Student Life: Maria Cutsinger, Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution