Assessment can occur at several levels: course, program, and university levels. Information may be aggregated in different ways to assess other levels of assessment as well, for example the assessment of the general education program, which crosses disciplinary boundaries. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) provides broad questions that help to frame assessment inquiry at each level and provides examples of the sources of evidence to be gathered.
To gain further understanding of the levels of assessment, see the chart below:
Levels of Assessment and Responsibility.
| Level |
Course |
Program |
College |
University |
| Focus |
Course Goals, Objectives & Student Learning Outcomes |
Program goals, objectives, student learning outcomes, and academic quality |
College goals, objectives for student learning and academic quality |
University mission, goals and priorities for student learning and academic quality |
| Responsible Party for implementing assessment |
Course instructor |
Department Chair/Program Coordinator, and Program Faculty |
Dean |
Provost/Vice President and the Office of Assessment and Program Review |
| Supportive Offices |
Center for Teaching and Learning
Enrollment Services |
Office of Assessment and Program Review |
Office of Assessment and Program Review |
Institutional Research |
| Advisory Bodies |
For new course development:
General Education Committee
Faculty Council on Academic Affairs |
Program Level Assessment Committee (in selected cases)
Outcomes Assessment Resource Group |
Dean’s Council
Specialized Task Forces |
Assessment Advisory Committee
Provost’s Council
President’s Administrative Team |
| Supervision |
Department Chair/Program Coordinator |
Dean |
Provost |
President |
