Academic Quality Improvement Program - Master of Business Administration Assessment of Student Learning Plan
AQIP Annual Action Project Update:
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PLAN
September 7, 2005
1. Describe the past year’s accomplishments and the current status of this Action Project.
The MBA Program developed a preliminary assessment of student learning plan that was reviewed with members of the Assessment Committee. The process and structure for driving the assessment work of the program is evolving. Key student learning outcomes for the program have been developed. Work continues to refine appropriate assessment of student learning measures, along with a plan for implementation.
The MBA Program’s mission and vision are aligned with the mission and vision of the College. This alignment was key to the approval of the program and guides the assessment process.
The Graduate Academic Affairs Committee approved the Field Study capstone course that will play a significant role in the assessment of student learning at the program level. This capstone experience offers great potential for assessing student learning and using the information to make revisions to the curriculum.
This Action Project Update also serves as the MBA Program’s annual assessment of student learning report.
The MBA Program was launched Fall 2004. Growth in the program exceeded expectations (planned for two cohorts in 2004-2005 and began six). The start-up process and management of the program consumed Director and faculty time that would otherwise have been focused on the assessment of student learning. Assessment of student learning will be a high priority in Year 2 of the program.
2. Describe how the institution involved people in work on this Action Project.
The organizational areas that have contributed to work on this Action Project include the Dean’s Office, Center for Teaching and Learning, MBA Program Committee, Department of Business Administration, MBA Advisory Board, Assessment Director, Assessment Committee, and Graduate Academic Affairs Committee.
3. Describe your planned next steps for this Action Project.
Year Two of this Action Project will emphasize the following work:
· Finalize plans for the assessment of student learning structure and process in the MBA Program, including implementation plans.
· Finalize the MBA assessment of student learning plan, including the use of assessment measures such as case analysis to assess concept learning, critical thinking, ethical issue identification, and integrated decision making and the Field Study experience. The MBA Program will work with the Assessment Committee and Assessment Director on revisions to the preliminary assessment plan.
· Collect and evaluate assessment of student learning data and use data in the decision-making process.
· Create a system for the ongoing evaluation of the program’s student learning objectives and assessment plan.
· Submit an annual assessment of student learning plan to the Assessment Committee.
4. Describe an “effective practice(s)” that resulted from work on this Action Project.
The MBA Program was fortunate to enlist the advice and expertise of a talented team of educators, business professionals, students, faculty, Graduate Academic Affairs Committee, and college administrators in the development of the preliminary assessment plan. The effective practice that resulted from work on this action project was that of collaborative decision making in a start-up program.
5. What challenges, if any, are you still facing in regards to this Action Project?
The first two MBA cohorts will graduate from Augsburg in Spring 2006. The assessment of student learning plan should be in place this fall so that data collected from the first two cohorts can be used to evaluate and refine the program’s curriculum.
6. If you would like to discuss the possibility of AQIP providing you help to stimulate progress on this action project, explain your need(s) here and tell us who to contact and when.
No assistance from AQIP is needed at this time.