Student Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

Every program should have clearly defined objectives. In all areas of student life and learning at IUPUI, faculty and staff develop student learning outcomes that describe knowledge, skills, behaviors, attitudes, and values that are expected to be demonstrated by students at the end of the program or experience.

Student learning outcomes have several characteristics. They:

  • Describe skills that learners need to demonstrate, represent, or produce at the end of the program of study (Maki, 2010).
  • Rely on verbs that identify what students need to demonstrate, represent, or produce (Maki, 2010).

When developing student learning outcomes, they should:

  • Be in line with the institution’s mission, vision, and goals.
  • Be defined collaboratively in the institution and acceptable across the board.
  • Be in line with professional standards set by organizations' outcome statements.
  • Be assessed quantitatively or qualitatively during the period of studies.
Illustration of student learning outcome process. Student is followed by learning experience (process) and it then followed by learning outcomes (product).

The assessment cycle pictured below starts with establishing goals, objectives, and student learning outcomes. Our division uses this cycle to help inform our practices.

Illustration of the assessment cycle implemented by IUPUI Division of Student Affairs. Establish goals, objectives, and student learning outcomes is followed by implement strategies is followed by select methods to evaluate student learning outcomes is followed by analyze results is followed by share results is followed by use results for improvement.

Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success

IUPUI prepares students to communicate, innovate, engage in local and global communities, and solve the problems of the 21st century. Along this journey, students will have many opportunities to reflect upon their classroom and cocurricular learning, develop their expertise in their chosen field, and grow as a human being. Students will become acquainted with each of the Profiles—communicator, problem solver, innovator, and community contributor—beginning in general education courses and first-year experiences and continuing as students progress along their pathway through their major coursework and cocurricular activities toward their capstone or culminating experience.

Assessment of student learning outcomes

Student learning outcomes can be measured directly or indirectly. Direct measurements can be through classroom assignments, presentations, portfolios, e-portfolios, tests, and essays. Indirect measurements can be through self-assessments, questionnaires, peer feedback, and end-of-course evaluations.