Student Achievement Assessment Committee

Link to Departmental and Program Outcomes

University Learning Outcomes (approved 2009)

Each of the major areas of study at Bowling Green State University holds high and explicit expectations for student learning; these expectations are embodied in learning outcomes for each of the majors. Even though the learning outcomes are necessarily different from major to major – to accommodate the specialized knowledge of music to marketing; health to history; teacher preparation to technology – all our majors share fundamental educational values, which are described by the University Learning Outcomes. The University Learning Outcomes are also expectations of our general education program and of the many facets of student life, ranging from residence halls to student clubs and organizations. Thus, the University Learning Outcomes are a statement of our common responsibility for shared educational values, despite differences in the content of the many majors, disciplines, and activities offered at Bowling Green State University.

Intellectual and Practical Skills

• Critical and Constructive Thinking
  • Inquiry – a close examination of an issue or situation in a search for information or truth; determining what questions should be asked; recognizing opportunities; formulating hypotheses; seeking information and evaluating claims; making discoveries and reaching new understandings; and making informed judgments.
  •  Examining Values – observing carefully and critically to identify the values, principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable in a dilemma, situation, problem, or decision. 
  • Solving Problems Creatively– generating a solution for a problem through original, imaginative, innovative, or artistic effort, including problems that are complex, ambiguous, and difficult to formulate.
• Communication
  • Writing – communicate clearly and effectively to an identified audience. To be effective, written communication should be informed by audience analysis, demonstrate reflection, employ critical thinking, and make appropriate use of supporting argument and citation.
  • Presenting – speak, show, demonstrate, exhibit, or perform for an individual or group. Effective presentation engages the intended audience, includes the use of non-verbal forms of communication, and may employ a variety of media.
• Engaging Others in Action
  • Participating – active engagement in some activity, including shared effort, understanding others’ points of view, the lively exchange of ideas, compromise, and contributing to the group’s product.
  • Leading – guiding or influencing a group to achieve its goals. Leading does not require formal authority or power but rather is a matter of influence, integrity, spirit, and mutual respect.

General and Specialized Knowledge

To be an effective and prepared citizen, capable of understanding and responding to the diverse challenges present in the modern world, students must be conversant with the core concepts of disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and arts, along with knowledge related to human learning, interaction, and enterprise. Just as breadth of knowledge is a cornerstone of a liberal education, so too is expertise in a particular disciplinary area or major. Both breadth and depth are important concepts, not just in terms of acquired disciplinary knowledge, but also for development of the skills and methods necessary to explore issues that arise in day-to-day life.

Personal and Social Responsibility

BGSU recognizes and intentionally fosters a learning environment in which students strive for excellence, cultivate personal and academic integrity, contribute to a larger community, take seriously the perspectives of others, and develop competence in ethical and moral reasoning, as shown by:

• Interacting with and understanding diverse perspectives.
• Engaging communities as a participant and leader using civic and professional knowledge as a basis for values-driven action.
• Giving full consideration to ethical integrity and actions consistent with one’s principles as part of each individual’s exploration of purpose. A balanced approach to questions of meaning also includes preparation for students' multiple and changing roles, including work, citizenship, family, and membership in multiple communities.

Integrate, Apply, and Reflect

Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies as evidenced in project-based work systematically collected throughout the duration of the student’s enrollment. Such projects draw on all of the skills and fields of knowledge described above. What has been learned from accumulated experiences is recorded in written reflections. 

A BGSU education provides the foundation for a lifetime of continued learning, self-awareness, career success, contribution to community, and purposeful living. Evaluating the achievement of these University Learning Outcomes is critical and may take many forms, including the use of electronic portfolios and proposed national metarubrics (see http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/provost/value/index.html). Demonstrating quality performance on each of the learning outcomes is the hallmark of a BGSU graduate.

University Learning Outcomes (2004-2008)

BGSU's programs of study are designed not only to foster learning but also to enable students to apply what is learned. By the time of graduation, BGSU students will demonstrate substantial mastery of the learning outcomes in a major field of study; furthermore, students will think critically and constructively, communicate skillfully, and engage others actively and effectively so that they participate fully in society as well-informed citizens.

BGSU graduates are critical and constructive thinkers, as shown by proficiency in inquiry, creative problem solving, and examining values in decision making.

• Inquiry – a close examination of a matter in a search for information or truth; seeking for information by asking questions. BG graduates’ training in inquiry allows them to systematically explore issues, collect and analyze evidence, and make informed judgments.

• Creative Problem Solving – producing through original artistic or imaginative effort a result or conclusion. As creative problem solvers, BG graduates synthesize knowledge within and across courses and programs, integrate theory and practice, link academic and life experiences.

• Examining Values in Decision Making – observing carefully and critically the principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable that are present in a decision or dilemma. BG graduates recognize and describe values that arise in the content or methods of a subject area; they identify the ways these values relate to academic or public discussions of contemporary issues; and they evaluate and articulate the way values influence decisions.

BGSU graduates communicate skillfully in multiple forms of expression, such as logical, mathematical, visual, spatial, or musical. All students have proficiency in written and oral communication, with additional expertise in other symbol systems necessary to a major field of study.

• Writing – a social activity in which the author purposefully uses written text to relate meaning to an intended audience. BG graduates are proficient in multiple forms of writing, with particular expertise in the styles and conventions of a major field of study.

• Presenting – to communicate in a public setting. "Presenting" is more than the oral counterpart of "writing," inasmuch as presenting includes the use of non-verbal forms of communication and a variety of media. BG graduates employ diverse presentation skills in support of effective presentation.

BGSU graduates engage others in action, as shown by proficiency in participating and leading.

• Participation – to have a part or share in some activity. "Participating" involves active engagement in learning and in the democratic process, leading to socially responsible action in one’s communities. BG graduates are prepared to fulfill civic and professional responsibilities through reasoned and open participation.They relate themselves and their culture to diverse cultures within the U.S. and the world.

• Leadership – to guide or influence a group to achieve goals. "Leading" does not require formal authority or power but rather is a matter of influence, integrity, spirit, and respect. BG graduates are prepared to be skilled and ethical leaders who contribute to the effective functioning of society at all levels.