Assessment of student learning in Ball State University's academic programs is an essential means of identifying areas for growth and improvement in those programs. Therefore Ball State colleges, departments, and schools engage in annual programmatic assessment. 

Academic Program Assessment Reports

Program assessment reports are submitted from units within each college. While ongoing assessment is expected in all programs, college administrators work with their departments/schools to determine which of their program(s) to include in annual assessment reporting. Through either the specialized accreditation reporting or through the university program assessment reporting, programs in each college should be included in program assessment reports at least once every five years. Recent analysis of the feedback given to faculty regarding their program assessment reports is available HERE. The analysis suggests that overall, program assessment reports are meeting expectations outlined in the reporting template and feedback rubric. The program assessment reports from faculty, along with supportive feedback from members of the University Assessment Committee, help Ball State on its continuous journey of improvement. Examples of improvements cited in recent program assessment reports can be viewed HERE.

Co-Curricular Program Assessment Reports

Co-curricular experiences are an extension of formal curricular experiences and allow students to explore their strengths and talents outside the classroom. Some co-curricular experiences are embedded in academic programs, while others are offered outside academic programs. The outcomes are defined by the unit, based on the co-curricular experience.

The process by which co-curricular outcomes are measured is uniquely tailored to the experience itself. Units determine their assessment reporting schedule for collecting data and assessing outcomes. Measures may include a combination of direct measures and indirect assessment. To close the loop, co-curricular experiences and outcomes are reported and discussed in unit-level meetings, and many are also reported and discussed in campus leadership meetings. The aims of co-curricular outcomes assessment are to continually improve the quality of the experiences and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resources used to provide the experiences.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Observable, measurable program learning outcomes explain what each program intends to achieve. Program assessment involves a series of activities designed to determine how well students achieve the stated program learning outcomes. Results lead to continuous improvements in student learning in the unit's programs.

Program learning outcomes are similar to student learning outcomes.  Visit the Student Learning Outcomes page to see how they relate.

Direct and Indirect Measures of Student Learning

Systematic collection and review of both direct and indirect measures is an ongoing process in each program. While each unit determines how its assessment will be conducted, program assessment must include at least one direct measure of student learning.

  • Direct measures of student learning explicitly demonstrate how well students have acquired the program learning outcomes. Examples include comprehensive exams, standardized tests, licensing exams, evaluation of student portfolios and performances, and evaluation of student performance by practicum, internship studio, or clinical supervisors.
  • Indirect measures of student learning provide proxy information about student learning. Examples include student ratings of program quality, student surveys about instruction, student self-assessment, exit interviews, alumni surveys, and employer surveys.

Curriculum Mapping

Curriculum mapping depicts where the outcomes are assessed among required courses. The process of curriculum mapping involves the creation of a matrix, with program learning outcomes along one axis and required courses along the other axis. Faculty can use this matrix to discuss and align the program learning outcomes and required courses. See the Curriculum Map Video Tutorial for more information.

Assessment Report Resources

Want some help?

Contact Carole Kacius, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, to schedule an individual consultation if you would like assistance articulating measurable program learning outcomes, constructing or reconstructing your curriculum map, or writing your assessment report.

This informal, practical Zoom consultation will enable you to ask questions, review your program learning outcomes, work on your curriculum map, draft the 2-pg. report together, and explore opportunities to make the assessment process as meaningful and manageable as possible.


The following resources are meant to aid in documenting the systematic approach to program review:

Assessment reports are due October 15 each year (unless your college has an approved alternate submission date).

Submit a report

Assessment is rooted in a philosophy of continual improvement of our learning environments. This checklist ensures continued excellence in assessment procedures. If you are looking for ways to engage others in assessment, this information provides some suggestions.

Excellence in Assessment

Excellence in Assessment Recognition

Each year, the University Assessment Committee (UAC) recognizes individuals, programs, or units for extraordinary contributions to Ball State's culture of assessment through ongoing efforts in the classroom, on committees, and/or in projects that have broad benefits and lead to improvement. Programs, units, and individuals are eligible to be nominated for one of several categories.

The nomination deadline is January 15.

Submit a nomination

The Excellence in Assessment recipients are recognized during Ball State’s annual Provost's Summit.

2025 Excellence in Assessment Recognition: (Visit blog & video)

  • Prof. Carla Flores
  • Dr. Natalee Seely
  • Dr. Kazumi Matsumoto Cantrell
  • Dr. Amy Petts

2024 Excellence in Assessment Recognition:

  • Mr. Shawn Sriver
  • Dr. Jörn Seemann
  • Mr. Brian Pickerill
  • Department of Educational Leadership, Teachers College

2023 Excellence in Assessment Recognition:

  • Dr. Carolyn "Carrie" Shue
  • Prof. Eric Klosterman
  • Dr. Jennifer Coy and Prof. David Largent
  • Dr. Sundeep Rayat

2022 Excellence in Assessment Recognition:

  • Dr. Jerrell Cassady
  • MGT 491 Faculty - Dr. Xian Cao, Dr. Imran Syed, & Dr. Donald "Breck" Terheide
  • Department of Social Work, College of Health
  • Division of Online and Strategic Learning

Summer Assessment Grants

For over a decade, the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs has supported innovative faculty projects that improve student learning outcomes assessment. While projects may vary considerably in nature and scope, projects that pursue assessment activities outside the scope of normal, required assessment activities will be prioritized.

Funding is available to provide stipends during the summer to faculty members; funds may not be used by staff members or for operating expenses. Upon completion of the project, a brief report summarizing the summer grant work is required.

Proposals (no more than 2 pages total) are solicited from faculty members, working individually or in teams of two or three faculty members. Each proposal should include the following information:

  1. Project goals and objectives
  2. Background and rationale for the project, including a statement as to how the project relates to department, college, and/or University assessment plans
  3. Description of project activities and anticipated results
  4. The amount of funding requested (up to $500.00 per faculty member, not to exceed a total of $1,500 per faculty team)
  5. Support for the project provided by the department or college (e.g., supplies, graduate assistant wages, etc.) as appropriate
  6. Name(s) of faculty member(s) who will carry out the project
  7. Affirmation that the department chair and college dean are aware of the project and endorse it

Completed proposals should be submitted by March 1. Proposals will be reviewed by members of the University Assessment Committee.  Awards will be announced before the end of each spring semester.  All work must be completed and the final report submitted by June 30.

Faculty members who apply for summer assessment grants must be current employees who are returning to Ball State in the following fall.

Submit a proposal

View the Summer Assessment Grant FAQs for more information.

Summer Assessment Projects Supported Over Past 5 Years
Year Total
Departments
Total
Colleges
Total
Faculty
Total
Projects
2020 14 3 30 13
2021 17 6 48 26
2022 17 7 35 20
2023 15 5 36 19
2024 15 5 33 18

Assessment Cycle

Graphic shows the assessment cycle which includes the following steps: plan, implement, assess, analyze, and use. 

For more information about the annual program assessment process, consult the Faculty and Professional Personnel Handbook.

Questions?

If you would like to speak with someone about Ball State's assessment processes or accreditation, please contact Carole Kacius, Director of Assessment and Accreditation.