Scroll back to the top

Academic Program Assessment

What is program assessment?

Program assessment is the process by which faculty identify essential program learning outcomes (PLOs), collect and analyze student data on those PLOs, discuss the findings as a faculty group, and determine ways to continuously improve the educational and learning experience for all students who graduate from the program. Texas A&M University uses AEFIS to document annual assessment plans and reports.

NOTICE: We recommend exporting your assessment form(s) periodically as you are working in them. This will help ensure no data is lost as changes are made in AEFIS to reflect the organizational changes occurring across campus.

 

Active Assessment Cycles - Workflows & Due Dates


The bolded maroon text below indicates the current steps in the active cycles
(i.e., where the forms should currently be).
Workflow Step Role AY21-22
Submit to next step by...		 AY22-23
Submit to next step by...
1. Enter Plan Program Coordinator Apr 9, 2021 Apr 8, 2022
2. Internal Feedback on Plan College Liaison May 21, 2021 May 20, 2022
3. Draft Report Program Coordinator Oct 28, 2022 Oct 27, 2023
4. Internal Feedback on Report College Liaison Nov 18, 2022 Nov 17, 2023
5. Revise/Finalize Report Program Coordinator Dec 2, 2022 Dec 8, 2023
6. Final Approval of Report Final Approver (Dept) Dec 16, 2022 Dec 20, 2023
7. OIEE Comments OIEE Feb 3, 2023 Feb 2, 2024
8. Acknowledge Final Comments Program Coordinator Feb 10, 2023 Feb 9, 2024
           

Resources for Program Coordinators
Need help? Want to talk about your assessment plan with someone? Contact us!

 

Resource Title/Description Link to Resource
Companion Manual

Academic Program Assessment Guidelines
Assessment Plans: One-Page Summary  Summary of Assessment Plan Necessities & Best Practices
Certificate Program Assessment 
*Added July 2022* 		 Certificate Program Assessment: Planning & Measurement Strategies
Workflow Graphics 2021-2022 Workflow Graphic
2022-2023  Workflow Graphic
AEFIS User Guide AEFIS User Guide 
Assessment Report & Status Update Examples  

Click here to see Distance Ed Program Effectiveness Examples		 Undergraduate Programs
Accounting, BBA
Equine Science Certificate
International Business Studies Certificate		 Graduate Programs
Analytics, MS
Horticulture, PhD
Advanced International Affairs Certificate		 Status Updates
Kinesiology, BS
Industrial Distribution, MID
Homeland Security Certificate
 
VIDEOS:  Steps in the Assessment Planning Process  Introduction to Assessment   |   Writing SLOs   |   Curriculum Mapping   |   Assessment Tools   
Artifact Mapping   |   Data Collection
(from the Office of University Assessment at the University of Kentucky) 
Accessing Past Assessment Reports How to Access Past Assessment Forms - INSTRUCTIONS
Example PLO Rotation Schedule 

Example
This PDF shows an example of how a program might set up their assessment schedule and PLO rotation. 
Distance Education Programs Click here to be redirected to information on DE Program Effectiveness.
UG Program-Level Assessment Strategies Click here to see program-level measures for Critical Thinking; Written Communication; and Social, Cultural, and Global Competence.
Equity-Minded Assessment  General Information     |     Reflective Questions for Equity in Assessment
Learning Outcomes & Rubrics  AAC&U Rubrics (16)     |     TAMU DSA (17)
Program Assessment Glossary A list of terms used in the academic program assessment process at Texas A&M
Need access? Click HERE to fill out the AEFIS Access Request form.

 

Resources for Final Approvers of Assessment Reports
(Department Heads, Assistant Deans & Progam Directors)
 
Resources
Instructions Handout This one-page handout explains your role in annual assessment reporting and walks you through the process of approving reports step-by-step.
Walkthrough Video This video covers the same information as the handout, but shows you the step-by-step process in AEFIS.
Need access? Click HERE to fill out the AEFIS Access Request form.
 
Resources for Liaisons