APUS Student Learning Outcomes Initiative

The APUS Student Learning Outcomes Initiative was formed to clearly define and align our student learning outcomes at all levels of the institution, and to better enable us to define what we expect from our students and measure our stated goals.  As part of the Student Learning Outcomes Initiative: 1) APUS institutional outcomes were revisited and modified, and 2) a campaign to heighten awareness of the institutional outcomes was implemented.  Learn more about the goals and objectives of the Student Learning Outcomes Initiative.

Revision of APUS Institutional Outcomes

Given that APUS' mission document was recently revised (approved by the Board on January 2005), it was important to review the institutional student learning outcomes to ensure alignment with our mission and goals.  To begin the revision process, all full-time faculty, adjuncts, and department chairs were surveyed on the importance of institutional learning outcomes for APUS graduates (e.g., knowledge, skills, and abilities that students should possess upon graduation from APUS). 

Based on survey responses from faculty members, extensive discussion among department chairs and extended staff, benchmarking from other institutions, and an examination of our newly revised mission document, our student learning outcomes at the institutional level were revised. 

Old vs. New Institutional Outcomes

Degree program and course level outcomes were also reviewed during course of this Initiative.  Click here to learn about the three-step process that ensued to review degree program and course level outcomes.

Campaign to Heighten Awareness of APUS Institutional Outcomes

A campaign to heighten awareness of APUS’ institutional outcomes has also been implemented.   Everyone at APUS shares in the responsibility for a successful student learning experience.  The campaign emphasizes that all APUS staff are working to ensure that students receive a valuable education and that the student’s time spent at APUS will be useful in their lives and career.  Therefore, it is important that all staff are aware of the overarching goals expected of our students upon graduation from APUS.  To heighten awareness of our five institutional outcomes, the outcomes have been posted in faculty, staff and student newsletters; presented at academic, all-staff, and extended meetings; and sent in email communications to all faculty and staff.