University Assessment System
Key Program Assessments
Key Program Assessments
What is a Key Program Assessment?
Key program assessments (KPA) are used by the University assessment system. They measure students' mastery of the program outcomes. Most programs use 3-8 KPAs. Key program assessments are used in general education courses that are required for most students.
Each key program assessment has:
(1) Assessment instructions | Example
(2) Directions for scoring | Example
(3) Assessment instrument | Example
Key program assessments may be externally- or internally-created measurement tools
Externally-created examples: Professional exams, proprietary instruments, surveys, observation instruments, portfolios, etc.
Internally-created examples: Senior projects, papers, presentations, observations of field experience, final exams, portfolios, performances, business plans, etc.
Each program has a crosswalk displaying the alignment of key program assessments with University and professional outcomes:
EXAMPLE | Outcome & Key Program Assessment Alignment | Nursing (B.S.N.)
Click below to view examples of key program assessments:
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College of Arts and Cultural StudiesCommunication (B.A. & B.S.) |
Fenimore & Fisher College of BusinessManagement (B.S.)
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College of EducationElementary Education (B.Ed.) |
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College of Health SciencesNursing (B.S.N.) |
College of Science and EngineeringEngineering (B.S.E.)
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College of Theology & MinistryBiblical Literature (M.A.)
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Key Program Assessments
Assessment System Continuous Improvement
Recent Improvements
- Created 267 KPA residential master course templates to bulk transfer into live courses before each semester
- Compiled 403 KPA rubrics in Brightspace aligned to the learning outcomes assessment framework
Next Step
- Review and finalize KPAs for general education courses that are required for all students
- Move KPAs to Continuous Improvement & Assessment SharePoint site