Student Learning Outcomes

What will a CMU graduate know and be able to do at the end of their course of study? And how will we know if they get there? Those two questions are at the heart of assessment.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) specify what students will know and be able to do as a result of completing their degree programs.

Writing Measurable Outcomes

In contrast to Goals, that are general, broad, often abstract statements of desired results, Outcomes are specific and measurable and must reflect the curriculum. They express a benefit or "value added" that a student can demonstrate upon completion of an academic program or course. An outcome contains all three of the following elements:

    • What is to be learned (knowledge, skill, attitude),
    • What level of learning is to be achieved (criteria, standard), and
    • Under what conditions the learning is to be demonstrated (environment, support, etc.).
  • More Resources for writing learning outcomes:
  • Writing Measureable Learning Outcomes
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