Read the Curry College NEASC 2012 Self-Study Report.

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submitted to the department chair, and scheduled monthly meetings are devoted to academic
review and oversight. The Nursing, Education, and Criminal Justice programs are accountable to
outside accrediting agencies that oversee their curricula and program outcomes; the remaining
academic areas develop their curricula, including internships and field experiences, based on
the department’s academic plan and learning goals, consistent with the College mission.
The award of transfer credit is based upon departmental review of the course description and
syllabus and is awarded through the Registrar’s Office, which also maintains a data base of
approved courses. Guidelines for credit approval are described, both in print and electronically,
in the Catalog and a tool for assessment of credit approvals is available on the website; a
minimum of one fourth of students’ credits must be completed at Curry including required
work in the major and at the 2000 or 3000 level. lx Curry’s policy on the credit hour was revised
by the Undergraduate Academic Policy Committee in compliance with new federal guidelines. lxi
A list of articulation agreements is available on the website. lxii
Learning Outcomes Assessment
Assessment of student learning at the institutional, programmatic, and course levels has been
an area of substantial focus at Curry College during the past decade. Multiple initiatives have
contributed to demonstrable progress on the development of clear and shared learning
outcomes statements, implementation of outcomes assessment, and the use of assessment
lxiii, lxiv, lxv
information to inform improvements in academic programs.
Developing systematic and sustainable structures across areas of the college to lead and
support this enterprise has been a priority. In 2009, a Dean of the Faculty was appointed to
provide guidance, oversight, faculty development, continuity, and management of resources for
learning outcomes assessment. An Assessment Task Force was subsequently appointed in 2010
to make recommendations for a Standing Committee to coordinate, process, and utilize results
from student learning assessment on an ongoing basis. The Task Force’s recommendations led
to the 2011 launch of a reformed Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee (LOAC), with a
revised membership and charge (see LOAC Charge, Membership, and Structure, all of which are
located in the workroom). lxvi The LOAC is charged not only with monitoring and evaluating
institutional progress, but also with consulting (as local experts) on assessment efforts and
advocating for resources, such as faculty reassigned time and funding for key assessment
projects and pilots that go beyond routine work.
Since early 2011, the LOAC has:
• Developed and implemented workshops in April 2011 for both academic and student
affairs departments to evaluate progress, choose meaningful next steps, and plan and
implement actions on learning outcomes assessment. (Workshops were attended by 40
faculty members, representing all academic departments and >50% of interdisciplinary/
non‐departmental programs; and 12 Student Affairs staff.) lxvii ;
• Provided academic area planning/assessment retreats in May 2011, with committee
members serving as guest facilitators;
Curry College 2012 Self-Study
Standard Four