About the Center
The Center for Assessment and Program Review, working in tandem with the University Assessment Council (UAC), exists to establish, plan, organize, and promote effective program assessment policy, practices, and procedures by providing resources, training, and consultations designed to assist academic and student life departments to successfully assess their educational effectiveness. The center also serves APU’s three Program Review committees by coordinating and facilitating the academic Program Review process.
The center, in cooperation with the vice provost for academic affairs and the Office of Institutional Research, provides central leadership and support for the university’s institutional effectiveness activities. Supported and advised by the University Assessment Council, our job is to:
- Establish and promote a university assessment plan and process.
- Provide assessment consultation for all academic and educational support units, the Office of Student Life, and selected administrative units, with emphasis on academic planning, stating outcomes (student learning, faith integration, and institutional capacity), and assessment strategies.
- Provide financial support (mini-grants) to foster innovative assessment practices.
- Oversee a university-wide, web-based assessment reporting system.
- Serve as the campus clearinghouse for information on best practices in assessment.
- Sponsor assessment training and workshops.
- Coordinate the Program Review process and facilitate its reporting and approval systems.
- Assist the Office of Institutional Research and other campus offices in gathering and interpreting general information about student achievement and the university's learning environment.
The center is available to assist any APU unit or office seeking to answer the question: “How do we know we are doing what we say we are doing?”
