Assessment at DU

Institutional Assessment

The University's Vision, Values, Mission and Goals (VVMG)
The University of Denver's statement of vision, values, mission and goals (VVMG) provides the foundation for all activities at the DU. With respect to assessment, academic units should structure their own discipline-specific learning goals, student learning outcomes, and assessment projects so that all assessment activities are connected to and flow from the VVMG.

DU Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes
The University-wide student learning outcomes for undergraduates - approved by the Undergraduate Council in May 2007.

DU Graduate and Professional Student Learning Outcomes
The University-wide student learning outcomes for students in graduate and professional programs - approved by the Graduate Council on May 6, 2009.
You can learn more about the outcomes and the process of their creation by enrolling in the Graduate and Professional Student Learning Outcomes Committee's Portfolio website .
Note: you will need to log in to Portfolio first. Once you are logged in, follow this link to the committee's Portfolio and click the "Subscribe" button in the upper-right corner.

National Survey of Student Engagement
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is an annual survey, taken by first-year students and seniors near the end of the academic year, that provides universities and colleges with information about how students engage with campus life. The NSSE helps the University of Denver understand and improve the student experience. Results of the NSSE are available in the NSSE 2008 and NSSE 2009 Pocket Guides to DU. Additionally, USA Today hosts a comparison of NSSE benchmarks for hundreds of colleges and universities, including DU.

In fall of 2008, DU also participated in the Before College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE). The BCSSE is completed by first-year students at the beginning of fall quarter. These first-year students are also invited to complete the NSSE in the spring quarter of their first year at DU. Students who complete both the BCSSE and NSSE provide DU with a longitudinal view of student engagement and expectations across their first year at DU.

Program Assessment

DU Assessment Report Archive
An archive of past assessment reports, beginning with reports covering the 2006-2007 academic year. Note: you will need to log in to Portfolio before visiting the site.

Program Student Learning Outcomes at the University of Denver
Current student learning outcomes for all programs at DU.

Visiting Scholars Assessments
These reports provide information about the impact of the DU Visiting Scholars Program.

General Education Assessment

On May 22, 2009, DU's Undergradaute Council approved a proposal to revitalize the University's undergraduate requirements. The proposed changes will be implemented in fall 2010. Before a course is approved for the general education curriculum, its course-level student learning outcomes and their connections to the official DU Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes. As the assessment procedures are fleshed out over the 2009-2010 academic year, details will be presented here.