Purpose of Assessment

The Ashland University Mission Statement sets forth our collective promise and commitment as a university in educating our students.

Ashland University educates and challenges students to develop intellectually and ethically, to seek wisdom and justice, and to prepare for the rigors of living and working as citizens aware of their global responsibilities.

There are four key elements referenced in the Ashland University Mission Statement. These elements serve as focal points for the entire university community in developing, observing and measuring mission-based student learning outcomes. The following descriptions are offered to provide a set of common understandings from which student learning outcomes informed by the university Mission Statement can be derived, and serve as starting points for assessment plans in each of our [colleges] departments and programs. Student learning outcomes always refer to directly observable evidence of knowledge (what students know), understanding (what students understand), competence (what students can do), or accomplishment (what students have done).