University Assessment Requirements
General Education | Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress | Major Field Test | Surveys
Students at SBU are required to participate in its assessment program. Assessment requirements follow:
Class |
Assessment Instruments |
Type of Administration |
|---|---|---|
Freshmen: |
Measure of
Academic Proficiency and Progress (Pre-Test) |
Fall, first two weeks |
| CIRP Freshmen Survey | Fall, first two weeks, even years |
|
| College Students Beliefs and Values | Fall, first two weeks, even years |
|
| Student Satisfaction Inventory and Adult Student Priorities Survey (Off-Campus) | Fall, October, every other year | |
| Faculty Evaluations | Each semester | |
| Campus Surveys | Various times | |
Sophomores: |
Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress (Post-test) | Spring, April |
| Student Satisfaction Inventory and Adult Student Priorities Survey (Off-Campus) | Fall, October, every other year | |
| Faculty Evaluations | Each semester | |
| Campus Surveys | Various times | |
Juniors: |
Student Satisfaction Inventory and Adult Student Priorities Survey (Off-Campus) | Fall, October, every other year |
| Faculty Evaluations | Each semester | |
| Campus Surveys | Various times | |
Seniors: |
Student Satisfaction Inventory and Adult Student Priorities Survey (Off-Campus) | Fall, October, every other year |
| Major Field Test/Exit Exams | November or April | |
| College Student Survey | November or April, odd years | |
| College Students Beliefs and Values | November or April, odd years | |
| Faculty Evaluations | Every semester | |
| Campus Surveys | Various times | |
Graduates: |
Program Specific Exit Exams | Prior to graduation |
| Satisfaction Surveys | Various times | |
| Faculty Evaluations | Each semester | |
| Campus Surveys | Various times |
General Education:
Students at SBU are expected to complete a set of core courses that encompass many disciplines.
These general education courses provide breadth to a student's study. The Commission on
Institutions of Higher Education defined general education in this way:
General education is "general in several clearly identifiable ways: it is not directly related
to a student's formal technical, vocational, or professional preparation; it is a part of every student's
course of study, regardless of his or her area of emphasis, and it is intended to impart common
knowledge, intellectual concepts, and attitudes that every educated person should possess.
Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress :
| Location |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bolivar
Campus - Rising Juniors |
April 7,
2010 |
10:00 a. m. to 11:30 a. m.
|
| Mt. View Center - Rising
Juniors Mt. View Center - Freshman |
Fall 2009 and
Spring 2010 Spring 2010 |
Date and time to
be determined Date and time to be determined |
| Salem Center - Rising
Juniors Salem Center - Freshman |
Fall 2009 and
Spring 2010 Spring 2010 |
Date and time to
be determined Date and time to be determined |
The Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress is one of the tools used to assess the General Education goals and objectives. This test is given to entering freshmen and to rising juniors. Students also are asked to complete a survey to identify their perceptions of our general education program.
| Location |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bolivar - Davis Theater in the Student Union
Bolivar - Music MFT in MU 107 in Casebolt Music Center |
November 4, 2009 November 4, 2009 |
10:00 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. 10:00 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. |
| Mt. View Center | No MFT given for Fall 2009 | |
| Salem Center | November 5, 2009 | 4:00 p. m. |
| Springfield Center | No MFT given for Fall 2009 |
The Major Field Test is an objective, end-of-program test. This test assesses mastery of concepts, principles, and knowledge that are expected of students at the end of a major program of study. The test also evaluates a student's ability to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships, and interpret material.
The MFT is used by the following majors as an assessment tool:
| Accounting | Criminal Justice | Music |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | English | Political Science |
| Business Administration | History | Psychology |
| Chemistry | Human Services | Sociology |
| Computer Information Science | Mathematics | Social Science Education |
| Computer Science | Masters of Business Administration |
Alumni Surveys:
Alumni will be surveyed every two to five years, depending upon the needs of the major field. Alumni assessment includes general assessment of the University experience as well as assessment of the major field. Some employers are interviewed, with permission of graduates, to assess the job performance of alumni in relation to their SBU preparation.
Student Surveys:
Attitudes, beliefs, values, goals, self-concept, and interpersonal relationships are outcomes in the affective domain that define the nature of Southwest Baptist University and its commitments as a Christian university. Entering freshmen and graduating seniors will be surveyed to determine the extent to which changes in their attitudes and personal lives can be attributed to their experiences at SBU. Students also are asked to complete other surveys from time to time for student life, the library, spiritual life, etc.
