Assessment

Assessment Policy

All students at Missouri S&T are required to participate in appropriate assessment activities. The requirement to assess students originates from a directives of the Governor and General Assembly of the State of Missouri.  Missouri S&T is accountable to the state, and we are expected to demonstrate student learning outcomes and prove that state funds are being spent appropriately and learning objectives are realized.

The general education program is designed to help students acquire sufficient general knowledge and intellectual versatility to enable them to become informed and resourceful members of society.  Consistent with the university’s mission and values, the following seven general education learning goals define skills and knowledge that students are expected to develop:

  1.     An ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
  2.     An ability to think critically and analyze effectively;
  3.     An ability to apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in solving critical problems;
  4.     An ability to function in diverse learning and working environments;
  5.     An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities;
  6.     An awareness of national and global contemporary issues; and
  7.     A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.

Student learning outcomes are assessed at the course, program, and institutional levels. Participation in the assessment activities ensures continual improvement and a quality education for current and future generations of students.

Changes in assessment requirements can affect enrolled students immediately as they are not linked to the catalog year and may change during a student's undergraduate career.

All graduating seniors must fulfill assessment requirements as determined by their major field department.

All other full-time students must fulfill assessment requirements as determined by the campus, consistent with the Board of Curator’s guidelines, before registering for further course work.

Assessment is a process intended to help students and faculty improve student learning and learning experiences. Assessment results help students align their educational goals, learning experiences and outcomes with the courses and services offered by the University. All academic advisors and department chairs have access to the assessment data. Students are encouraged to communicate with their academic advisors and faculty to identify, and enroll in, appropriate courses and seek support services to fulfill their educational goals. Assessment also helps the faculty to improve instruction, pedagogy, course content and technology to better meet the needs of the students.

Compliance is important to Missouri S&T students, programs, and the entire institution. Specifically, students must cooperate in the following manner, which is subject to change.

Students who have completed 61+ credit hours will be scheduled to take a general education test such as the Proficiency Profile test, which measures four general education skills: reading, mathematics, writing, and critical thinking. Students will be notified the semester they are expected to fulfill the requirements. Should a student fail to meet the requirements as scheduled, registration for future courses will be withheld.

Seniors are scheduled to take a major field test, such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test or the Major Field Test (MFT), before being approved for graduation. The major field test assesses students’ ability to apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in solving critical problems. Some engineering departments administer faculty developed tests in lieu of the FE examination.

Students receive the MFT notification from their department. Information about FE test dates and requirements are available through the engineering departments

At Missouri S&T, student learning outcomes are also assessed indirectly through surveys of student engagement and satisfaction.

Freshmen and seniors are scheduled to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which obtains information about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development.

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