AA/05/AS/16/GC - Graduate Learning Goals

Effective May 17, 2016

Rationale: These Graduate Learning Goals represent the shared goals of graduate education programs across the campus. Beginning in 2002/2003, student learning goals developed by graduate program Coordinators and Directors in Graduate Council have been incorporated, as appropriate to each discipline, into the assessment plans of graduate programs. These Graduate Learning Goals represent the most recent (2015/2016) revisions to the goals.

These Graduate Learning Goals serve to guide the kind of graduate curriculum we value and develop, guide the University’s Graduate Assessment Plan, and respond to WASC recommendations that CSU Stanislaus “continue with the development of support for graduate-level programs, including…development of stated learning outcomes and their aligned assessment” (Report of the WASC Visiting Team Educational Effectiveness Review, 2010). The commitment to provide excellent graduate education is a fundamental component of the current Strategic Planning priorities of the University (Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Action Items, 2016-2018, Goal 1) and is essential to fulfilling the University’s aspiration “to become a major center of learning, intellectual pursuit, artistic excellence and cultural engagement for California’s greater Central Valley and beyond” (University Vision Statement).

Graduate Learning Goals

Beginning in 2002/2003, student learning goals have been incorporated, as appropriate to each discipline, into the assessment plans of graduate programs. The following represents the most recent (2015/2016) revisions to the student learning goals.

The sentences in bold represent the general learning goals; the items bulleted under each of the goals suggest some specific options that may be implemented.

1. Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and values appropriate to the discipline.

• To be awarded a graduate degree, all graduate students will be required to complete a program of coursework appropriate to the discipline. A culminating experience activity as defined by the program or discipline is required.

2. Students will demonstrate the ability to be creative, analytical, and critical thinkers within the scope of the discipline.

• These abilities will be demonstrated in the culminating experience activity.

• Graduate level seminars and courses will require extensive research and writing activities that meet high academic standards in both form and content.

3. Students will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the scholarship of their disciplines.

• Students will work as individual researchers or scholars as appropriate to the discipline.

• Students will work in collaboration with others and to engage in applied scholarship as appropriate to the discipline.

• Graduate courses, seminars, and internships may require that students demonstrate their ability to work successfully on group projects or with others.

4. Students will demonstrate relevant knowledge of diverse perspectives and broader contexts as appropriate to the discipline.

• Students may be required to engage with diverse communities and issues of diversity in the context of the region.

• Student assignments may require demonstrated awareness of intercultural and global perspectives.

• Student portfolios may be required that reflect, in either an applied or a research-oriented context, an understanding of the diverse perspectives of the discipline.

• Students may be required to document proficiency or experience in second language/culture studies.

5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of new and various methods and applications as appropriate to the discipline.

• Students may be required to participate in a supervised practicum, internship, or service learning activity in which they demonstrate the ability to apply discipline-specific methods.

• Students may be required to demonstrate competency in accessing and communicating information in their discipline.

• Students may be required to demonstrate competency in gathering and analyzing information in their discipline.

• Students may be required to demonstrate their ability to use all relevant information technology, multimedia, and other technology-related tools that are appropriate to their fields.

6. Students will be required to demonstrate advanced communication skills, complemented, as appropriate to the discipline, by the ability to access and analyze information from myriad primary, print, and technological sources.

• Students are required to meet standards in writing competency as determined by each program.

• Students may be required to submit scores from an examination such as the GRE or a similar national normed assessment instrument; a minimum score may be established by individual programs.

• Students may be required to make oral presentations in graduate courses.

• Students are required to complete a culminating experience/assignment that demonstrates their knowledge of the discipline and their ability to communicate this knowledge articulately in oral or written modes, or both.

• An original written thesis, project, or comprehensive examination may be required that reflects the students’ ability to conduct research using primary sources from a broad spectrum of printed and electronic media. An oral defense or presentation of the thesis or project is typically required.

• When required to write a thesis or project, students will submit timely proposals/drafts to their committees. All research conducted by students must comply with relevant federal, state, and University policies. Students are required to complete theses or projects that are persuasive, cogent, and well-articulated

Spring 2024 Schedule of Classes | University Bookstore