Northern Illinois University
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

A current and comprehensive assessment plan is essential for supporting student learning. Each degree program is required to maintain an assessment plan which outlines the student learning outcomes for the program and to collect data related to these outcomes on a regular basis. Assessment plans are typically updated every six to eight years on average.

Programs are also asked to submit annual updates and periodic status reports, which are used to provide formative feedback on assessment efforts.

• Academic Degree Programs Assessment plan guidelines and template (DOC)
• Sample Assessment Plan (PDF)

Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Plans

College of Business

College of Education

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

College of Health and Human Sciences

College of Law

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Annual Update

Each year, programs complete an annual assessment update report. This process is designed to help programs understand how well students are meeting the program’s student learning outcomes and to ensure that programs have enough data to support status reports (typically a four-year cycle) and program review (typically an eight-year cycle).

• Guidelines and Template (DOC)
• AAU Scoring Rubric (PDF)
• Sample Report (DOC)

Status Report

Status reports for academic degree programs are required approximately every four to five years (midway through its NIU program review cycle). Status reports are reviewed by the University Assessment Panel, which reports its findings to the Academic Planning Council.

• Status Report Orientation Presentation (PDF)
• Guidelines and Template (DOC) 
• UAP Scoring Rubric (DOC)
• Sample Reports (DOC)
• Schedule (PDF)