Assessment of Learning Outcomes at Western
Background
Western Washington University’s assessment plan defines a set of developmental steps leading to a continuous institutional system for assessing student performance.
At Western assessment is continuous in that it is structured as an iterative feedback process of ongoing program improvement.
Developmental steps include:
- Departmental and program-level mission statements derived from the University Mission and Strategic Action Plan
- The establishment of departmental and program-level student learning outcomes
- Opportunities to learn (curriculum) aligned with the student learning outcomes
- Measurement of student performance relative to student learning outcomes
- The collection, analysis and sharing of data derived from these assessments
- The systematic use of this data to improve programs and operations
Assessment Reports
In order that faculty have ownership of assessment efforts, Western’s assessment structure is decentralized: faculty-driven department and program assessment plans form the foundation of our assessment efforts.
To Submit Departmental Assessments
WWU faculty and staff can submit departmental assessment plans, assessment of student learning outcomes, and reports on continuous improvement efforts using our online form.
See links below for online forms:
To See Submitted Departmental Assessments
Departmental assessment plans, assessment of student learning outcomes and reports on continuous improvement efforts can be found in the following locations:
Program Learning Outcomes
For clarity and transparency to students, academic departments, centers and institutes are asked to review program learning outcomes prior to their publication on a student-facing website; this is also an expectation for accreditation purposes by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCUU). Standard 1.C.3 states "(t)he institution identifies and publishes expected program and degree learning outcomes for all degrees, certificates, and credentials. Information on expected student learning outcomes for all courses is provided to enrolled students."
The following data table includes program learning outcomes for all Western Washington University awarded degrees, including:
- Undergraduate four-year majors (BA, BAE, BFA, BMus, BS, BSN)
- Graduate degrees (AuD, EdD, MA, MBA, MEd, MFA, MMus, MPAcc, MS, MSN, MIT)
- Certifications (WWU awarded)
- Credentials (additional endorsements)
How to navigate the 2026-2027 program learning outcomes data table
Users may filter program learning outcomes data in the left navigation by College, Academic Unit and/or Degree. Users may use one, two or all three filters, or filter by name in Field of Study. Filtered degrees will appear under Field of Study. Select a degree to view the program learning outcomes in the display field. Select the "clear selections" icon above the filter field to start over. Users can display data in full-screen mode in the bottom right corner of the table.