As announced previously, learning outcomes for each major program of study are required in the General Catalog for 2018-2019.

• This edition of the Catalog opened for updating on November 6, with the final edits to copy due no later than February 12.
• The required learning outcomes should be added to the Overview section of the major.
• The heading “Learning Outcomes” will appear at the top of this overview of the major section; please add your learning outcomes beneath this heading.

Departments should select around 3-5 learning outcomes for the major that specify the department’s priorities in terms of content and skills that students will learn during the completion of the major.

Such learning is often more than the sum of each course, with students showing a growth in their ability to integrate and apply knowledge and skills. Outcomes are sometimes organized to show this growth.

How student learning is assessed by the department or program and the findings of the assessment process are not included in the Catalog.

• Only the outcomes should be included, giving students a sense of what they might learn from earning a particular major.
• Learning outcomes from the degree as a whole and/or from the General Education CLAS Core requirements are thus not included.
• Most departments or programs will want to add a short paragraph before the outcomes to give the reader a brief introduction to major.

The following points should also be considered:

• Start small. Additional outcomes may appear on the departmental or program website and do not need to be listed in the Catalog.
• Work incrementally. Outcomes may be revised, updated, or expanded each year during the annual Catalog revision process, with departments thus able to work on outcomes over an extended period of time. Continuous improvement in programs of study as in courses is expected and is required as part of the HLC accreditation process; discussing outcomes is a first step toward making changes and improvement.
• Find models. Many organizations have defined the learning objectives for undergraduates in a particular major as have many other universities and colleges. See this page, for example: http://www.asanet.org/teaching-learning/department-leaders/department-leaders-toolbox.
• Make it meaningful. What are outcomes that are non-negotiable for the major? Which are of the highest priority? These often are the easiest to agree on and a good place to start.

For other strategies to help articulate outcomes for the major, visit this UI page: https://uiowa.edu/assessment/article/developing-outcomes