Academic Advising Handbook: student learning outcomes

Kansas State University strives to create an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and growth, one in which academic freedom, breadth of thought and action, and individual empowerment are valued and flourish. We endeavor to prepare citizens who will continue to learn and will contribute to the societies in which they live and work.

Students share in the responsibility for a successful university educational experience. Upon completion of their degree and regardless of disciplinary major, undergraduates are expected to demonstrate ability in at least five essential areas.

Knowledge

Students will demonstrate a depth of knowledge and apply the methods of inquiry in a discipline of their choosing, and they will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge across their choice of varied disciplines.

Critical thinking

Students will demonstrate the ability to access and interpret information, respond and adapt to changing situations, make complex decisions, solve problems, and evaluate actions.

Communication

Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Diversity

Students will demonstrate awareness and understanding of the skills necessary to live and work in a diverse world.

Academic and professional integrity

Students will demonstrate awareness and understanding of the ethical standards of their academic discipline and/or profession.

From the Undergraduate Catalog. Approved by the Kansas State University Faculty Senate on April 13, 2004.

NACADA guidelines for student learning outcomes of academic advising

The student learning outcomes of academic advising are guided by an institution’s mission, goals, curriculum and co-curriculum. These outcomes, defined in an advising curriculum, articulate what students will demonstrate, know, value, and do as a result of participating in academic advising. Each institution must develop its own set of student learning outcomes and the methods to assess them. The following is a representative sample. Students will:

• craft a coherent educational plan based on assessment of abilities, aspirations, interests, and values
• use complex information from various sources to set goals, reach decisions, and achieve those goals
• assume responsibility for meeting academic program requirements
• articulate the meaning of higher education and the intent of the institution’s curriculum
• cultivate the intellectual habits that lead to a lifetime of learning
• behave as citizens who engage in the wider world around them

National Academic Advising Association. (2006). NACADA concept of academic advising. Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Concept-Advising.htm