Methods of assessment in journalism and strategic communication include both direct and indirect measures. Assessment data provide faculty and administration information to improve student learning on 11 program outcomes.*

Direct Measures 

• Schoolwide assessment mapped to required courses
  (includes three measurements for each program outcome from 1^st year through 4^th year of students’ journalism and strategic communication curriculum)
• Portfolio reviews (in select course)
• Employer feedback (Recruitment visits, Internship supervisors, visiting professionals)
• Client feedback (Adzou and MOJO Ad presentations)

Indirect Measures 

• Schoolwide career outcomes survey
• Student awards

The primary direct measure of student learning is known as the J-School’s assessment map — a series of assessments linked to required courses throughout the curriculum. Faculty evaluate students on 11 program outcomes from students’ first year of learning through their capstone coursework. Data are aggregated, analyzed and evaluated to show trends in student learning. The School’s Teaching and Assessment committee prioritizes areas for improvement that are implemented each spring.

The school also routinely solicits feedback from visiting alumni and industry professionals, as well as from clients served by our agencies. The assessment information is regularly used to guide curriculum decisions and inform teaching and learning practices. The school has provided continuous assessment of graduating students since 1994.

Program Outcomes

The School’s program outcomes are aligned with the professional values and competencies as defined by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) which states that irrespective of a student’s particular specialization all graduates should be able to:

1. Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located; 
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications; 
3. Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
4. Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
5. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve; 
6. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity; 
7. Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work; 
8. Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts; 
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness; 
10. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. 

In addition, faculty collectively agreed that all students graduating from the program should be able to:

Professional collaboration

* Program outcomes last updated in December 2020 with approvals by the School of Journalism Curriculum and Teaching and Assessment Committees.