Competency Assessments

The University's competency assessment program is part of a statewide effort in Virginia, administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), to gather data and issue reports on the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's educational institutions. These competency assessments also serve to demonstrate compliance with the SACSCOC General Education Competency Standard. SCHEV's Policy on Student Learning Assessment and Quality in Undergraduate Education stipulates institutional requirements for the 2018-2024 assessment cycle.

For each of the six competencies listed below, the purpose of the assessment process is to (1) identify what students should learn, (2) help them learn that knowledge or skill, (3) determine how well they have learned, and (4) modify the educational experience to help students learn better, if necessary. The first four competencies were prescribed by the State; the other two were selected by the University:

• Civic Engagement and Community Engagement
• Critical Thinking 
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Written Communication
• Global Competence
• Information Literacy 

The University Assessment team administers assessments and works with faculty and staff committees for each competency to review the findings and make recommendations. Results of the assessments are provided to university leadership and faculty for use, as necessary, to improve the curriculum and teaching, and are reported to SCHEV.

These competency assessments have been conducted since 2001-2002. Examples of assessment reports completed since 2010 and available upon request include:

• Critical Thinking (2010-2011)
• Oral Communication (2015-2016)
• Quantitative Reasoning (2013-2014)
• Scientific Reasoning (2012-2013)
• Undergraduate Research (2011-2012)