Departmental Assessment Update - Architecture Report

Department: Architecture
Program: D.Arch.
Level: Graduate

8. How are the assessment data/results used to inform decisions concerning the curriculum and administration of the program?

The Associate Dean and several members of the accreditation committee serve on the curriculum committee. Curriculum changes are made as a result of assessing student learning in each course and the development of learning over the full arc of the curriculum.

7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?

Instructors provide the first level of interpretation of learning for students in their courses. Faculty attending each midterm and final studio presentation give feedback to the studio instructor and students. The Associate Dean and the accreditation committee reviews student work samples submitted to provide evidence of meeting NAAB SPC’s. 

5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for student performance? (e.g. 70% students will graduate within 5 years)

Benchmarks are under development.

3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on their syllabi?

Starting fall 08 SPC’s and SLO’s are to be listed on each required course syllabus.

4. Does your program have a curriculum map that links course outcomes to program outcomes? If so, please include.

The School uses the NAAB course matrix which lists each required course and its associated SPC’s.

1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If yes, please list.

SLO’s have been developed at the course level for all required courses as part of a curriculum revision undertaken AY 07-08 that will be implemented AY 08-09. In addition to the SLO’s, the School uses National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria (SPC’s).

2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are they published (e.g., department web page)?

SLO’s are published in an internal School document which lists each course and its associated SLO’s and SPC’s. This document is distributed to faculty.

9. What attempts are made to monitor students’ postgraduate professional activities?

6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes for the degree? (i.e. capstone project, class assignment)

Students are required to submit to a Comprehensive Portfolio Review at the end of their third year and are required to pass prior to moving to fourth year design studio courses. All faculty and a faculty committee review the portfolios. 

All students are required to pass the Doctorate Project at the completion of their studies. The student works independently on design and research and is guided and evaluated by a chair and committee.