NDSU’s experience applying the Degree Qualifications Profile was featured in the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment’s February newsletter. The profile is a new direction for American higher education to be tested and developed in partnership with faculty, students, leaders and stakeholders. 

In May 2011, NDSU’s regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, invited NDSU to become one of 20 institutions in Cohort Three to test a new accreditation model as part of the Pioneer Institutions of the Pathways Demonstration Project. 

The new model requires a quality initiative or improvement process. As a pioneer institution, NDSU asked departments to compare the student learning outcomes and activities in undergraduate capstone experiences in each major with the Degree Qualifications Profile benchmarks for applied learning. 

The National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment’s profiled NDSU’s electronic survey and results. 

NDSU was invited to write a summary of the successes and challenges encountered in furthering student learning through evaluating how well the Degree Qualifications Profile fit with its existing capstones. The summary is intended to spark further conversation and actions that help advance the use of the profile. 

NDSU’s Core Undergraduate Learning Experiences team organized and implemented the project. Larry Peterson, director of accreditation, assessment and academic advising, submitted NDSU’s summary. 

The report said NDSU will “continue to use the DQP as a reference point in campus conversations about assessment and shared learning outcomes for all undergraduates.” 

For more information, visit www.learningoutcomeassessment.org/DQPInPractice.html. 

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.