The Challenge of Program Assessment

ABSTRACT "Program assessment is an ongoing process designed to monitor and improve student learning and provide direct assessment for accreditation requirements. There are various challenges and potential complications in program assessment design. Faculty develop learning outcomes and verify courses in the program fostering them. Faculty develop assessments, creating the methodologies through ongoing input and discussion. Deciding where appropriate assessment should occur in the program; choosing selected courses or choosing a capstone course for assessment are major decisions. Utilizing a capstone course for direct assessment with embedded assignments has its own issues, requirements, strengths and weaknesses. .A capstone assessment approach in a Master of Accountancy Program includes defining the data, assessment tools, what is analyzed and assessed. Observations from utilizing this type of approach is discussed addressing external versus internal mandates with a focus on internal support and effective leadership within an academic environment."