Learning Outcomes and Core Competencies

A learning outcome is a formalized statement of what a learner will understand, value, or be able to do when the course or program is complete. It is designed to be a measurable statement that connects learning activities between courses, programs, and the university. What follows here is information about the program learning outcomes in place at UC San Diego.

Program Learning Outcomes at UC San Diego

The program learning outcomes at UC San Diego are reported on unit websites. They were previously reported in a document titled the Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators (IEEI). In addition to articulating the learning outcomes, the document includes information about assessment activities. Links and documents are noted below.

Program Learning Outcomes- Departments

Departments:

Departments	Most Current IEEI *(by core competency- CC-IEEI)*	Previous IEEI *(P-IEEI)*
Anthropology	Anthropology- CC-IEEI	Anthropology- P-IEEI
Bioengineering	Bioengineering- CC-IEEI	Bioengineering- P-IEEI
Biological Sciences, Division of	Biological Sciences, Division of- CC-IEEI	Biological Sciences, Division of- P-IEEI
Chemistry and Biochemistry	Chemistry and Biochemistry- CC-IEEI	Chemistry and Biochemistry- P-IEEI
Cognitive Science	Cognitive Science- CC-IEEI	Cognitive Science- P-IEEI
Communication	Communication- CC-IEEI	Communication- P-IEEI
Computer Science & Engineering	Computer Science & Engineering- CC-IEEI	Computer Science & Engineering- P-IEEI
Economics	Economics- CC-IEEI	Economics- P-IEEI
Education Studies	Education Studies- CC-IEEI
Electrical & Computer Engineering	Electrical & Computer Engineering- CC-IEEI	Electrical & Computer Engineering- P-IEEI
Ethnic Studies	Ethnic Studies- CC-IEEI	Ethnic Studies- P-IEEI
History	History- CC-IEEI	History- P-IEEI
Linguistics	Linguistics- CC-IEEI	Linguistics- P-IEEI
Literature	Literature- CC-IEEI	Literature- P-IEEI
Mathematics	Mathematics- CC-IEEI	Mathematics- P-IEEI
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering	Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering- CC-IEEI	Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering- P-IEEI
Music	Music- CC-IEEI	Music- P-IEEI
NanoEngineering	NanoEngineering- CC-IEEI	NanoEngineering- P-IEEI
Philosophy	Philosophy- CC-IEEI	Philosophy- P-IEEI
Physics	Physics- CC-IEEI	Physics- P-IEEI
Political Science	Political Science- CC-IEEI	Political Science- P-IEEI
Psychology	Psychology- CC-IEEI	Psychology- P-IEEI
Scripps Institution of Oceanography	Scripps Institution of Oceanography- CC-IEEI	Scripps Institution of Oceanography- P-IEEI
Sociology	Sociology- CC-IEEI	Sociology- P-IEEI
Structural Engineering	Structural Engineering- CC-IEEI	Structural Engineering- P-IEEI
Theater and Dance	Theater and Dance- CC-IEEI	Theater and Dance- P-IEEI
Visual Arts	Visual Arts- CC-IEEI	Visual Arts- P-IEEI

WASC IEEI Form- by core competency

WASC IEEI Form- previous version

Program Learning Outcomes- Programs

Programs:

Programs	Most Current IEEI *(by core competency- CC-IEEI)*	Previous IEEI *(P-IEEI)*
Analytical Writing	Analytical Writing- CC-IEEI
Chemical Engineering	Chemical Engineering- CC-IEEI	Chemical Engineering- P-IEEI
Chinese Studies	Chinese Studies- CC-IEEI	Chinese Studies- P-IEEI
Classical Studies	Classical Studies- CC-IEEI	Classical Studies- P-IEEI
Critical Gender Studies	Critical Gender Studies- CC-IEEI	Critical Gender Studies- P-IEEI
Environmental Systems	Environmental Systems- CC-IEEI	Environmental Systems- P-IEEI
German Studies	German Studies- CC-IEEI	German Studies- P-IEEI
Global Health	Global Health- CC-IEEI	Global Health- P-IEEI
Human Development Sciences	Human Development Sciences- CC-IEEI	Human Development- P-IEEI
International Studies	International Studies- CC-IEEI	International Studies- P-IEEI
Italian Studies	Italian Studies- CC-IEEI	Italian Studies- P-IEEI
Japanese Studies	Japanese Studies- CC-IEEI	Japanese Studies- P-IEEI
Jewish Studies	Jewish Studies- CC-IEEI	Jewish Studies- P-IEEI
Latin American Studies	Latin American Studies- CC-IEEI	Latin American Studies- P-IEEI
Public Health	Public Health- CC-IEEI	Public Health- P-IEEI
Religion, Study Of	Religion, Study of- CC-IEEI	Religion, Study of- P-IEEI
Russian, E. European & Eurasian Studies	Russian, E. European & Eurasian Studies- CC-IEEI	Russian, E. European & Eurasian Studies- P-IEEI
Third World Studies	Third World Studies- CC-IEEI	Third World Studies- P-IEEI
Urban Studies and Planning	Urban Studies and Planning- CC-IEEI	Urban Studies- P-IEEI

WASC IEEI Form- by core competency

WASC IEEI Form- previous version

Program Learning Outcomes- Colleges

Colleges:

Colleges	Most Current IEEI *(by core competency- CC-IEEI)*	Previous IEEI *(P-IEEI)*
Marshall College	Marshall- CC-IEEI	Marshall College Dimensions of Culture
Muir College	Muir- CC-IEEI	Muir College Muir Writing Program
Revelle College	Revelle- CC-IEEI	Revelle College Revelle Humanities
Roosevelt College	Roosevelt- CC-IEEI	Roosevelt College Making of the Modern World
Sixth College	Sixth- CC-IEEI	Sixth College Cultural Art & Technology
Warren College	Warren- CC-IEEI	Warren College Warren Writing Program

WASC IEEI Form- by core competency

WASC IEEI Form- previous version

Program Learning Outcomes - Graduate Division

Graduate Division- Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators - Graduate Programs

UC San Diego Core Competencies

At UC San Diego, program learning outcomes are aligned with both institutional and WASC-WSCUC core competencies.

UC San Diego Core Competencies

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Research Ability
Oral, Written, & Digital Communication
Teamwork & Cross-Cultural Collaboration
Understanding Global Context
Leadership
Professionalism & Integrity
Self-Reflection
Career Development
Digital Information Fluency
Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking

Additional information about the UC San Diego Core Competencies, including definitions, is available at: https://elt.ucsd.edu/competencies/index.html

Accrediting Agency Core Competencies (WSCUC)

At UC San Diego, program learning outcomes are aligned with both institutional and WASC-WSCUC core competencies.

WSCUC Core Competencies

Core Competency	Definition
Written Communication	Communication by means of written language for informational, persuasive, and expressive purposes. Written communication may appear in many forms, or genres. Successful written communication depends on mastery of the conventions of the written language, facility with culturally accepted structures for presentation and argument, awareness of audience, and other situation-specific factors.
Oral Communication	Communication by means of spoken language for information, persuasive, and expressive purposes. In addition to speech, oral communication may employ visual aids, body language, intonation, and other non-verbal elements to support the conveyance of meaning and connection with the audience. Oral communication may include speeches, presentations, discussions, dialogue, and other forms of interpersonal communication, either delivered face to face or mediated technologically.
Quantitative Reasoning	The ability to apply mathematical concepts to the interpretation and analysis of quantitative information in order to solve a wide range of problems, from those arising in pure and applied research to everyday issues and questions. It may include such dimensions as ability to apply math skills, judge reasonableness, communicate quantitative information, and recognize the limits of mathematical or statistical methods.
Information Literacy	According the Association of College and Research Libraries, the ability to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use the needed information” for a wide range of purposes. An information-literate individual is able to determine the extent of information needed, access it, evaluate it and its sources, use the information effectively, and do so ethically and legally.
Critical Thinking	The ability to think in a way that is clear, reasoned, reflective, informed by evidence, and aimed at deciding what to believe or do. Dispositions supporting critical thinking include open-mindedness and motivation to seek the truth.

History of Program Learning Outcomes at UC San Diego

Time frame	Milestone
WSCUC Requirement- Five Core Competencies
2013	UC San Diego’s regional accreditor, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), added a new requirement to its Handbook of Accreditation that institutions, at review time, describe how their learning outcomes address each of five core competencies: Written Communication Oral Communication Quantitative Reasoning Information Literacy Critical Thinking
Discovery and Revision of Current Practices
May – September, 2016	The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Education conducted a preliminary analysis of every College, Department, and Program Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators (IEEI) to identify where these core competencies were already part of the program learning outcomes.
October – December, 2016	All Colleges, Departments, and Programs revised and reorganized the inventories to more intentionally include the five core competencies and to add more descriptive language in those cases when these core competencies were already part of their program learning outcomes.
Assessed the Work to Date
January – April, 2017	Once the inventories were reviewed, the Office of the DUE conducted a second analysis of the inventories for every College, Department, and Program to identify where core competencies were or were not included in the inventories. Outcomes: All six Colleges have inventories that describe how all five core competencies are included in their curriculum. Over half of Departments and Programs have submitted revised inventories. Most core competencies are included in the inventories.
Integrated the Five Core Competencies
May, 2017 – July, 2018	Departments, Colleges, and Programs undergoing Program Review were asked to revise their inventories in the new format and to work with the Teaching and Learning Commons to further develop learning outcomes for each competency, as appropriate.
Published Revised Inventories
August – December, 2018	Departments, Colleges, and Programs finalized current revisions to their inventories and the inventories are published online. Everyone is encouraged to work with the Teaching and Learning Commons to further develop learning outcomes for each competency, as appropriate.
Closing the Assessment Cycle Loop
January, 2018 - Present	Departments, Colleges and Programs are reflecting on the previous year’s assessment, modifying program learning outcomes, adjusting course mapping, revising the assessment plan for the coming year, and collecting assessment data.