LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Assessment Activity: Program or Course embedded activity that measures the achievement of a Learning Outcome.
1.1.2 Academic Council: The academic governance advisory body at the University that plays a substantial and critical role in setting the academic direction of the University.
1.1.3 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.4 Accreditation: Official recognition that an Academic Unit, Program or Course has met the established standards of quality set by an Accrediting Body.
1.1.5 Accrediting/Certifying Body: An organization that evaluates and formally recognizes that a Program or Course meets the established standards of quality.
1.1.6 Accreditation Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes established by Accrediting Bodies to ensure that Programs and Courses meet specific outcomes.
1.1.7 Assessment: The systematic process of documenting and using empirical data to measure knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs.
1.1.8 Assessment Schedule: A detailed plan that outlines the frequency, timing, methods of assessing, and data collection of Student achievement of a Learning Outcome.
1.1.9 College Curriculum Committee (CCC): A college-level standing committee responsible for reviewing Curricular matters that have been endorsed by the Program Curriculum Committee (PCC).
1.1.10 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific learning outcomes.
1.1.11 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a Student can demonstrate immediately upon completion of a Course.
1.1.12 Credit: A unit of measurement assigned to a Course based on the total amount of learning time that counts toward a Program or credential completion, at a particular level of the Qatar National Qualification Framework.
1.1.13 Curricular: Courses of study offered by the University.
1.1.14 Curriculum: The subjects comprising a Course of study in a Program.
1.1.15 Curriculum Map: A visual representation of a program that maps Course Learning Outcomes against Graduate Attributes, Program Educational Objectives, Student Learning Outcomes, Qatar National Qualifications Framework, Accrediting Body Requirements, and Professional Body Requirements.
1.1.16 Direct Assessment: A systematic process of evaluating Student performance directly related to the intended learning objectives or outcomes.
1.1.17 Graduate Attributes: High-level description of the universal knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon graduation.
1.1.18 Indirect Assessment: A systematic process of evaluating student performance, indirectly related to the intended learning objectives or outcomes.
1.1.19 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.20 Learning Sessions: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by the Course.
1.1.21 Learning Outcomes Assessment: A systematic process of evaluating and reviewing Learning Outcomes with the purpose of implementing evidence-based interventions that result in the maintenance of program quality and continuous improvement.
1.1.22 Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan: A detailed plan for a Program that includes the Curriculum Map, Performance Indicators, Performance Targets, Academic Assessment Activities, and Assessment Schedule, and is approved by Academic Council.
1.1.23 Learning Outcomes Assessment Report: A formal document that presents the findings, analysis, and outcomes of a Program’s Academic Assessment Activities.
1.1.24 Learning Session: Classes, labs, placements, or work term prescribed by a Course.
1.1.25 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.26 Professional Association: An organization that represents and advances the interests of individuals in a specific occupational field to help members stay current in their field.
1.1.27 Professional Association Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes established by Professional Associations to ensure that Programs and Courses meet specific outcomes.
1.1.28 Program Curriculum Committee (PCC): A program-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters.
1.1.29 Program Educational Objectives (PEOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate within 2-3 years of graduation.
1.1.30 Qatar National Qualifications Framework (QNQF): A structured system that classifies and standardizes qualifications in Qatar based on knowledge, skill, and competency levels.
1.1.31 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.32 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate immediately upon graduation.
1.1.33 Student Performance Indicator: Measurable statement that identify the evidence of Student performance required to meet the Learning Outcomes.
1.1.34 Student Performance Target: The target goal for a Performance Indicator associated with a Learning Outcome.
1.1.35 Sub-Course Learning Outcomes (SCLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a Student can demonstrate immediately upon completion of a Learning Session.
1.1.36 University Curriculum and Program Development Committee (UCPDC): A university-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters that have been reviewed by both the PCC and the CCC.
1.1.37 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 This Policy:
2.1.1 Governs the development and Assessment of Learning Outcomes for all Programs offered by the University.
2.1.2 Ensures that Learning Outcomes are developed and use valid and reliable Assessments.
2.1.3 Ensures continuous improvement in Program quality and Student learning.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This policy applies to all academic Credit Programs at the University.
4.0 Policy Statement(s)
4.1 All Programs must have a Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan that has been endorsed by:
4.1.1 PCC.
4.1.2 CCC.
4.1.3 UCPDC.
4.1.4 Academic Council.
4.2 All Programs must measure and assess Learning Outcomes to provide evidence that the Student has achieved the requirements of:
4.2.1 Qatar National Qualifications Framework,
4.2.2 University Graduate Attributes,
4.2.3 Program Educational Objectives (PEOs),
4.2.4 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs),
4.2.5 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs),
4.2.6 Sub-Course Learning Outcomes (SCLOs), if relevant,
4.2.7 Occupational field of study,
4.2.8 Relevant Accreditation Learning Outcomes, and
4.2.9 Relevant Professional Association Learning Outcomes.
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 PL-AC-17: New Program Development and Approval Policy
6.2 PL-AC-18: Program Review Policy.
6.3 PL-AC-19: Curriculum Enhancement Policy.
6.4 PR-AC-29: Learning Outcomes Assessment Procedure.