Academic Program Assessment

Each year, the Clinton School assesses the achievement of its learning goals and outcomes. You can view the assessment plans for the in-person program (MPS) and the online program (CSO).

In the 2020-21 academic year, the Clinton School assessed its achievement on Learning Goals #1 and #2.

Faculty submitted summary statistics for each course, which were used to calculate average scores for each Learning Outcome. The benchmark to meet was an average score of 80% for each outcome.

Student Learning Goal #1: Students will be proficient in the body of knowledge related to public service

• Learning Outcome 1.1 Students will be familiar with and make connections among the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends relevant to public service.

• Learning Outcome 1.2 Students will understand the complexities of public service work in local, regional, national, and international contexts.

Student Learning Goal #2: Students will facilitate participatory social change that advances social and economic justice

• Learning Outcome 2.1 Students will identify, develop, and/or mobilize resources (e.g., human, social, economic, political, physical, civic, etc.) to facilitate social change.

• Learning Outcome 2.2 Students will understand social change models and how to apply them appropriately.

A double bar chart shows average grades for in-person and online students for each of the learning outcomes for 2021-22. Across all learning outcomes, both programs surpassed the benchmark of 80%. Learning outcome 1.1, in person average 92.4%, online average 90.0% Learning outcome 1.2, in person average 93.6%, online average 88.8% Learning outcome 2.1, in person average 92.5%, online average 91.6% Learning outcome 2.2, in person average 92.4%, online average 90.7%

For more information, please click on the following links:

• Assessment report: The in-person program (MPS) and the online program (CSO).

During the 2021-22 academic year, the school assessed learning goals #3 and #4, collecting grades for each course mapped to those outcomes. The goal was an average score of 80% for each outcome.

Student Learning Goal #3: Students will be proficient in field research

• Outcome 3.1 Students will conceptualize issues to be studied and formulate appropriate research questions.

• Outcome 3.2 Students will apply extant field research to public service work.

• Outcome 3.3 Students will use appropriate information gathering techniques and methods in field research.

• Outcome 3.4 Students will conduct appropriate data analysis.

• Outcome 3.5 Students will critically analyze methods, results, and implications.

Student Learning Goal #4:  Students will be proficient in field project work

• Outcome 4.1 Students will design projects using appropriate methods.

• Outcome 4.2 Students will implement an action plan appropriate to the context.

• Outcome 4.3 Students will evaluate the implementation, outcome, and impact of a project.

A double bar chart shows average grades for in-person and online students for each of the learning outcomes for 2021-22. Across all learning outcomes, both programs surpassed the benchmark of 80%. Learning outcome 3.1, in person average 91%, online average 89% Learning outcome 3.2, in person average 92%, online average 89% Learning outcome 3.3, in person average 93%, online average 91%. Learning outcome 3.4, in person average 94%, online average 93%. Learning outcome 3.5, in person average 94%, online average 93%. Learning outcome 4.1, in person average 93%, online average 89%. Learning outcome 4.2, in person average 94%, online average 92%. Learning outcome 4.3, in person average 94%, online average 94%.

For the full assessment plans and reports, please click on the following links:

• Assessment report: The in-person program (MPS) and the online program (CSO).

During the 2022-23 academic year, the school assessed learning goal #5.

Student Learning Goal #5: Students will be professional and ethical public servants. 

• Outcome 5.1 Students will be aware of their own personal values and how they affect their public service work.

• Outcome 5.2 Students will use critical thinking skills to address ethical and professional dilemmas. 

• Outcome 5.3 Students will understand public service values, principles and behaviors. 

• Outcome 5.4 Students will be able to work with diverse populations.

For the full assessment plans and reports, please click on the following links:

• Assessment report: The in-person program (MPS) and the online program (CSO).