Assurance of Learning

View Graphical Outline of Our Assurance of Learning Program 


Here are 10 things that you should know about our Assurance of Learning program at UAB School of Business:

1.What is Assurance of Learning?

2. How does this AoL program benefit our students?

3. Is the Assurance of Learning (AoL) program required for accreditation?

4. What do the AACSB standards require us to do in our AoL program?

5. What do we actually measure to assess student learning?

6. What are the learning goals and objectives for the undergraduate degrees in Business at
UAB?

7. What are the learning goals and objectives for the MBA program?

8a. Since our Accounting program is separately accredited by AACSB, what are the learning
goals and objectives for this program?

8b. What are the learning goals and objectives for the MAc program?

9. What documentation do you maintain for your AoL program?

10. Are there different learning outcomes for SACS accreditation?





1. What is Assurance of Learning? Assurance of Learning (AoL) or Learning Outcomes
Assessment (LOA) is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about
educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and
development. The goal for these assessments is to achieve continuous improvement in student
learning and achievement.

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2. How does this AoL program benefit our students? To achieve our learning objectives, we
must deploy high quality teachers in the classrooms and this benefits students directly. Also,
we assess students in order to assure ourselves that students are learning. We enhance
student success by continuously finding innovative ways to improve student learning and
achievement.

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3. Is the Assurance of Learning (AoL) program required for accreditation? Yes. AoL is a major
requirement for accreditation by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of
Business (AACSB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

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4. What do the AACSB standards require us to do in our AoL program? AACSB Standards 15
and 16 sets guidelines for AoL programs whereby “the school uses a well documented,
systematic process to develop, monitor, evaluate and revise the substance and delivery of the
curricula of degree programs and to assess the impact of the curricula on learning.”

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5. What do we actually measure to assess student learning? AACSB requires the use of direct
(course‐embedded) measures rather than the use of surveys (indirect measures). Direct
measures can be objective tests or other demonstrations of the mastery of skills, knowledge
and abilities in the general curriculum or business‐specific areas. For course‐embedded
measures, the work of individual students (not student teams) is to be used to assess student
outcomes,. (Exception: assessing “teamwork” as a learning goal). A student’s course grade is
not sufficient to measure achievement of the specific learning goal and program objectives.

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6. What are the learning goals and objectives for the undergraduate degrees in Business at
UAB? Here is a list of the learning goals, objectives, measures and courses where they are
being assessed:

#	Learning Goals	Objectives	Measures	Courses (where measured)
1	Our graduates will be effective communicators (General)	Students will be able to make oral presentations effectively in a professional business context.	1. Organization and clarity 2. Speaking and presentation skills	BUS 450
		Students will be able to use information technology effectively in a professional business context.	Understand how to use various Microsoft Office applications including Word Excel Access and PowerPoint in a business environment.	IS 103
		Students will be able to write effectively in a professional business context.	1. Understand rules of structure and mechanics of grammar 2. Apply proper use of structure grammar content and style when preparing a business memo	BUS 350
2	Our graduates will understand the importance of behaving ethically in their professional lives (General)	Students will be able to recognize and frame responses to ethical problems in organizational settings.	1. Know the terminology and concepts of ethical decision‐ making in an organizational setting. 2. Know ethical principles and their application in various business settings. 3. Know the issues and challenges relative to monitoring and maintaining an ethical environment.	MG 302
3	Our graduates will demonstrate problems solving skills, supported by appropriate techniques in finance and accounting (Area Specific)	(Accounting Focus) Students will demonstrate an understanding of financial reporting, financial markets and institutions, and the use of financial information to make sound business decisions.	1. Understand how business events affect financial statements. 2. Understand how to use financial statements to draw accurate conclusions about the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of business entities.	AC 200
		(Finance Focus) Students will demonstrate an understanding of financial reporting, financial markets and institutions, and the use of financial information to make sound business decisions.	1. Understand the U.S financial system including financial markets and financial institutions 2. Understand how to use financial information to make sound business decisions consistent with the financial goal of value maximization FN 310
4	Our graduates will understand how the use of information technology impacts business performance (Area Specific)	Students will be able to understand the impact of information technology on organizational decisionmaking and business performance.	1. Understand the terminology and concepts in the Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS) discipline. 2. Understand how IT/IS can be used strategically for competitive advantage. 3. Understand some of the major lessons learned from past failure in employing IT/IS in business.	IS 303
5	Our graduates will have a global perspective (Area Specific)	Students will be able to identify the range of domestic, global, and multicultural issues that impact economic strategies and business decisions.	1. Ability to research the issue 2. Ability to relate how the issue affects economies on a global scale 3. Ability to evaluate the negative impact of this issue on competitiveness of US companies 4. Ability to assess what actions US companies should take to neutralize negative impacts on their competitiveness	IB 416
6	Our graduates will understand how companies use both marketing and operations management strategies to serve customers (Area Specific)	(Marketing Focus) Students will understand how businesses assess customer needs in developing and delivering appropriate market offerings in a dynamic marketplace	1. Understand customer orientation and distinguish customer orientation from production and sales orientations. 2. Understand the marketing practices of (i) market segmentation and (ii) target marketing. 3. Understand the concept of strategic market positioning and formulate a marketing mix or blend of marketing variables (including product price promotion and distribution) to achieve a desired strategic market position.	MK 303
		(Operations Focus) Students will understand how businesses use operations management strategies to meet customer needs in a dynamic marketplace.	1. Understand the terminology and concepts used in the Operations Management discipline. 2. Understanding how operational strategies are deployed to effectively deliver products and services to meet customer demand. 3. Understand the managerial challenges involved in deploying operational strategies	MG 403
7	Our graduates will be able to work effectively in teams (General)	Students will know how to work effectively in teams to solve business problems.	1. Know the terminology and concepts involved in team dynamics. 2. Know the stages of team development. 3. Identify and resolve challenges that would impede the effectiveness of the teams ability to solve business problems	MG 302
8	Our graduates will have an appreciation for life‐long professional development (Area Specific)	Students will demonstrate an appreciation for professional development and life‐long improvement.	1. Membership in business student organizations 2. Attendance at Seminars while at UAB 3. Desire to attain professional certification	BUS 450
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7. What are the learning goals and objectives for the MBA program? Here is a list of the
8learning goals, objectives, measures and courses where they are being assessed:

	Learning Goals	Program Objectives	Measures	Courses (where measured)
1	Our graduates will be effective communicators (General)	Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively within a professional business context.	1. Students will demonstrate their effective presentation skills 2. Students will demonstrate their effective writing skills	MBA 651
2	Our graduates will understand how legal and ethical issues impact their professional lives (General)	Students will be able to recognize and frame responses to ethical problems in organizational settings and demonstrate recognition of the impact of major legal requirements on the conduct of business.	1. Students will demonstrate their ability to recognize ethical dilemmas and develop appropriate responses to those situations. 2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of how major legal requirements can impact the conduct of business. MBA 630 3 Our graduates will demonstrate problems solving skills, supported by appropriate techniques in finance and accounting (Area Specific)	MBA 630
3	Our graduates will demonstrate problems solving skills, supported by appropriate techniques in finance and accounting (Area Specific)	Students will demonstrate an understanding of financial information and sources of financing.	1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the differences between financial and managerial accounting information and how they are used. 2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the behavior of costs and how different costs are used for various decisions.	MBA 610
		Students will demonstrate their ability to effectively use financial information in making business decisions.	1. Students will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of various sources of financial information. 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to use financial information to make sound corporate financial decisions consistent with the financial goal and framework of value maximization . Decision areas include capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy.	MBA 621
4	Our graduates will understand how the use of information technology impacts business performance (Area Specific)	Students will understand how the use of information technology impacts organizational decisionmaking and business performance.	1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how IT/IS can be used strategically as an advantage in a business. 2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the basic IT/IS best practices and benchmarks to improve business performance including lessons learned from past failures	MBA 611
5	Our graduates will understand how global issues impact business performance. (Area Specific)	Students will understand the range of domestic, global, and multicultural issues that impact economic strategies and business decisions.	Students should understand the opportunities and risks involved in making business decisions in an international environment	MBA 624
6	Our graduates will be able to use appropriate strategies and techniques to effectively meet the needs of customers (Area Specific)	Students should demonstrate how to assess potential customer needs and to develop new market offerings to meet those needs.	1. Students should understand the sources and uses of secondary data. 2. Students should understand the steps involved in primary data research. 3. Students should understand the production issues involved in developing a new product. 4. Students should demonstrate the ability to select the appropriate methods to solve the problems presented in the case example.	MBA 651
7	Our graduates will understand how to use analytical tools effectively (General)	Students will understand how to effectively use statistical and other decision tools to make business decisions.	Students should effectively use statistical and other decision tools to make business decisions	MBA 661
8	Our graduates will be able to synthesize information when making business decisions (Area Specific)	Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively employ skills from more than one business discipline in making business decisions.	1. Students will be able to recognize the appropriate functional business concepts or skills that apply to specific executive level decisions. 2. Students will be able to synthesize the information from diverse functional areas into a coherent pattern of executive decision making. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate the importance of organizational power motivation and leadership as key elements in the implementation of executive level decisions. 4. Students will be able to appreciate the importance of ambiguity and uncertainty as elements in strategic decisions.	MBA 634
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8a. Since our Accounting program is separately accredited by AACSB, what are the learning
goals and objectives for this program? For the B.S. in Accounting, here are the learning goals,
objectives, measures and courses where they are being assessed:

	Learning Goals	Learning Objectives	Measures	Course (where measured)
1	Our graduates will be able to understand and interpret compliance tax issues and prepare tax calculations for individuals and enterprises.	Students should be able to prepare appropriate tax documents for individuals and enterprises.	1. Prepare taxable income calculations for individuals accurately. 2. Prepare taxable income calculations for enterprises accurately.	AC 402, AC 452
2	Our graduates will be able to communicate Accounting information effectively.	Students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills.	Traits: 1. Subject 2. Organization/Clarity 3. Preparation 4. Sensitivity to Audience 5. Visual Aids	AC 495
		Students will use their specialized Accounting knowledge and skills to solve business problems.	Traits: 1. Problem Identification 2. Generation of Alternatives 3. Recommendations 4. Business Judgment	AC 495
3	Our graduates will be able to record, analyze, and interpret historical and prospective financial and non‐financial information.	Students should be able to prepare financial reporting statements such as the income statement and the balance sheet	1. Prepare income statement in accordance with appropriate standards. 2. Prepare balance sheet in accordance with appropriate standards	AC 402
		Students should be able to use their specialized knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting requirements to solve business problems.	1. Analyze the data and relevant literature accurately 2. Develop appropriate solution(s) to solve the professional problem	AC 423, AC 472
4	Our graduates will understand how the design and application of information technology impacts financial and nonfinancial information management.	Students should understand how the design and application of information technology impacts financial and nonfinancial information management.	Understand how information technology impacts financial and nonfinancial information management.	AC 413
		Students should understand how to use data analysis software to manage accounting programs such as internal controls and security.	Understand how to use data analysis software	AC 413
5	Our graduates will understand the ethical and regulatory environment for accountants along with the roles that accountants play in ensuring the integrity of financial and other information.	Students should understand the corporate code of conduct and the codes of conduct for auditors.	Understand the professional code of conduct.	AC 413
		Students should understand the various forms of corporate governance structure.	Understand corporate governance structure.	AC 413
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8b. What are the learning goals and objectives for the MAc program? For the Mac program,
here are the learning goals, objectives, measures and courses where they are assessed:

	Learning Goals	Learning Objectives	Measures	Courses (where measured)
1	Our graduates will be able to think critically about risks and information integrity when presented with historical and prospective financial and non‐financial information.	Students should be able to analyze and resolve problems reflected on various financial statements	Traits: 1. Analyze problems associated with financial statements. 2. Analyze the risks reflected in financial statements.	AC 606
		Students should be able to use their specialized knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting requirements to solve business problems.	Traits: 1. Analyze the data and relevant literature accurately 2. Apply specialized knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and procedures accurately	AC 606
2	Our graduates will understand how to communicate accounting information effectively to various clients.	Students should understand how to prepare and communicate accounting information effectively.	Traits: 1. Analyze the problem using appropriate accounting tools 2. Research the issue using authoritative literature	AC 600
3	Our graduates will understand the ethical and regulatory environment for accountants.	Students should understand both the individual and managerial challenges involved in ethical decision making.	Understand the issues related to ethical decision making	AC 606
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9. What documentation do you maintain for your AoL program? AACSB requires us to keep the
following documentation: Copies of instruments, course‐imbedded assignments, scoring grids
or rubrics, summary of data and analyses, sample of student products used, documentation
that data was used, and documentation of curricula actions that were taken based on
assessment results.

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10. Are there different learning outcomes for SACS accreditation? Yes, in addition to the
learning goals that we use for AACSB accreditation, we also have learning outcomes to assess
competency in each of the undergraduate majors. Here, we are assessing specialized skills,
knowledge and abilities that students should master for employment in each discipline.
Specifically, we are assessing each student’s ability to understand and apply key concepts,
strategies and techniques in their chosen major. These assessments are done in an upper level
or capstone course for each major.

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