Graduate Student Learning Assessment

Program-Specific Degree Learning Outcomes (DLO's)

Download a printable pdf of the Learning, Design, and Technology DLO's

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's) and Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)

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Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's) Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)
PLO 1: Synthesize complex material and present it in a clear, concise manner. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
SLO 3 : Describe, compare and contrast social scientific methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) to the study of mass communication
SLO 6: Contextualize major events and milestones that contributed to specific mass communication phenomena
PLO 2: Conduct research on real-world problems, within the lense of academic theory. SLO 5: Understand and apply the appropriate tools, platforms and applications for mass communication research projects.
SLO 4: Understand and apply the ethical principles of social scientific inquiry and IRB guidelines when conducting mass communication research projects
SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena
PLO 3: Demonstrate ethical practices in professional and academic communication. SLO 4: Understand and apply the ethical principles of social scientific inquiry and IRB guidelines when conducting mass communication research projects
SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO8: Develop appreciation for the diverse ways in which social science inquiry can be conducted in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations.
PLO 4: Possess critical thinking and analytical skills to apply to mass communication and media studies phenomena. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 3 : Describe, compare and contrast social scientific methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) to the study of mass communication
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
PLO 5: Explain major theories that have been developed to explain the relationship between media, culture, and society. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
SLO8: Develop appreciation for the diverse ways in which social science inquiry can be conducted in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations.
PLO6: Undertake a research project and be able to apply social scientific rigor throughout the process from explication of the theoretical construct to synthesis of the findings. SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena
SLO7: Write an academic paper that conforms to APA writing style
SLO 5: Understand and apply the appropriate tools, platforms and applications for mass communication research projects.
PLO7: Apply social science rigor approaches to strategic, professional and academic fields related to mass communication SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO7: Write an academic paper that conforms to APA writing style
SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena

Student Learning Outcomes for Overall Program (JMS Core) within Courses

I = Introduce, D = Develop, M = Mastery

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Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's) JMS 600A JMS 600B JMS 619 JMS 620 JMS 701 JMS 799A
SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research I I D D M M
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication I I D D M M
SLO 3 : Describe, compare and contrast social scientific methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) to the study of mass communication I I D D M M
SLO 4: Understand and apply the ethical principles of social scientific inquiry and IRB guidelines when conducting mass communication research projects I I D D M M
SLO 5: Understand and apply the appropriate tools, platforms and applications for mass communication research projects. I I D D M M
SLO 6: Contextualize major events and milestones that contributed to specific mass communication phenomena I/D I/D I/D I/D M M
SLO7: Write an academic paper that conforms to APA writing style I I D D M M
SLO8: Develop appreciation for the diverse ways in which social science inquiry can be conducted in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations. I I D D M M
SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena I I D D M M
SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena. I I I/D I/D M M

Comprehensive Assessment Plan

Download a printable pdf of the below Student assessment chart

PLO SLO Course Where SLO Assessed Assessment Activity Assessment Tool Used Assessment Schedule How Data is Reported Personnel Designated to Interpret Data Data Dissemination Schedule Closing the Loop Strategies
PLO 1: Synthesize complex material and present it in a clear, concise manner. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
SLO 3 : Describe, compare and contrast social scientific methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) to the study of mass communication
SLO 6: Contextualize major events and milestones that contributed to specific mass communication phenomena
 JMS600A:Seminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Mass Communication JMS 600B – Seminar: Research Methods in Mass Communication and Media Studies JMS 619- Seminar: Qualitative Methods in Media Research JMS 620 – Seminar: Quantitative Methods in Media Research JMS 701 – Seminar: Mass Communication Problems Analytical/academic paper Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO 2: Conduct research on real-world problems, within the lense of academic theory. SLO 5: Understand and apply the appropriate tools, platforms and applications for mass communication research projects.
SLO 4: Understand and apply the ethical principles of social scientific inquiry and IRB guidelines when conducting mass communication research projects
SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena
 JMS 619- Seminar: Qualitative Methods in Media Research JMS 620 – Seminar: Quantitative Methods in Media Research JMS 701 – Seminar: Mass Communication Problems Academic paper and presentation, SPSS exam, Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO 3: Demonstrate ethical practices in professional and academic communication. SLO 4: Understand and apply the ethical principles of social scientific inquiry and IRB guidelines when conducting mass communication research projects
SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO8: Develop appreciation for the diverse ways in which social science inquiry can be conducted in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations.
 JMS 600B – Seminar: Research Methods in Mass Communication and Media Studies JMS 619- Seminar: Qualitative Methods in Media Research JMS 620 – Seminar: Quantitative Methods in Media Research JMS 701 – Seminar: Mass Communication Problems JMS 799A Thesis or Project Academic paper and presentation Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO 4: Possess critical thinking and analytical skills to apply to mass communication and media studies phenomena. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 3 : Describe, compare and contrast social scientific methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) to the study of mass communication
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
 JMS 600A – Seminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Mass Communication and Media Studies JMS 600B – Seminar: Research Methods in Mass Communication and Media Studies JMS 619- Seminar: Qualitative Methods in Media Research JMS 620 – Seminar: Quantitative Methods in Media Research JMS 701 – Seminar: Mass Communication Problems JMS 799A Thesis or Project Academic paper and presentation Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO 5: Explain major theories that have been developed to explain the relationship between media, culture, and society. SLO 1: Explain the nature of theory and its significance to academic research
SLO 2: Describe, compare, and contrast prominent theoretical approaches to the study of mass communication
SLO8: Develop appreciation for the diverse ways in which social science inquiry can be conducted in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations.
 JMS600A:Seminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Mass Communication Analytical/academic paper Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO6: Undertake a research project and be able to apply social scientific rigor throughout the process from explication of the theoretical construct to synthesis of the findings. SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena
SLO7: Write an academic paper that conforms to APA writing style
SLO 5: Understand and apply the appropriate tools, platforms and applications for mass communication research projects.
 JMS 619- Seminar: Qualitative Methods in Media Research JMS 620 – Seminar: Quantitative Methods in Media Research JMS 701 – Seminar: Mass Communication Problems JMS 799A Thesis or Project (if project, comps will be needed) Academic paper and presentation Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.
PLO7: Apply social science rigor approaches to strategic, professional and academic fields related to mass communication SLO10: Develop competency of statistical data analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, Python) for mass communication phenomena.
SLO7: Write an academic paper that conforms to APA writing style
SLO9: Conduct original research and data analysis of a mass communication phenomena
 JMS 799A Thesis or Project (if project, comps will be needed) Thesis; comprehensive exam (if project) Rubric created for each SLO Once per cohort cycle (every 12 months) Report on students that completed each SLO by instructor by percentage of students socring at the highly proficient level and/or observational narrative. Assessed every 12 months when course is taught. SLO course instructor will assign and grade assignment using appropriate rubric. Assessment data will be reported to Academic Programs and Planning. The University Academic Assessment council will review and provide feedback. Feedback provided will be used to improve the assessment for next cohort. Assessment task force will review yearly results and identify where improvement is needed. Will provide feedback to the director for appropriate communication to course instructor.

Contact Us:

School of Journalism & Media Studies
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4561
T - 619-594-5450

San Diego State University

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