M.Ed.

in Higher Education Program Learning Outcomes: Self-Assessment

Now that you are completing the M.Ed. in Higher Education, please rate your level of competency with the 10 learning outcomes (See
Below). You first completed this assessment in HI ED 490. While you may not have kept that version, wed like you to think back
when you first started the program and give yourself an honest appraisal of where you were with regard to the program learning
outcomes when you began. Then give yourself a score for now in the Nearing Completion, and finally what you would like to
achieve in the future.

Novice Average Mastery

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

M.Ed. Expected Program Learning Nearing

Initial
Outcomes
Academic Literacies and Habits of Mind:
1. Critical reading proficiencies
(especially analysis of research and
scholarly journal articles) to deal
effectively with theoretical, empirical,
and policy material in higher education
2. Critical writing proficiencies to analyze
problems of practice, draw upon and
apply concepts studied, and synthesize
ideas into relevant and useful
conclusions
3. Critical thinking skills that require
suspended judgment and the application
of relevant theory to varied areas of
practice, both in written material and
oral communications
4. Becoming a responsible, proactive,
reflective, life-long learner
Social Learning and Communication:
Future
Completion
I would like to continue to learn about current policies in
higher education. During my law in higher education course
3 7 I was able to complete a large amount of research on specific
higher education policies.
As an undergraduate English major, I had a good handle on
how to write scholarly essays. However, this program has
6 8 prepared me even more to engage in critical writing. Every
course taken required multiple critical writing assignments.
This is an area where I could use more practice. I have taken
stands on many issues but have not practiced looking at both
4 6 sides of a topic. I could also use more practice in oral
communication as most of our program was completed
through writing.
This program has encouraged me to be and engaged learner
not only in the classroom but also in my job. I have taken on
5 9
more responsibility and increased my interests to other areas
of higher ed. besides admissions.
5. Ability to collaborate with others, solve
problems, make decisions and engage
in reflective practice
6. Understanding of purpose, audience,
and context for written communication
and oral presentations
7. Use information and communication
technologies
Practical and Professional Capabilities:
8. Draw upon key theories, concepts and
research findings to assess current
issues and challenges facing higher
education
9. Collect and analyze data to improve
practice in particular administrative
areas of higher education
10. Clarify values and apply the standards
of professional and ethical practice as a
future leader in this field
As part of the M.ED program we were required to take part in
countless discussion boards. These boards were places that
7 10 we could share our ideas and ask questions of our peers. We
were able to engage in meaningful and thought provoking
conversations on a daily basis.
We have written for many different audiences throughout
this program. We have journals, discussion boards, research
papers, etc. Each of these assignments allowed us to practice
5 8
writing for different audiences. We didnt get as much
practice with oral presentations and that is an area where I
could improve but is something I do for my job every day.
Since completing a degree completely online my
understanding of technology and gaining information
through technology has expanded greatly. I have learned how
4 8 to locate appropriate articles online and how to communicate
effectively with my professors and peers. I would like to take
this knowledge and apply this to my current job so I can
reach more students.
I have been able to keep up with current trends in higher
education through this program. I still challenge myself to
4 7
read higher education publications weekly to stay on top of
current news.
I use data learned through this program in my job daily. Most
3 8 all of my papers have had to do with my current career field
and learning more about admissions practices.
This program has been nothing but professional. We are able
to have professional conversations while improving our
6 9 knowledge. We then take what we learn in the classroom and
apply it to our current jobs. This is something I will continue
to do with every job I obtain.
1. Critical reading proficiencies (especially analysis of research and scholarly journal articles) to deal effectively with
theoretical, empirical, and policy material in higher education.

As an artifact for this learning outcome, I have included my final paper written in HIED 560. This paper focused on the laws in
place surrounding affirmative action in college admissions. I conducted a large amount of research on laws and current events
in higher education.

2. Critical writing proficiencies to analyze problems of practice, draw upon and apply concepts studied, and synthesize
ideas into relevant and useful conclusions.

For this artifact, I have included my final strategic planning assignment from my HIED 810 class. In this assignment, I had to
defend decisions I made about a university budget. I had to analyze the problems the university was having and apply concepts
learned in 810 to fix those issues and come to a conclusion that I could defend with data.

3. Critical thinking skills that require suspended judgment and the application of relevant theory to varied areas of
practice, both in written material and oral communications.

The artifact I will use for this learning goal is also part of my 560 paper but is the final presentation I completed on the topic.
For the final presentation, I created a clear infographic on affirmative action and an oral presentation to go along with the visual
representation.

4. Becoming a responsible, proactive, reflective, life-long learner.

I have included an interview I did during HIED 801. In this interview, I was able to choose a higher education professional
whom I strive to emulate and someone who is a mentor to me. This interview allowed me to learn more about higher education
but also about the career path I want to follow. I was able to reflect on myself and my preparation for this field as well as learn
how to improve my understanding and skills.

5. Ability to collaborate with others, solve problems, make decisions and engage in reflective practice.

For this outcome, I have used my institutional budget assignment for HIED 810. For this assignment, I had to make critical
decisions about a university budget and defend those decisions through logical reasoning. As a class we communicated our
decisions and had constructive conversations about our choices.
6. Understanding of purpose, audience, and context for written communication and oral presentations.

As part of HIED 490 we were tasked with a group project on the topic of our choice. This project required a written portion as
well as an online presentation with a visual and oral component. As a team we worked to make the slides appealing and the
information relevant to our audience. Our topic included information about online education which all of our audience
members could relate to.

7. Use information and communication technologies.

As an online degree program we use information and communication technologies daily. We are always communicating over
the internet and we gather most of our research information from online journals, articles, or research databases. Everything I
have done in this program falls under this learning outcome.

8. Draw upon key theories, concepts and research findings to assess current issues and challenges facing higher education.

I have included a paper I wrote in HIED 552 that focused on leadership in higher education. This paper took a current event in
higher ED and analyzed the issues with leadership. I researched the incident and gave insight as to how the university could
have better remedied the situation.

9. Collect and analyze data to improve practice in particular administrative areas of higher education.

I have included my prediction plan submitted during my HIED 801 course. This assignment required me to collect data on
admissions statistics at the University of Missouri and use that data to make predictions for future enrollment classes. I used
what I learned in the course to modify enrollment practices and increase enrollment numbers for the following years.

10. Clarify values and apply the standards of professional and ethical practice as a future leader in this field.

I have included my advising philosophy as an artifact of this outcome. My philosophy outlines the importance of
professionalism in my career but also how to engage effectively with students. I want to be the driving force behind students
that challenges them to excel.