MBA | Assessment of Learning

Program Learning Goals & Objectives

Program Goal #1 – Application of leading-edge business processes and tools:  Graduates will understand and be able to apply contemporary business processes and tools and processes appropriate to the situation.  These tools and processes will change over time.     

  1. Select and justify contemporary business tools and/or processes appropriate to a given situation.
  2. Apply appropriate contemporary business tools and/or processes to help resolve a business situation, alleviate a business problem, or improve a business.

Program Goal #2 – Applied focus:  Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply theory to practice by engaging in activities such as working on projects, doing consulting, running companies in a simulation, analyzing cases, etc.    

  1. Demonstrate ability to analyze business problems in a real or simulated business situation.
  2. Articulate solutions to business problems in a real or simulated business situation.

Program Goal #3 – Integrative and flexible thinking and decision-making:  Graduates will propose solutions to business problems by taking an integrative perspective, developing an understanding of stakeholder requirements and perspectives, and applying appropriate frameworks, such as design thinking, to analyze the relevant information and develop solutions.   

  1. Demonstrate the ability to articulate and analyze the interests of and obligations to multiple stakeholders in a given situation.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to use an appropriate approach, such as design thinking, to analyze relevant information.
  3. Based on the above analysis, recommend a suitable course of action in a given situation.
  4. Effectively communicate the analysis and recommendations.

 Program Goal #4 – Technological innovation:  Graduates will evaluate business situation(s) and propose recommendations for the management of technological resources to create business innovation(s) to create or sustain a competitive advantage.   

  1. Evaluate the technological aspects of a business situation and identify sources of competitive advantage related to those aspects.
  2. Develop one or more recommendations for the management of technological innovation to address a specific business problem or opportunity.
  3. Apply appropriate ethical reasoning frameworks to new problems and opportunities created by new technologies or their applications.  Present an ethical argument for or against a specific use of new technology in a business setting.

Outcomes Data

We have compiled data to assess competency objectives through our MBA program courses, These course serves as a comprehensive tool for evaluating progress toward our key objectives and AACSB accreditation standards, as it is a mandatory requirement for all undergraduate students. We have outlined various assessment methods across different areas of the course, which allow us to collect data and measure performance against established benchmarks.

Program outcomes data can be found here: MBA Program Outcomes Data

Closing the Loop & Continuous Improvement

When program objective assessments are submitted, the submission form includes a section for a "closing the loop" discussion. This allows for reflection on potential adjustments that could be made to enhance the ongoing improvement of the MBA program. These discussions, along with other efforts, have highlighted areas where changes could be implemented.

Student performance

  • Conversations with alumni with 10-15 years of experience in their fields were held with the following recommendations: 1) enhance the tech expectations of students 2) recruit students with technical background and focus on developing their leadership and management skills.  This led to the creation of a STEM-based program as well as an additional recruiting emphasis to attract students with technology-based degrees.

Potential changes to assessment methods

  • Revised Program Goals - All program goals and objectives were updated to reflect a quantitative focus, including skills in analytical tools and process design thinking.
  • Ethical Decision-Making - A new objective in ethical decision-making was introduced under Goal 4. Initial assessment results in 2024 showed all students met or exceeded the benchmark.
  • Instructional Revision and Augmentation- Assessment of Program Goal 4: Technological Innovation resulted in an analysis that noted a significant difference in student performance between students with strategy in their educational backgrounds and students without this competency. In order to address this gap, the instructor added a significant review component to the course, which would introduce or reinforce basic strategic concepts.