PSLO Assessment

program student learning outcome (pSLO) 

These outcomes should explain in clear and concise terms the specific skills students should be able to demonstrate, produce, and know as a result of the entire program’s curriculum. PSLOs should be framed in terms of the program instead of specific courses that the program offers. 

Program Definition for Purposes of outcomes assessment

MiraCosta College utilizes the Title 5 §55000(g) definition which states that a “Program” is defined as a cohesive set of courses that result in a certificate or degree (ASCC, 2010).  

program definition for purposes of institution program review

MiraCosta College Institutional Program Review programs may:

  • include core courses in a specific discipline
  • refer to student service programs and administrative units.
  • be made up of “pre-collegiate or remedial courses, particularly in English or mathematics” (Bers, n.d.). This could also include such course sequences as our Allied Health track in Biology.
  • refer to special programs, such as Honors programs, Service Learning programs, and types of grant-funded programs for students (Bers, n.d.).

If your department offers a degree or certificate, you will create and assess a PSLO, enter the results into Anthology and reflect upon these results in program review. If your department does not offer a degree or certificate, you have the opportunity to reflect on the Liberal Arts PSLO assessment results in the appropriate area of emphasis as relates to your specific discipline courses in program review. Program review also provides the opportunity to reflect on course level SLOs. In summary, all departments reflect upon PSLO assessment results in program review; only departments that offer degrees and/or certificates create and assess a PSLO, and enter the results into Anthology. 

Guidance in Developing Outcomes

  • The OAC Handbook is an important reference tool; please refer to this document for more details and additional web resources (see “Assessment Cycle, step 1”)
  • A few key highlights from the handbook are listed below:
    • One to three PSLOs are required for each program.  
    • Each program should have unique outcomes.  (Note that PSLOs should be unique from the CSLOs within the discipline.)
    • Lower-division programs can and should align with professional standards for the discipline.
    • Use active operational verbs that reflect what the student will be able to do at the end of the course-See (Bloom’s Taxonomy)
    • Create outcomes that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound (SMART).
    • Please do not include the assessment method in the outcome statement.
  • To create, modify, or delete PSLOs, please utilize the corresponding forms provided on the OAC SharePoint site.

PSLO Alignment

Align the PSLOs with CSLOs within the Program or Discipline and with the Core Competencies

PSLO Example

Sample PSLOs from Various Disciplines:

  • Languages and Literature
    Students will be able to locate, apply and cite effective secondary materials in their own texts.
  • Humanities and Fine Arts
    Students will be able to critique and analyze works of art and visual objects. 
  • Physical and Biological Sciences
    Students will be able to apply techniques and instrumentation to solve problems.
  • Mathematics
    Students will be able to articulate the rules that govern a symbolic system.
  • Social Sciences
    Students will be able to evaluate theory and critique research within the discipline.
  • Business
    Students will be able to work in groups and be part of an effective team.