Learning Outcomes
Equipping Students to Make an Eternal Impact in Life, Ministry, & Beyond
Grace Christian University follows a three-year cycle of assessment of four measurable Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO) and numerous Program Learning Outcomes (PLO). The results of this assessment are reported here as student outcomes. All Program Learning Outcomes are listed below. Assessment data is included for the most recent assessment activity.
Institutional Outcomes Assessment: Note that some assessments double as Institutional Outcomes Assessments and Program Learning Assessments.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
Learn
Cultivate Bible-centered wisdom in every area of academic learning and professional skill.
Grow
Reflect the love of God and Christian character through transformational relationships.
Serve
Engage in Christ-centered service in church, career, and community.
Program Learning Outcomes & Assessment
| Program | PLO | ILO |
| Associate of Arts | Apply knowledge acquisition, communication, cultural intelligence, and critical thinking skills to expand self-efficacy and achieve college-level academic study | Learn |
| Integrate a biblical worldview into life and learning | Grow | |
| Arts and Science Core | Human Understanding – the ability to comprehend humanity’s social, emotional, historical, ethical, cultural, and physical development through a biblical perspective. | Learn |
| Self Understanding – the ability to effectively locate, critically analyze, and creatively apply knowledge and beliefs for personal and professional development. | Grow | |
| Relational Understanding – the ability to articulate knowledge and beliefs through strategic oral, written, and culturally relevant forms of communication to interact in diverse situations. | Serve | |
| Bible and Theology Core / Christian Studies Major |
Analyze biblical texts based on recognized principles of biblical interpretation, in order to handle the word of God accurately (2 Tim. 2:15). | Learn |
| Demonstrate spiritual growth and maturity through service and the practice of spiritual disciplines. | Serve | |
| Associate of Arts | Apply knowledge acquisition, communication, cultural intelligence, and critical thinking skills to expand self-efficacy and achieve college-level academic study | Learn |
| Integrate a biblical worldview into life and learning | Grow | |
| BS Biblical Studies | Interpret the biblical text in its original languages and historical, cultural, and narrative context, using established principles and tools of exegesis and hermeneutics. | Learn |
| BS Business | Business as Mission – Demonstrate a firm understanding of the Christian call to business as ministry-based on references to scripture. | Grow |
| Business Analytics – Students will be able to make data-driven business recommendations utilizing comprehensive research skills. | Learn | |
| Creative Strategy Formulation – Students are able to apply critical thinking theory to create strategic initiatives for business growth and sustainability in various market segments. | Serve | |
| BS Communication | Articulate and apply a Christian perspective of communication | Learn |
| Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context | Serve | |
| Critically analyze messages | Grow | |
| BS Criminal Justice | Develop a deep understanding of ethical considerations, social and economic inequalities, cultural intelligence, and issues of diversity and human rights in relation to the criminal justice system. | |
| Apply theoretical frameworks and problem-solving methods to analyze and address criminal justice issues while considering multiple perspectives and the consequences of crime to society. | ||
| BS Human Services | Develop a personal philosophy of human helping that emphasizes ethical decision-making, respect for diversity, cultural intelligence (CQ), and the recognition of social and psychological dimensions of human interactions. | Learn |
| Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate helping relationships in various settings to support growth and potential. | Serve | |
| BS Interdisciplinary Studies | Integrate and appreciate ideas from multiple areas of study. | Learn |
| Create biblical perspectives through the synthesis of two or more areas of study. | Grow | |
| Apply knowledge, skills, and ideas from areas of study to contemporary challenges. | Serve | |
| BS Leadership and Ministry | Construct a comprehensive personal philosophy for ministry that is consistent with Scripture and proven leadership principles. | Learn |
| Apply practical principles and strategies for effective ministry practice in a team environment. | Serve | |
| BS Psychology | Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research to analyze and solve various behavior problems while demonstrating scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills. | Learn |
| Develop effective communication skills, including culturally intelligent (CQ) and ethical behavior, to effectively convey ideas in writing and oral, and interpersonal interactions to promote human growth and development. | Serve | |
| BS Sports Communication and Management | Effectively apply communication principles and messaging for sports industry platforms. | Learn |
| Demonstrate management ability to organize, operate, and promote sports facilities and events. | Grow | |
| Develop a philosophy to use best practices and sound policy in the sports industry from a Christian perspective. | Serve | |
| MA Higher Education Leadership | Demonstrate biblically cultural intelligent leadership. | Grow |
| Evaluate historical and current trends in higher education. | Learn | |
| Apply learning theory and teaching strategies to curriculum design and assessment. | Serve | |
| MA Ministry | Biblical Engagement – Graduates will be able to evaluate, apply, and communicate effectively biblical and theological principles. | Learn |
| Cultural Engagement – Graduates will be able to construct practical, biblically-based responses to contemporary trends in theology, church, and culture. | Grow | |
| Ministry Engagement – Graduates will be able to compassionately employ practices of ministry leadership that will promote the spiritual and emotional well-being of others. | Serve | |
| MA Organizational Leadership | Demonstrate biblically cultural intelligent leadership. | Grow |
| Demonstrate theory-based Christian leadership practice characterized by building personal leadership competency and organizational capacity. | Serve | |
| Develop an innovative strategic plan focused on solving an identified organizational need. | Serve | |
| Master of Business Administration | Create unique, culturally intelligent strategies to use business as a tool for sharing the gospel with stakeholders. | Grow |
| Demonstrate the ability to formulate a comprehensive, strategic plan for organizational change grounded in creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. | Grow | |
| Construct multi-faceted, holistic, employee development initiatives using various leadership theories to motivate and develop the capacity and talent of employees within an organization. | Serve |
2019-20 Student Affairs Assessment
| ILO | Student Pop. | Outcome Target | Outcome Results | Action Plan if Needed | Timing of Reassessment |
| Knowing | Students in Leadership Roles | Pre-test/post-test |
1. Students scored themselves lower pre-year and post-year on “Y3: When something seems like it might be difficult, I try it even though I might not succeed.” There is an opportunity to build opportunities for students to pursue meaningful challenges. 2. The questions on which the highest number of students experienced growth were “Who I am in public matches who I am in private” and “I am intentional about sharing my faith with others.” More students appear to be experiencing growth in these areas than any other. 3. The “O” scores (“Others are impacted”) showed the lowest growth, and one O question had the highest number of students who demonstrated a lower self-assessment: “I am able to speak the truth in love to others, even when it’s difficult.” |
Several things can be taken away from the data in this survey, but the three identified results can be used to shape teachings for 2020/2021: | The reassessment could not be carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Spring 2021
The student affairs department seeks to create chapel programming with maximum student engagement and impact, and hopes to complete chapel programming for the 2021-2022 school year with minimal disruption from COVID-19 precautions. On May 18, 2021, the Student Affairs team completed an assessment with several students to gauge their satisfaction and consider adjustments to chapel programming to increase engagement in the coming year. The instrument used in this assessment is attached, as well as data from their responses. Eleven students participated in an in-person discussion after filling out a brief survey. They were asked to share two highlights of responses they felt most strongly about.
Themes and corresponding responses/actions:
- Students appear to widely agree that they want a reduced chapel attendance requirement.
- In response, student affairs will look for opportunities to give students more choice in their attendance to allow them to skip some daily chapels. The student affairs team will increase chapel attendance opportunities to include more lunchtime, afternoon, or evening chapel attendance opportunities. The student affairs team will ask student government and other student groups to meet a set quota each semester to increase these opportunities. The student affairs team is unlikely to significantly reduce the number of scans required for each student.
- Multiple students gave suggestions for improvements in chapel programming that could increase their engagement and interest. These included more engaging speakers who are less likely to lecture. The “lecture” approach to chapel teaching may not appeal to some students because many spend the morning sessions before and after chapel in class. Students also requested to hear more preaching and testimonies from peers, as well as more testimonies from staff.
- In response, student affairs will find increased opportunities for staff to share their testimonies. Additionally, communication with prospective speakers will be adjusted to discourage them from lecturing, but to seek ways to be more engaging. Additionally, Wednesday chapel formatting will be adjusted to emphasize student involvement through prayer, action, service, conversation, and others. Student affairs will continue to evaluate options for Wednesday chapel programming.
- Some students requested more involvement in the decision-making process for chapel.
- In response, student affairs will facilitate the creation of a student chapel team, empowering them to make decisions about formatting for Wednesday chapels and other chapel experiences.
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