In fall of 2009, Provost Gail Hackett appointed a General Education Advisory Task Force made up of representatives from each academic unit to develop a strategy for the creation and implementation of a “new” UMKC general education program that is tied to our mission, focuses on student success and student retention, and includes a premier student learning assessment component with an ongoing review and revision cycle. 

Some of the goals of general education revision at UMKC are to: 

• increase student engagement with our unique university mission, potentially increasing student retention and persistence,
• provide an opportunity to define the student learning outcomes for general education and the mechanisms to assess the achievement of the outcomes so that continuous improvements can be made,
• facilitate transfer from other higher education institutions and between academic units within UMKC, and
• ensure alignment with state and national guidelines for general education.

 

The General Education Advisory Task Force developed a plan for the process of general education revision at UMKC, which included formation of a General Education Oversight Committee (GEOC).  This committee’s first charge was to develop a set of measureable student learning outcomes for general education at UMKC. In spring 2011, the UMKC faculty approved a set of learning outcomes outlined below (the complete text of the approved Student Learning Outcomes is included below):

• Communication Skills
• Technology and Information Literacy
• Scientific Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis
• Arts and Humanities
• Interdisciplinary and Innovative Thinking
• Culture and Diversity
• Human Values and Ethical Reasoning
• Civic and Community Engagement

Next Steps

Currently, members of the GEOC are visiting the academic units to seek support for a two-tiered model for general education at UMKC. The first tier of this model includes a roughly 30-credit hour core curriculum for all undergraduate programs at UMKC that is based on the approved student learning outcomes and would be assessed at the university level. The second tier of the model consists of unit-specific general education requirements that would be assessed at the unit level. The GEOC, in consultation with faculty from across all units, will develop a coursework model for its 30-credit hour core curriculum, which will be submitted to the faculty for approval.

After the curriculum model is approved, the GEOC will develop the process for submitting existing and new coursework for review and inclusion in the general education curriculum. In addition, the GEOC will ensure that the courses have identified appropriate assessments to determine whether relevant student learning outcomes have been achieved.

Ultimately, the GEOC will work with the UMKC Faculty Senate to develop plans for transferring these responsibilities to the Faculty Senate. The academic units will work on developing additional courses or other learning experiences to be included in the general education requirements for students in their academic units. These additional requirements will be reviewed, approved, and assessed by the individual academic units.

UMKC Undergraduate General Education Student Learning Outcomes (approved by vote of the UMKC faculty, spring 2011)

The General Education Program at UMKC is designed to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their capacity for intellectual inquiry and discovery, critical reasoning, and effective communication. These abilities are essential to assisting all students to become life-long learners and providing them with the opportunity to be successful in their chosen fields. The following Student Learning Outcomes provide the foundation for this program and the fulfillment of the University mission. Upon completion of the program of general education, students will show evidence of learning in the following areas:

Communication Skills

Students will develop effective written, oral, and visual/spatial communication competencies with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences. They will develop their capacity to interpret information presented in a variety of formats. They will be able to evaluate the context of their message and use proper form and style to engage audiences using a variety of media. They will demonstrate their critical engagement with audiences through reading, listening, reflecting, and responding.

Technology and Information Literacy

Students will demonstrate effective use of research resources and can incorporate the information obtained into their academic and creative endeavors. They will demonstrate their ability to locate, evaluate, organize and use research material from a broad range of sources. Students will be able to format and document source material in properly constructed papers, presentations, and a variety of visual formats.

Scientific Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis

Students will apply principles and methods of science, math, statistics, and logic to solve problems and draw logical inferences. They will develop a level of quantitative literacy that enables them to comprehend and evaluate information in a broad range of contexts. Students will understand methods and principles of scientific discovery and their application to all areas of learning including the natural and social sciences.Students will develop an understanding of the human condition by exploring the variety of creative works and methods in the humanities as well as the visual and performing arts. They will be able to explain the historical, cultural and social contexts of the humanities and fine arts. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the connections between the humanities and other areas of intellectual inquiry.

Arts and Humanities

Students will develop an understanding of the human condition by exploring the variety of creative works and methods in the humanities as well as the visual and performing arts. They will be able to explain the historical, cultural and social contexts of the humanities and fine arts. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the connections between the humanities and other areas of intellectual inquiry.

Interdisciplinary and Innovative Thinking

Students will demonstrate the ability to contextualize information and use the proper methods and theories as modes of understanding. Focusing on specific problems and issues, students will demonstrate the ability to consider new modes of analysis drawn from a range of fields. Students will be able to see and understand how thinking beyond disciplinary boundaries leads to innovation in all fields.

Culture and Diversity

Students will draw on a variety of disciplines to develop an understanding of the complexities of human cultures, past and present, and come to an informed sense of self and others. Students will demonstrate an awareness of a global culture that may include economic, environmental, political and social issues facing all cultures. They will develop an understanding of the factors defining cultural identities.

Human Values and Ethical Reasoning

Students will understand principles of value and civic duty in a wide range of settings, and will demonstrate an understanding of personal values and the values of others. Students will also be able to identify ethical problems utilizing their understanding of ethical theory and moral reasoning.

Civic and Community Engagement

Students will be able to identify the problems, challenges, and opportunities of an urban university. Students will also understand their relationship to both a local and global community and the social, political, and cultural issues therein. They will develop an appreciation for the meaning and global impact of urbanization. They will have an understanding of the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions and their impact on issues facing these various communities. They will engage with the UMKC community of learners.