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Introduction
Much attention has been given to "outcome assessment". In case
of the Civil Engineering (CE) program, the major objective is the evaluation
of the "product" (i.e., CE graduates) with respect to several
factors. This exercise should answer such questions as: Have the students
been prepared by our educational process for what they are to do? Did
their education have any measurable improvements in their capabilities?
and Is the school really doing what it claims?
Civil engineering programs have actually been forced into examining outcomes
assessment and adapting procedures that fit that mold. After examination
by the US Department of Education, the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation
(COPA) mandated that accrediting agencies should utilize this concept
in evaluating their programs. Consequently, the Accrediting Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET), among others, implemented requirements
that accredited programs utilize outcome assessment methods. The regional
accrediting organizations for universities and other schools utilize
it as well.
Outcomes
Assessment Model
In fall of 1999, a committee was formed by the Dean of the College of
Engineering (COE) at Southern University, and a college-wide assessment
coordinator was named to chair the committee. This committee was charged
with the task of studying a comprehensive outcomes assessment program
for the CoE. In light of the discussions made by many accrediting agencies,
including ABET, regarding the requirement for an outcomes assessment
program, the college presented the preliminary results of its program
to the Engineering Council of Visitors (ECoV) in the Spring of 2001.
The program was reviewed and subsequently approved by the ECoV. Consequently,
each program in the CoE was directed to adopt the overall outcomes assessment
approach and tailored it according to their mission.
This booklet introduces an outcomes assessment model utilizing the ABET
requirements for Civil engineering programs. The implementation procedures
are outlined in the College of Engineering Outcomes Assessment Handbook.
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