At the institutional-level, CMU has established student learning outcomes by the level of degree to be awarded. The institutional learning outcomes were written based on the Lumina Foundation's Degree Qualification Profile list of outcomes for basic areas of learning in graduate, baccalaureate, and associate degree programs. Initially, four of the outcomes were selected to assess (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning; and the Intellectual Skills of Communication Fluency, Quantitative Fluency, and Critical Thinking), however, more outcomes may be added in the future. The technical certificate outcomes were written by faculty at Western Colorado Community College to align with the three degree categories.
In addition to the institutional student learning outcomes listed below, program-specific student learning outcomes are included on the program sheet for each program.
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes
The CMU doctoral degree graduate will be able to:
- Advance science, education, leadership, practice, or policy within a chosen discipline by completing an original research project approved by the student’s Graduate Committee (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning);
- Employ discipline-specific logical, mathematical, or statistical methods, or other analytical processes to address a topic or issue (Quantitative Fluency);
- Create oral and written arguments or explanations, well-grounded in discipline specific theories and methods, for specified audiences (Communication Fluency);
- Formulate and evaluate hypotheses as related to research problems, issues, concepts, and various perspectives (Critical Thinking);
- Synthesize, evaluate, or refine the information base of various scholarly sources (Information Literacy); and
- Choose ethical and legal courses of action in research and professional practice (Ethical Reasoning).
The CMU master's degree graduate will be able to:
- Contribute to scholarly advancement in the chosen field by completing projects individually and collaboratively (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning);
- Employ discipline-specific logical, mathematical, statistical methods, or other analytical processes to address a topic or issue (Quantitative Fluency);
- Create oral and written arguments or explanations, well-grounded in discipline specific theories and methods, for specified audiences (Communication Fluency);
- Formulate and evaluate hypotheses as related to research problems, issues, concepts, and various perspectives (Critical Thinking);
- Synthesize, evaluate, or refine the information base of various scholarly sources (Information Literacy); and
- Articulate moral, ethical, legal, or professional challenges within the discipline (Ethical Reasoning).
The CMU baccalaureate degree graduate will be able to:
- Construct a summative project, paper or practiced-based performance that draws on current research, scholarship and/or techniques, and specialized knowledge in the discipline (specialized knowledge/applied learning);
- Analyze data critically, reason logically, and apply quantitative analysis methods correctly to develop appropriate conclusions (quantitative fluency);
- Make and defend assertions about a specialized topic in an extended well-organized document and an oral presentation that is appropriate to the discipline (communication fluency); and
- Describe reasoned conclusions that articulate the implications and consequences for a particular decision by synthesizing information and methodologies (critical thinking);
- Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civic, and/or environmental challenges at local, national, and/or global levels (personal and social responsibility); and
- Find relevant sources of information, evaluate information critically, and apply the information appropriately and effectively to specific purposes (information literacy).
Upon completing CMU's Essential Learning program, a student will be able to:
- Produce effective arguments and summaries in written English;
- Present information effectively in spoken English;
- Demonstrate quantitative literacy;
- Critically examine and evaluate an argument;
- Demonstrate investigative and analytical thinking skills to solve problems;
- Select and use appropriate information or techniques in an academic project; and
- Construct an academic project using techniques and methodologies from multiple disciplines.
The CMU/WCCC associate degree graduate will be able to:
- Locate, gather and organize evidence on an assigned topic addressing a course or discipline-related question or a question of practice in a work or community setting (specialized knowledge/applied learning);
- Use program-level mathematical concepts and methods to understand, analyze, and explain issues in quantitative terms (quantitative fluency);
- Make and defend claims in a well-organized, professional document and/or oral presentation that is appropriate for a specific audience (communication fluency); and
- Identify and gather the information/data relevant to the essential question, issue and/or problem and develop informed conclusions (critical thinking);
- Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civic, and/or environmental challenges at local, national, and/or global levels (personal and social responsibility); and
- Identify, utilize and cite various sources of information in academic assignments, projects or performances (information literacy).
The CMU graduate certificate graduate will be able to:
Graduate Certificates will, at a minimum, align with either two Masters Student Learning Outcomes or two Doctoral Student Learning Outcomes, depending on certificate level. Certificates may choose to use more than two Student Learning Outcomes, if desired.
The CMU professional certificate graduate will be able to:
- Construct a summative project, paper or practiced-based performance that draws on current research, scholarship and/or techniques, and specialized knowledge in the discipline (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
- Describe reasoned conclusions that articulate the implications and consequences for a particular decision by synthesizing information and methodologies (Critical Thinking)
- Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civic and/or environmental challenges at local, national, and/or global levels (Personal and Social Responsibility)
The CMU/WCCC technical certificate graduate will be able to:
- Locate, gather and organize evidence on an assigned topic addressing a course or discipline-related question or a question of practice in a work or community setting (specialized knowledge/applied learning)
- Make and defend claims in a well-organized, professional document and/or oral presentation that is appropriate for a specific audience (communication fluency)
- Identify and gather the information/data relevant to the essential question, issue and/or problem and develop informed conclusions (critical thinking)
Upon completion of the CMU Co-Curricular Program the student will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate the impact of personal responsibility in their decision-making process in the context of their life goals.
- Identify potential ethical situations, articulate ethical awareness and apply an ethical decision-making framework both personally and professionally.
- Identify, articulate and practice civility and inclusivity in a diverse world.
- Articulate, identify and practice leadership skills in the context of today’s environment.