Purpose
To identify the courses in the curriculum where the learning outcomes are developed and take action on courses or outcomes without a match
Criteria for Alignment between Outcomes and Courses
- Each student learning outcome needs to be developed in at least one course.
- Each course needs to contribute to developing the program outcomes.
Example of a Curriculum Map Which Identifies Areas to Address
Row headings designate the program's student learning outcomes. Column headings designate courses in the program. X designates which courses develop and assess the corresponding learning outcome for the “ZZ” academic program.
The curriculum map below reveals two problems in the curriculum identified by the shaded portions of this map:
- The last learning outcome is not developed by any of the courses (an “orphan outcome”). To correct this, a course could be redesigned to include the outcome, a new course that includes the outcome could be developed, or the outcome could be eliminated from the program.
- The ZZ405 course does not develop any of the designated program learning outcomes. As stands, the course does not contribute to students reaching their program outcomes. The course could be eliminated or redesigned to develop a program outcome, or the program outcomes could be expanded to include an additional learning outcome that this course develops and assesses.