Direct assessment methods require students to demonstrate knowledge and skills and provide data that directly measure achievement of expected outcomes. Examples:

•Capstone or Senior-Level projects, papers, presentations, performances, portfolios, or research evaluated by faculty or external review teams. These are effective as assessment tools when the student work is evaluated in a standard manner that focuses on student achievement of program-level outcomes. Click here for information on how to use 'Primary Trait Analysis' to evaluate student work for program-level assessment.

•Exams - locally developed comprehensive exams or entry-to-program exams, national standardized exams, certification or licensure exams, or professional exams

•Internship or Practicum - evaluations of student knowledge and skills from internship supervisors, faculty overseers, or from student participants themselves. This may include written evaluations from supervisors focused on specific knowledge or skills or evaluation of student final reports or presentations from internship experiences.

•Portfolios - reviewed by faculty members from the program, faculty members from outside the program, professionals, visiting scholars, or industrial boards.

•Professional Jurors or Evaluators - assessment of student projects, papers, portfolios, exhibits, performances, or recitals

•Course-embedded assessments - projects, assignments, or exam questions that directly link to program-level expected learning outcomes and are scored using established criteria.