UNIVERSITY CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT
Randy Brooks (English), Jodi Kupper (Education), and Debbie Slayton (Nursing)

Start Date: October 2002 • Completed: April 2003
This project assessed eight of the nine University Capstone (UCap) seminars offered during the Fall 2002 semester. The goal of the project was to assess how well the UCap course addresses the "common threads" of the Millikin Program of Student Learning (MPSL): Student Learning Goals; Core Questions, Values, and Means; and Proficiencies. The survey compared the effectiveness of the Capstone course with two courses taken in each respondent's major field of study.

The project's conclusions are summarized as follows:

1. Ucap & courses in majors both emphasize writing, oral presentations and group work and share a commitment to professional excellence for students.
2. Courses in majors emphasize use of primary texts, critical thinking skills, synthesis of theory and practice, working with models and using technology.
3. Ucap addresses goals not dealt with in the major courses. Ucap directly deals with connections and synthesis of the personal and professional—Millikin’s core questions, ethics, moral dilemmas, service, respect for difference, and personal integrity
4. Ucap (through its multidisciplinary team projects) also provides opportunities for students to take initiative and demonstrate leadership

For more information, see the following documents or contact any of the project team members listed above.

1. Survey Results (PDF; includes compiled data for UCap and major courses)
2. Data Analysis (PDF; includes summary of findings and conclusions)
3. Project Report (PDF; comprehensive analysis of data and conclusions)