Standards, Standards, Standards: Mapping Professional Standards for Outcomes Assessment to Assessment Practice

Abstract

To facilitate familiarity and comfort with outcomes assessment, we map three sets of student affairs professional standards to the outcomes assessment cycle. Although the standards differ in focus (i.e., individual competencies versus program characteristics), the mapping showcases the immense similarity in expectations regarding the gathering of empirical evidence of program effectiveness. We hope this mapping bolsters informal professional development, in addition to being a resource for higher education and student affairs (HESA) graduate programs.