Co-curricular Assessment

What is co-curricular assessment?
Co-curricular assessment ensures that co-curricular and high-impact practices are valuable experiences for our students and are enhancing student learning. It provides an opportunity to improve the quality of co-curricular experiences for students. It also secures evidence that can be used for accreditation purposes and to support recognition of OU’s efforts through initiatives such as the Carnegie Community Engaged Designation.

Assessing co-curricular experiences mirrors the process used for academic assessment. It involves a multistep continuous improvement process:

• Establish learning goals appropriate to the co-curricular experience
• Provide students with learning opportunities
• Assess student learning using methods adapted for the experience
• Use the results to improve the experience

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requires that the institution engage in ongoing assessment of student learning (including co-curricular experiences) as part of its commitment to the educational outcomes of its students. HLC defines co-curricular experiences as “learning activities, programs and experiences that reinforce the institution’s mission and values and complement the formal curriculum.” Some examples include: study abroad, student-faculty research experiences, service learning, professional clubs or organizations, athletics, honor societies, career services, etc. Often co-curricular experiences are situated in the space where student’s academic experiences combine with their overall student experiences, which offers the opportunity for collaboration between academic and student affairs.

OU is hosting an in-person “Assessment 101” training in August 2026 for co-curricular program directors with industry experts on assessment from the Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS) at James Madison University. This training will establish a foundation for understanding assessment concepts and principles and “hands-on” work time to apply the principles while developing assessment plans for their own programs.

Co-curricular Assessment Plan Template Co-curricular Assessment Report Template