CURRICULUM MAPS Midwestern State University Office of Institutional

CURRICULUM MAPS Midwestern State University Office of Institutional Effectiveness Hardin Administration, 207

WHAT IS A CURRICULUM MAP? A curriculum map is “a simple chart identifying the key learning goals addressed in each of the curriculum’s key elements or learning activities. A curriculum map for an academic program identifies the program learning goals addressed in each program requirement. A curriculum map for a course identifies the course learning goals addressed in each learning experience and assessment” (Suskie, 2019).

WHAT IS A CURRICULUM MAP? A curriculum map IS NOT… A curriculum map IS… Just a list of courses required for a program A tool that lists the courses required for a program that are categorized by what students need to know A degree plan A tool that lists the courses that directly relate to the purpose of the program An item developed just to check off a requirement A tool that is continuously utilized for reflection and guidance A list that includes electives A tool that helps guide the assessment process for a specific program A list of courses that faculty want to teach A list of courses that reflect student demand what they need to learn

SACSCOC & CURRICULUM MAPS Section 9. 1 of the Resource Manual for The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement written by SACSCOC states that… “Coherence is a critical component of a program and should demonstrate an appropriate sequencing of courses, not a mere bundling of credits, so that student learning is progressively more advanced in terms of assignments and scholarship required and demonstrates progressive advancement in a field of study that allows students to integrate knowledge and grow in critical skills. ”

CURRICULUM MAP COMPONENTS • Table using Excel or Word • Program Name • Date Last Revised • Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) • Course Name & Number • Labels (I, D, M, A) I= Introduced D= Developed/ Reinforced M= Mastered A= Assessment Evidence Collected

CURRICULUM MAPS & ASSESSMENT The map helps to establish a framework for accountability, growth, and reflection. Once the map is made, you can identify what you want your students to know. Through this process of identification, the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) are then developed. These outcomes ultimately drive the assessment process.

CURRICULUM MAPS & ASSESSMENT Once the SLO’s are developed, then the measures can be determined for how the outcomes will be assessed. The curriculum map can help establish these measures as well by identifying the W’s: - Who: - What: - When: - Where: Who is the population being measured? What tool will be used to measure? When will this measure be done? Where will this measure be done?

CURRICULUM MAP EXAMPLE

RESOURCES • SACSCOC (2018). Resource manual for the principles of accreditation: Foundations for quality enhancement (3 rd ed. ). Decatur, GA. • Suskie, L. (2019, February 23). Why are we doing curriculum maps? [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https: //www. lindasuskie. com/apps/blog/ show/46409138 -why-are-we-doing-curriculummaps-

QUESTIONS? Contact: Dr. Eboneigh Harris, Director of Planning and Assessment Hardin Administration, 207 B eboneigh. harris@msutexas. edu x 4567 Stephanie Mescher, Assessment Specialist Hardin Administration, 207 stephanie. mescher@msutexas. edu x 4342