Student Assessment
USAO is an institution whose primary concern is for excellence in teaching and thus is committed to improving the quality of the learning process. To achieve this goal, USAO has a student assessment program designed to measure student progress throughout the undergraduate academic experience.
Upon entry as freshmen, students are assessed to provide a baseline of academic skills and college success factors and are counseled concerning their strengths and weaknesses. During the senior year, students are again evaluated for basic skills attainment, as compared to the baseline measures. As graduating seniors, students are assessed in their major field and in general education competencies gained from completion of the IDS core curriculum.
The assessment tests provide feedback to the university about the quality of its academic programs and provide students with an evaluation of their progress within the undergraduate curriculum. Combinations of standardized and local assessments are used at USAO. Completion of all required assessments is mandatory for graduation.
In addition, if an entering student subject score on the ACT admissions test is below 19, the student will be required to complete placement tests to determine if he or she is ready for college-level studies in those subject areas (refer to General Admission Policies, paragraph 1 Curricular Deficiencies).