The mission of NorthWest Arkansas Community College is to empower lives, inspire learning and strengthen community, through accessible, affordable, quality education. Our vision is that the education we provide would positively change the lives of the college’s many stakeholders - students, taxpayers, community members, businesses and industry, etc.
The college has established learning outcomes that align with the college’s mission and vision. These outcomes describe the general knowledge, skills, and perspectives students should acquire in earning an associate degree.
Transfer
Some of the college’s degree programs are designed for students who want to transfer to a college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students gain broad integrative knowledge of the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences as a foundation for success at the transfer institution.
Career
Associate of Applied Science degrees and related credentials educate students for specific careers. Students gain specialized knowledge in a field of study to prepare to enter, update skills or advance in their profession.
General Education
Regardless if the degree is oriented toward transfer or career, all students earning an associate’s degree will gain general knowledge, skills and perspectives to aid the pursuit of life-long learning. NWACC faculty have identified eight general education outcomes that communicate what students will gain from any NWACC associate degree. While some courses focus on a single outcome, these skills will be developed primarily across the curriculum. The college assesses student achievement of these outcomes with measures that are embedded in courses or co-curricular activities.
Students Develop Higher Order Thinking Skills
Higher education goes beyond memorization and basic comprehension. Students must be able to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate what they learn. While most first and second year college courses lay a foundation of basic knowledge of the subject matter, students will also be challenged to use their intellect, to think critically, to solve problems and/or to wrestle with complex issues. Assessment measures are embedded in PSYC 2003 , BIOL 1544 , and ECON 2013 .
Students Gain Greater Awareness of Cultural Perspectives
One of the traditional goals of a college education is to expand students’ understanding of the world by presenting them with diverse ideas and attitudes. In America’s pluralistic society, awareness of cultural perspectives is essential. An important element of this understanding is recognition of one’s own culture and the impact it has on one’s perspective. Across the curriculum, students will be exposed to different cultural perspectives to enhance their ability to understand and interact with others. Assessment measures are embedded in MUSI 1003 , PLSC 2003 , ECON 2023 , and ACCT 2023 .
Students Can Write Clear, Coherent, Well-Organized Documents, Which are Substantially Free of Errors
Assessment measures are embedded in ENGL 1023 , ECON 2023 , and ACCT 2023 .
Students Can Read Selections at the College Level
Students can describe the main ideas and supporting ideas in their reading. Students can evaluate written materials objectively. Assessment measures are embedded in ENGL 2213 , HIST 2003 , and HIST 1033 .
Students Develop Effective Oral Communication Skills
A college graduate should be able to speak effectively. Most NWACC students will develop public speaking skills to inform and persuade others. Some professional program students will focus on interpersonal communication skills essential in performing job-related duties. All students should have opportunities to improve their oral communication skills across the curriculum through class presentations and small group activities. Assessment measures are embedded in COMM 1303 and OSIM 1103 .
Students Can Achieve Mathematical Literacy
College graduates should be able to understand and use numerical relationships and basic analysis of data in their roles as consumers, citizens, scholars, and professionals. Graduates should possess the computational, algebraic and quantitative skills necessary to solve problems and evaluate complex situations. Assessment measures are embedded in MATH 1203 , MATH 1003 , ECON 2023 , ACCT 2023 and CHEM 1104 .
Students Will Demonstrate Technological Fluency
Students need to be able to use technology resources efficiently in a rapidly evolving digital society to learn, work, and thrive. To be fluent in technology means having the confidence and competency to move fluidly among digital environments and incorporate emerging technologies. Technology resources would include digital technology, productivity software, technology-mediated collaboration tools, and discipline-specific applications, as well as those commonly used across disciplines. This outcome encompasses these technological competencies:
- Design, develop, present, and publish products using digital technology.
- Create, identify, save and retrieve data/information using digital a content management system(s).
- Employ technology resources to collect and analyze data, guide decision-making, and solve problems.
- Recognize responsible digital citizenship by using technology ethically, legally, and securely.
- Use technology to communicate effectively across multiple channels.
Students Demonstrate Information Literacy
Information Literacy is a process involving complex skills. Students must be able to: develop and refine their research question, create a research plan, identify information sources relevant to their needs, search those sources effectively, critically evaluate what they find, share their findings ethically, and synthesize their information appropriately for their audience. Assessment measures are embedded in ENGL 1023 , BIOL 2214 and BIOL 2224 .
Special Programs
NWACC offers specialized curricular and co-curricular programs that offer enhanced learning opportunities. These programs contribute to the general education outcomes, but students who participate in these programs will acquire additional knowledge, skills and perspectives that can greatly add to their success. These programs and activities can positively influence the social, emotional, intellectual, and inter-personal development of students. While each program has its own specific learning outcomes, these outcomes fall under three domains: leadership & teamwork, service & social responsibility, and integrative & applied learning. Not all students take advantage of these special programs, so we don’t assume all NWACC graduates will grow as significantly in these domains. These learning outcomes are considered important, but elective.
Leadership & Teamwork
Students demonstrate the ability to negotiate, manage conflict, communicate, and lead others as they work in teams, collaborate and solve problems. Leadership programs, the student newspaper, student clubs and organizations are examples of programs that contribute to this domain.
Service & Social Responsibility
Students acquire knowledge and demonstrate their ability to address significant public problems and questions. Their learning is focused on addressing community needs and improving public welfare. Students gain a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity and civic engagement. Service learning projects, student group community service initiatives, and study aboard are examples of activities that contribute to this domain.
Integrative & Applied Learning
Students demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply their learning to new settings and complex problems. Research projects, practicums, internships, performances, and creative tasks contribute to this domain. All AAS degrees include applied learning experience for students.
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