As an Assessment Office, we administer several different surveys and knowledge and skills assessments to students and other student-oriented groups on a periodic basis.
These instruments are used to gather information pertaining to overall student satisfaction with the university and university programs, satisfaction with our graduates as deemed by external stakeholders, student engagement with different aspects of student education and activities, in addition to critical thinking and general knowledge within the major.
While these different tests and surveys help to satisfy performance funding and other requirements, the data also provides helpful insight into student experiences at UT and beyond.
In line with the NSSE and BCSSE surveys, the Alumni Survey asks similar questions of our graduates who are 2 years past their degrees. Thus, with these three surveys working in concert, we can get a snapshot of what students expect before entering college, what their experiences are like during their time at UT, and a reflection of experiences post-graduation.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is a survey of first year students and seniors examining what students say they do, as well as what they perceive their institutions emphasize in the area of student engagement.
A revised version of the survey was introduced in 2013. An analysis of UT’s 2014 results can be downloaded here. This report includes the responses from first year and senior students from the 2014 administration of the revised NSSE instrument. Comparative data for the 2014 survey and data from our previous participation in NSSE (from 2001 – 2011) are available by contacting oira@utk.edu.
A companion survey, the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE), asks incoming freshmen about experiences they had in high school that prepare them for higher education, as well as what their expectations are for their first year in college.
The purpose of this program is to gauge if students from the University of Tennessee are equipped with the basic skills necessary to make them fully participating citizens in Tennessee and the world.
At the University of Tennessee, the California Critical Thinking Skills Tests (CCTST) is the chosen measure for this portion of performance funding. Results from the CCTST are also used for programmatic assessment.
Testing Deadlines
In order to allow time for processing and packing test materials, registration should be completed at least 2 weeks prior to desired test administration date.
Fall 2017 Deadlines
Registration: November 10th, 2017
Administration: November 17th, 2017
Spring 2018 Deadlines
Registration: March 30th, 2018
Administration: April 27th, 2018
CCTST Information
Test Registration and Administration
Tracking Chart
Annual Reports
Major Field Assessment, as it relates to THEC Performance Funding, is designed to provide incentives for institutions to improve the quality of major field programs as evaluated by the performance of graduates on approved assessments.
While all departments must be accounted for, the type of assessment used is left up to the discretion of the department. Departments may use any number of available standardized instruments or may choose to develop an assessment on their own. These instruments may also be used for annual programmatic assessment.
The Major Field Assessment (MFA) Handbook
For general information on major field assessment, specific answers to questions on the process and calendar, workflow charts for the different stages of assessment, and necessary planning forms.
The Major Field Assessment Handbook
View Major Field Assessment Reporting Schedule