Iowa State University

Higher Learning Commission Accreditation

Academic Profile - Learning and Teaching Objectives

Graduate study involves higher expectations and greater focus than is expected at the undergraduate level, and provides students with skills that prepare them for professional employment. Graduate programs range from Graduate Certificates requiring as few as four courses to Ph.D. degrees requiring a dissertation project that contributes new knowledge. Learning objectives will differ substantially from program to program, because of their different natures. Similar to undergraduate education at Iowa State University, the development of program outcomes, measurement of outcomes, and use of outcomes assessment to inform change are addressed at the program level. However, several objectives that are common to all graduate training programs include:

• Graduates will understand central issues and current research important to their field.
• Graduates will be familiar with the breadth and depth of their field.
• Graduates will be able to communicate their knowledge of the field.
• Graduates will be aware of ethical issues that pertain to their field.

Students completing a thesis-based master’s or a Ph.D. degree should additionally have demonstrated the ability to design and present a meaningful research project, and in the case of the Ph.D., to conduct a piece of significant research. Postdoctoral trainees should conduct research at the “cutting edge” of their discipline.

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Central campus is home to ISU's distinctive campanile, several wireless access points, and dozens of events throughout the year.