Accreditation and Assessment

Academic Affairs provides assistance with accreditation and assessment resources to enhance quality and effectiveness in achieving the mission of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS). Academically, this includes the quality of teaching and learning experiences for didactic, clinical, research, and co-curricular activities that contribute to a student’s academic growth and success.

At the program and institutional levels, assessment and continuous improvement are linked to strategic planning, program review, accreditation, new program development, and using institutional data for strategic decision-making and to measure progress toward institutional priorities. A variety of accreditation and assessment information, resources, reporting, and related activities are facilitated through Academic Affairs.

Accreditation

• In addition to institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, RFUMS has nine specialized, program accreditations that signify meeting educational standards of quality in preparing students for careers in the health professions.
• Learn more about Institutional and Program Accreditation

Assessment

• Student Assessment
  • Assessment is a process to determine what students are learning. The assessment results will tell us if students are accomplishing the learning objectives and measurable outcomes. Faculty in the academic programs determine the outcomes, map them in the curriculum, and determine the appropriate assessment methods for evaluation and action for continuous improvement. Examples of course-level assessment may include unit exams, case studies, journals, and poster presentations. Program milestone assessment may include shelf exams administered at the completion of the required coursework in the first and second years of a clinical program. Capstone projects, portfolios, clinical evaluations, and dissertations are examples of assessment near the completion of specific graduate degree programs. Assessments at the course, program, college/school, and university levels are visually outlined in the following documents.
• Academic Program Review
  • Academic Program Review is a systematic process that promotes excellence for all degree and certificate programs included in the university’s portfolio of academic offerings. The review is an intentional time for program faculty and leadership within the respective college/school/program to conduct a self-assessment, reflect on the results, and determine needs and priorities for the future success of the program. While the process is data-driven and analytical, it is much more than an exercise of collecting and summarizing details about the standard operations of the program. Academic Program Review is both an opportunity and an obligation to ensure that the program remains relevant, focused, and meets the educational needs of students for their success in their chosen profession. It is also a time to think and plan strategically at the program level, to include colleagues and peers to assure alignment with RFUMS’s mission, vision, and strategic directions, with an ongoing commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• University Assessment Plans
  • Each academic program has an assessment plan for program goals including those related to student learning and achievement at the program level. Assessment plans are posted in University Assessment Plans and on the respective program webpages. The assessment plans are updated each fall using results from the previous academic year.
  • Learn more about University Assessment Plans

Assessment Leadership Council

• The RFUMS Assessment Leadership Council is an interprofessional team that facilitates continuous quality improvement for student learning through a wide range of activities that include seminars, and workshops. Through individual advising, the council also provides leadership for each academic program to develop and implement a Continuous Quality Leadership approach to program accreditation standards, many of which are linked to student learning and success. Additionally the council oversees Institutional-wide assessments such as the Assessment and Evaluation of Interprofessional Education and Practice at RFUMS.