The learning goals for students that enroll in finance courses, both majors and non-majors, are summarized in the attached documents. These goals were developed by the Finance Learning Assessment Committee with input from faculty primarily responsible for teaching the specific courses. No major modifications to these goals have been made since the previous report.

The assessment of student learning for each course offered through the Finance Department is described in the accompanying documents. As indicated, student learning is assessed primarily through the use of course embedded assessment instruments such as multiple choice and essay/problem solving examinations. These types of assessment devices will continue to be used during the upcoming assessment period.

The specific information that was analyzed this year included:

These information sources were reviewed to identify outcomes and trends as they apply to the learning objectives of the Finance Department.

Additionally, the Finance Learning Assessment Committee held discussions with individual faculty regarding areas of success and opportunities for improvement based on the Finance Departments Program Assessment Goals and Strategies (attached).

In order to achieve the desired learning outcomes that were determined to be appropriate by the Finance Learning Assessment Committee, the required courses for the finance major were changed. These requirements became effective for freshman beginning in the 1997-98 academic year. Since finance majors won’t be affected by these changes until academic year 1999-00, the direct assessment of the learning outcomes associated with these changes is not possible at this time.

Finance 325, Introduction to Financial Management, is the core finance course required to be taken by all business majors. During the recent academic year, several sections of this course were delivered as part of the 20/20 program under the designation of 325A and 325B. Based on the experience with this delivery approach, preparations have been made to assure effective delivery of this same course in the clustered, problem-based format during the 98-99 academic year.

Due to an overwhelming emphasis by employers in the financial services industry on the need for finance majors to be able to obtain the Series VII securities license, the basic investments course, FIN 341, will be reformatted in a manner that will more directly prepare finance majors to successfully complete the Series VII licensing exam. This will take place Fall quarter, 1998.