A Program Level Assessment Model for the Horticulture Baccalaureate Degree

Increasingly, employers and the academe desire evidence of a student’s skills, abilities and knowledge outside of the traditional measures of grades, certificates and degrees.  Evidence of quality in education is also a primary objective of regional accreditation organizations.  One method implemented by institutions of higher education to accomplish this goal is the use of large-scale program assessment practices.  When using this model, learning outcomes are identified and an assessment methodology is developed to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of a program.  To this end, the Horticulture Competency Curriculum Project was undertaken in 2006 and provides a starting point for institutions starting down the program assessment trail.