Professional Studies Learning Goals and Outcomes

Bachelor of Professional Studies students in the College of Applied Social Sciences will:

Be life-long competent social learners.

• Be able to articulate an opinion based on a group discussion.
• Be able to evaluate sources of information.
• Be able to synthesize diverse sources of information.

Have a foundational knowledge base.

• Be able to explain core concepts.
• Be able to identify the ideas of key thinkers in the discipline.
• Be able to demonstrate a basic competency in the liberal arts and sciences beyond their chosen field of study.

Be able to apply their knowledge.

• Be able to identify a practical application of the theoretical concept.
• Be able to articulate an example of how a concept applies in their own ives.
• Be able to create a real-world deliverable derived form course content.

Be global citizens.

• Be able to discuss the global implications of domestic policies.
• Be able to compare and contrast different cultural practices.
• Be able to articulate ways that individual actions can have widespread consequences.

Respect diversity.

• Be able to explain viewpoints that differ from their own.
• Be able to compare and contrast different cultural practices.
• Be able to identify their own inherent biases.

Have developed appropriate research and information literacy skills.

• Be able to construct a plan for finding information.
• Be able to critically evaluate sources of information.
• Be able to synthesize diverse sources of information
• Be able to locate appropriate sources of information, particularly primary sources.

Be able to communicate effectively.

• Be able to write in a clear and professional manner.
• Be able to adapt their communication style to the appropriate audience.
• Be able to advance an argumentative thesis.
• Be able to demonstrate respect when communicating with others.

Have and live according to a sense of ethics.

• Be able to identify ethical issues in real-life scenarios.
• Be able to articulate the ethical bases for a particular course of action.
• Be able to compare and contrast the ideas of major ethical thinkers.

Embrace the Dominican mission.

• Be able to articulate the importance of truth, justice and service.
• Be able to explain how the Dominican mission relates to their own lives.
• Be able to apply what they learn to further peace and justice in their communities.

Have developed a sense of self-actualization.

• Be able to restate the ideas of others.
• Be able to cite examples of self-actualization in their own lives.
• Be able to demonstrate self-confidence.
• Be able to critique the perspective of others.
• Be able to integrate skills learned outside and inside the classroom.
• Be able to devise strategies to overcome challenges.