Academic Learning Compact

Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, B.S. degree

In recent years, there has been increased emphasis on the identification and assessment of core student learning outcomes in higher education. In alignment with that trend, the University of Wisconsin-Stout has articulated the importance of student learning and achievement in its strategic planning and accountability processes. Furthermore, the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration has placed considerable a strong emphasis on institutional accountability while permitting campus-level decisions about implementation details. Therefore, the faculty and administration at the University of Wisconsin-Stout mandated that all baccalaureate programs develop University Student Learning Outcomes (USLOs) in five specific areas.

These five identified USLOs are:

  1. critical and creative thinking skills/intellectual and practical skills(USLO1)
  2. effective communication skills(USLO2)
  3. knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world (USLO3)
  4. integrative learning (USLO4)
  5. individual, social and environmental responsibility (USLO5)

Note: The reference source for the above UW-Stout’s Polytechnic Student Learning Outcomes can be found at http://www3.uwstout.edu/provost/polytechnic-learning-outcomes.cfm.

The expectation is that each degree program will devise program specific student learning outcomes and assess those student learning outcomes.

At the University of Wisconsin – Stout the Polytechnic Student Learning Outcomes are met by incorporating this concept of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) at two assessment levels; the first being at the General Education level; and second at the Program (discipline) specific level. The intent, therefore, is to measure the obtainment of the identified USLO’s and PSLOs through university and program-specific assessment efforts. These combined assessment efforts measure and document student learning outcomes, a process that ensures continuous program improvement.

As of April 2011, the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program, provides to students and prospective students the Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO) associated with this baccalaureate program. To read the Program Specific Student Learning Outcomes for this particular baccalaureate program, please see the HRTM Program Student Learning Outcomes for Students [DOC].

For course specific student learning outcomes, please see the spreadsheet: School of Hospitality Leadership Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) [XLS]

Assessment of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs), B.S. degree

The above Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including:

  • laboratory simulations and evaluations
  • written tests
  • projects
  • discussion evaluations
  • presentation rubrics
  • performance portfolios
  • internship evaluations
  • service learning activities

USLO1: Critical and Creative Thinking Skills/Intellectual and Practical Skills, including:

  • Inquiry, analysis and problem solving
  • Higher order qualitative and quantitative reasoning; research
  • Technology applications for research and project development

USLO2: Effective Communication Skills, including:

  • Listening, speaking, reading, writing and information literacy
  • Effective communication appropriate to each discipline

USLO3: Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World, including:

  • Study of sciences, math, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages and the arts
  • Global and cultural awareness; ability to interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Collaborative skills; ability to lead or contribute support to those who lead
  • Ability to empathize and understand those who are different from themselves

USLO4: Integrative Learning, including:

  • Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies
  • Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities; application of knowledge and skills for solving complex problems
  • Undergraduate and graduate experiential opportunities; internships, Study Abroad education, service-learning options, etc.
  • The ability to understand and solve problems from multiple perspectives and disciplines

USLO5: Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility, including:

  • Civic Knowledge
  • Local and global engagement
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Skills for lifelong learning