Nationwide, institutions use phrases unique to their college or university to term what we are calling core student outcomes. They include: “principles of undergraduate learning,” “expectations of graduates,” and “core abilities.”

The Association of American Colleges and Universities recently released a report “College Learning for the New Global Century” which outlined curricular goals for all colleges as "four broad essential learning outcomes, with the idea that different kinds of institutions would assure these outcomes in different ways. Generally, the outcomes would encourage rigor of preparation, interdisciplinary and team learning, and links between experiences in and out of the classroom." (Source: "Definition for Liberal Education," Inside Higher Ed, January 11, 2007)

The outcomes are:

• Knowledge of human cultures
• Intellectual and practical skills
• Personal and social responsibility
• Integrative learning

Most of our colleges and universities have formulated statements about their core student outcomes for graduates in response to the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation requirements. For example, Criterion Four: Core Component 4b, expects that “The organization demonstrates that acquisition of a breadth of knowledge and skills and the exercise of intellectual inquiry are integral to its educational programs.”