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Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

  • Course Design

Last modified: October 7, 2025

This page provides general guidance on using and creating SLOs at UAS.

Overview

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are the specific, measurable statements of what students are expected to learn and be able to demonstrate by the end of a course. They help ensure consistency across courses, guide assessment, and communicate expectations to students. The faculty handbook requires all courses to have SLOs.

This page provides general guidance on using and creating SLOs at UAS. For more information on existing SLOs, course development, and approval processes, please refer to the UAS Curriculum Committee website.

Finding Existing SLOs at UAS

All existing UAS courses already have approved Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). Faculty can find them in CourseLeaf. 

Courseleaf is the official repository for course information at UAS. Instructors without CourseLeaf access should contact their department for support.
Many course SLOs can also be located by searching for the most recent course offering in UAS Online and selecting  "Syllabus"  (if available).
In some cases, SLOs are listed in the catalog, but it is more common for the catalog to include only the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs).

Writing SLOs for New Courses

Student learning outcomes for a course are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do upon completion of all required activities for the course. When writing  new SLOs, faculty should reference Appendix C: Learning Outcomes from the Curriculum Committee handbook. The handbook clearly lays out the purpose and differences between program outcomes and course outcomes, course purpose and goals, and expectations / objectives vs. learning outcomes.

In general, good SLOs are:

  • Specific and Measurable:  Use action verbs that can be assessed (e.g., analyze, demonstrate, apply).

  • Student-centeredEmphasize student abilities rather than the process of learning.

  • Aligned: Match the level and scope of the course, connect to program outcomes, and support institutional learning goals.

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