AU LEARNING OUTCOMES

An American University Education has at its heart the following set of learning outcomes, fostering in our students both personal development and intellectual growth as they apply knowledge in their classes, on campus, in Washington DC, and around the world.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of and respect for society and the environment. They will demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of the collective and the role of the individual. They will act with a sense of responsibility in service to the public interest and to social justice.

COLLABORATION

Graduates will be able to organize and carry out tasks collaboratively, demonstrating skills such as working with others, promoting consensus, sharing leadership, and taking responsibility for developing effective results.

CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

Graduates will evaluate arguments, issues, and ideas by considering evidence, context and multiple views before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. Graduates will exercise imagination, innovation, considered evaluation of risk, problem solving, experimentation, and inquiry in a manner that demonstrates originality of thought.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Graduates will live and work effectively in a global and multicultural world by respecting and understanding different opinions, perspectives, and experiences. They will demonstrate appreciation of diverse cultures and viewpoints.

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

Graduates will demonstrate broad knowledge in a subject or performance area and will know how to relate the knowledge in their areas of expertise to other areas of knowledge.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Graduates will communicate effectively in writing and in oral forms. They will be able to create and present compelling communications for specific audiences and purposes, and they will express ideas and information logically and clearly.

ETHICS

Graduates will demonstrate ethical decision-making skills; they will act with integrity, critically examine their own values, and respect how different values might be applied to address complex and ambiguous problems.

INFORMATION LITERACY

Graduates will identify their information needs, and search, select, retrieve, and evaluate relevant information from an array of sources. They will recognize reputable and accurate information and synthesize materials from varied sources.

QUANTITATIVE REASONING

Graduates will understand quantitative analysis in order to interpret and explain the world around them. They will be able to use data to address practical problems and to understand, analyze, and assess ideas and issues.

PERSONAL GROWTH

Graduates will adapt to new situations, manage resources effectively, prioritize tasks, and persist in achieving goals. They will show resilience in the face of setbacks and difficulties.