Learning Outcomes Assessment

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Lincoln University (LU) Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) express a shared, campus-wide articulation of expectations for all degree recipients. Success in all disciplines taught at Lincoln University requires knowledge, curiosity, imagination, creativity, collaboration, and analytic abilities that serve to extend our understanding of the world. ILOs define the broad areas of knowledge, skills, abilities, and values that graduates are expected to develop as a result of general education, major studies, and co-curricular activities. Graduates of Lincoln University are able to:

Recognize problems, think critically, apply analytical reasoning, and propose solutions (ILO 1). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to develop habits and skills necessary for processing information based on intellectual commitment and using these skills to guide behavior.

For MBA/MS students: ability to recognize and work with the components of reasoning and problem solving; ability to understand concepts, assumptions, purpose, conclusions, implications, consequences, objections from alternative viewpoints, and frame of reference.

For DBA students: ability to incorporate various modes of thinking including scientific, economic, mathematical, historical, anthropological, and moral ones.

Communicate ideas, perspectives and values clearly while respectfully listening to others (ILO 2). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to raise important questions and problems and formulating them clearly and precisely in oral or written communication.

For MBA/MS students: ability to gather and assess relevant information, use abstract ideas to interpret it effectively, develop well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards.

For DBA students: ability to operate within alternative systems of thought; recognize and assess the needs with related assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and communicate results effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Display professional behavior and act responsibly at local, national, and global levels (ILO 3). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to act with dignity and follow the principles concerning the quality of life of all people, recognize an obligation to protect fundamental human rights, and respect the diversity of all cultures.

For MBA/MS students: ability to be exemplary business professionals and ensure that the products of their efforts will be used in socially responsible ways, will meet social needs, and will avoid harmful effects to health and welfare.

For DBA students: as exemplary business professionals, ability to minimize the possibility of indirectly harming others by following accepted standards at local, national or international levels; ability to assess the likelihood of physical and social consequences of any developed product’s harm to others.

Work collaboratively and respectfully as members of diverse organizational teams (ILO 4). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to focus on individual and organizational benefits; communicate to co-workers and company’s leadership in facilitation of collaborative environment; be honest and transparent with regard to their work and be respectful of the work of others.

MBA/MS students: ability to lead by example to create highly collaborative organizational environment; ability to develop and use strategies to encourage employees at all organizational levels to do the same.

DBA students: ability to integrate collaboration into organizational workflows, create a supportive environment for collaboration and teamwork, and lead by example.

Demonstrate leadership skills through the ability to set directions and motivate others (ILO 5). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to display sincerity and integrity in all their actions based on reason and moral principles; ability to inspire others by showing mental and spiritual endurance.

For MBA/MS students: ability to set goals and have a vision of the future; as effective leaders, they should habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.

For DBA students: ability to have perseverance to accomplish a goal despite potential obstacles, use sound judgments to make decisions at a right time, and make appropriate changes in thinking, planning, and methods in achieving organizational goals.

Apply creativity and innovation in their field of study (ILO 6). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems; ability to become a resourceful problem solvers.

For MBA/MS students: ability to continually seek, develop, and offer new or improved services; ability to use original approaches when dealing with problems in the workplace.

For DBA students: ability to set up realistic goals for the organization, encourage innovative strategies, and convey a clear sense of future direction to employees.

Demonstrate expertise and integration of ideas, methods, theory and practice in a specialized discipline of study (ILO 7). This entails:

For BA/BS students: ability to define and explain the boundaries, divisions, styles and practices of the field; ability to define and properly use the principal terms in the field.

For MBA/MS students: ability to demonstrate fluency in the use of tools, technologies and methods in the field; ability to evaluate, clarify and frame complex questions or challenges using perspectives and knowledge from the business discipline.

For DBA students: ability to formulate and arrange ideas, designs, or techniques, and apply them to specific issues and problems; ability to apply current research, skills, and or/techniques in the field.

Program Learning Outcomes

GE Learning Outcomes (GELOs) for all Undergraduate Programs

The general education part of BA and BS programs empowers students to:

Communicate effectively in multiple creative and professional writing genres by applying Standard American English and appropriate software (GELO1).
Communicate effectively verbally in various professional and social contexts (GELO2).
Demonstrate proficiency in college-level mathematics, be able to represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, and verbally; interpret and apply quantitative methods to solve practical problems (GELO3).
Identify, evaluate, and synthesize information from relevant publications and reports (GELO4).
Apply critical thinking skills and common sense to approach and solve real-world problems. Demonstrate proficiency in skills that sustain lifelong learning, particularly to think critically and responsibly in assessing, evaluating, and integrating information (GELO5).
Obey the responsibilities of active citizenship, community engagement, social responsibility, and professional integrity (GELO6).

BA in Business Administration Program Learning Outcomes (BA PLOs)

Upon completion of the program, students receive a solid base in the areas of a modern commercial enterprise, as well as advanced preparation in an area of a concentration of their choice. The students will be able to:

Apply comprehensive knowledge of core business principles across functional areas, including finance, marketing, operations, and specialized knowledge in at least one of the following concentrations: international business, marketing, entrepreneurship, management information systems, or business communications (BA PLO1).
Evaluate complex business problems by identifying relevant information, analyzing data from multiple sources, and assessing the credibility and accuracy of information to formulate evidence-based solutions. (BA PLO2).
Communicate effectively through professional written documents and oral presentations, adapting the message for diverse audiences and purposes (BA PLO3).
Apply quantitative and qualitative analytical tools to diagnose business problems, evaluate data, and develop data-driven recommendations to support strategic decision-making (BA PLO4).
Evaluate business decisions through multiple ethical frameworks and formulate solutions that balance stakeholder interests with social responsibility (BA PLO5).

BS in Diagnostic Imaging Program Learning Outcomes (BS PLOs)

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to examine patients at various medical facilities, perform ultrasound procedures, and manage and direct operations in ultrasound labs. The students will be skilled to:

Apply foundational theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in ultrasound technology, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, diagnostic sonography, and echocardiography according to current professional standards and protocols (BS PLO1).
Demonstrate proficiency inpatient positioning techniques, operation of the equipment, and relevant clinical protocols to produce high-quality diagnostic images while ensuring patient safety and comfort (BS PLO2).
Evaluate patient conditions, clinical presentations, and limitations to modify and optimize imaging procedures, demonstrating clinical decision-making skills that accommodate diverse patient needs and anatomical variations (BS PLO3).
Communicate effectively with patients, healthcare team members, and physicians through clear documentation, accurate reporting of clinical findings, and professional interpersonal interactions in the clinical environment (BS PLO4).

MBA Program Learning Outcomes (MBA PLOs)

The following objectives have been identified as important for business managers: 1) use of analytical tools from the quantitative and behavioral sciences; 2) coverage of the basic functional areas of business with stress on their inter-relationships; 3) building of flexible adaptability to changing environments; 4) development of the student’s ability to evaluate social, political, and economic values; 5) advancement of skills in group cooperation and decision-making; 6) development of communication skills; 7) development of a sense of professional responsibility; 8) multinational aspects as related to all the subject areas. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Apply advanced theoretical and practical management concepts to analyze complex business challenges across functional areas of business administration (MBA PLO1).
Analyze business problems using quantitative and qualitative methods to implement solutions in specialized areas: international business, finance, human resources, management information systems, and marketing management, while considering associated risks (MBA PLO2).
Interpret complex business data and strategic initiatives to construct clear, professional communications adapted for diverse stakeholder groups and specialist audiences (MBA PLO3).
Implement professional practices in business projects, demonstrating self-direction and accountability for team outcomes (MBA PLO4).
Apply leadership principles to organize teams, delegate responsibilities, and achieve strategic business objectives (MBA PLO5).
Analyze ethical dilemmas in business operations using established frameworks to determine appropriate courses of action (MBA PLO6).
Demonstrate autonomy and creativity for managing complex professional practices (MBA PLO7).

MS in International Business Program Learning Outcomes (MSIB PLOs)

Students graduating from MS in International Business (IB)will be able to:

Evaluate and synthesize major theories and concepts in International Business to formulate informed strategic management decisions in global contexts (MSIB PLO1).
Design and implement advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies, leveraging appropriate technologies, to analyze and solve real-world challenges in international business environments (MSIB PLO2).
Evaluate and assess global business opportunities and associated challenges, create and defend strategic solutions for problems facing multinational enterprises (MSIB PLO3).
Critically analyze ethical dilemmas in global business contexts, evaluate moral standards across diverse cultural environments, and construct appropriate ethical decision-making frameworks for international organizations (MSIB PLO4).
Create and deliver effective communications, articulating findings and recommendations both orally and in writing to diverse global professional audiences (MSIB PLO5).

MS in Finance Management Program Learning Outcomes (MSFM PLOs)

Students graduating from MS in Finance Management (FM) will be able to:

Evaluate and synthesize major theories and concepts in Finance Management, including international finance, securities, commercial banking, lending, and diverse investment markets, to formulate informed strategic business decisions (MSFM PLO1).
Design and implement advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies, leveraging appropriate technologies, to analyze and solve real-world financial challenges facing organizations (MSFM PLO2).
Evaluate and assess diverse financing scenarios, formulate strategic finance management solutions, and defend optimal approaches for addressing problems across various financial contexts (MSFM PLO3).
Critically analyze ethical dilemmas in finance management, evaluate moral standards applicable to various financial contexts, and construct comprehensive ethical frameworks for implementation (MSFM PLO4).
Create and deliver effective communications, articulating findings and recommendations both orally and in writing to diverse professional audiences (MSFM PLO5).

DBA Program Learning Outcomes (DBA PLOs)

Completing DBA Program students will be able to:

Create new theoretical frameworks and innovative approaches that advance knowledge in business administration, synthesizing complex academic theories, concepts, and advanced analytical techniques in response to contemporary business challenges (DBA PLO1).
Design and execute original research that contributes to business theory and practice through significant problem formulation, critical synthesis of scholarly literature, development of innovative research methodologies, advanced statistical and qualitative analyses, and generation of publishable findings (DBA PLO2).
Create sophisticated pedagogical approaches and advanced scholarly communications by designing innovative teaching methodologies, developing original business curricula, producing publishable academic research, and crafting advanced consulting frameworks for knowledge dissemination (DBA PLO3).
Evaluate and synthesize complex ethical paradigms in business to generate new frameworks for ethical decision-making, while creating models for responsible management and designing solutions for emerging ethical challenges in global business contexts (DBA PLO4).
Create innovative consulting solutions by synthesizing knowledge across multiple business domains, generating new applications of business theory, designing novel approaches to complex organizational challenges, and developing comprehensive frameworks for knowledge transfer across industries and sectors (DBA PLO5).
Create and present advanced forms of oral and written communications (DBA PLO6).