Philosophy of General Education

The Donnelly College faculty has articulated seven student learning outcomes that constitute the foundation of the College’s general education.

1. Communication Skills: Students will communicate effectively in writing and speaking.
2. Technology and Information Literacy Skills: Students will demonstrate proficiency in information literacy skills.
3. Symbolic Problem Solving: Students will demonstrate competency in qualitative and quantitative problem solving.  
4. Analytical Thinking: Students will employ reflective thinking to evaluate diverse ideas in the search for truth.
5. Personal and Interpersonal Skills: Students will develop an understanding across cultural differences locally, nationally, and internationally.
6. Academic Inquiry: Students will engage independently and effectively in lifelong learning.
7. Values: Students will demonstrate moral and ethical behavior in keeping with our Catholic identity.

In addition to the Donnelly College Learning Outcomes, individual programs have specific learning outcomes as listed below.

Program Learning Outcomes

Associate of Arts (AA), Liberal Arts 

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, students will demonstrate:

1. Proficiency and creativity in written and verbal communication.
2. Effective use of current technology in support of academic work.
3. Proficient use of qualitative and quantitative methods in problem solving.
4. Critical and Analytic thinking across a range of disciplines.
5. A commitment to ethics and integrity in academic and professional relationships, within the community and the environment.
6. An ability to conduct research using sources, strategies, and approaches across disciplines.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Concentration in Business

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science with a concentration in Business, students will demonstrate:

1. Academically appropriate written and oral communication.
2. An understanding of business theories. 
3. Knowledge of technology and software applications appropriate to the business environment. 
4. An understanding of workplace ethics and diversity. 
    

Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Concentration in Information Technology 

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science with a concentration in Information Technology, students will demonstrate:

1. An ability to communicate effectively. 
2. Knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems. 
3. Understanding of technology trends, practices, and products. 
4. Technical skills and methods to solve problems with ethical consideration. 
    

Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Nursing (ADN/RN)

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing, students will demonstrate:

      1. Integrate caring behaviors in practicing the art and science of nursing within a diverse population. 
      2. Implement professional standards and scope of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frame works. 
      3. Collaborate with clients and members of the inter-professional health care team to optimize client outcomes. 
      4. Formulate safe and effective clinical judgements guided by the nursing process, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice. 
      5. Manage care and provide leadership to meet client needs using available resources and current technology.  
      6. Generate teaching and learning processes to promote and maintain health and reduce risks for a global population. 
      7. Demonstrate effective communication methods to manage client needs and to interact with other healthcare team members.
 

Associate of Science (AS), Liberal Arts 

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science in Liberal Arts, students will demonstrate:

1. Proficiency and creativity in written and verbal communication.
2. Effective use of current technology in support of academic work.
3. Proficient use of qualitative and quantitative methods in problem solving.
4. Critical and Analytic thinking across a range of disciplines.
5. A commitment to ethics and integrity in academic and professional relationships, within the community and the environment.
6. Use of the scientific method.
    

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Business Leadership (formerly Organizational Leadership)

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership, students will demonstrate:

1. Professional/technical oral and written communication skills.
2. Ethical consideration in business and leadership practice. 
3. Critical thinking to make informed leadership decisions. 
4. Analysis and application of essential business practices. 

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Organizational Leadership

*BAS, Organizational Leadership will be removed when we no longer have active enrollment in this program 

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership, students will demonstrate:

1. A scholarly approach to oral and written communications.
2. The capacity to differentiate and critique business theories and impacts to the organization.
3. The aptitude to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to make informed decisions.
4. An understanding of their leadership style and application of that style to various situation.
5. The capacity to function effectively on teams to establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and produce deliverables.
6. The capability to evaluate and apply ethical considerations as they relate to leadership theories and social responsibilities.
7. Service leadership to others by developing a service-leadership plan that integrates leadership and business theories to practice.
    

Bachelor of Science (BS), Information Systems

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, students will demonstrate:

1. An ability to communicate effectively on multidisciplinary teams with a wide range of people.
2. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern computing tools necessary for technological practice.
3. The aptitude to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to make informed decisions.
4. An ability to ethically design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints.
5. The capacity to function effectively on teams that understand the impact technology has in a local, national, and global context.
6. Recognition of the need for, and willingness to engage in life-long learning through a continuous investigation of contemporary issues.
7. The capacity to make informed decisions in computing practice based on an understanding of professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.

Certificate, Practical Nursing

Upon successful completion of the Certificate in Practical Nursing, students will demonstrate:

     1. Relationship-centered care: provide nursing care that is relationship-centered, caring, culturally sensitive and based on the physiological, psychosocial and spiritual needs of clients with commonly occurring health alterations that 
         have predictable outcomes.
     2. Teamwork and Collaboration: collaborate with the client and members of the interprofessional health care team to promote continuity of client care and shared decision-making.
     3. Evidence based practice: use current evidence as a basis for nursing practice.
     4. Informatics: use information and client care technology to support the delivery of safe, quality client care.
     5. Quality Improvement: participate in quality improvement activities assessing their effect on client outcomes.
     6. Safety: provide an environment that is safe and reduces risk of harm for clients, self, and others.
     7. Professionalism: demonstrate accountability for client care that incorporates legal and ethical principles, regulatory guidelines, and standards of nursing practice.
     8. Leadership: use leadership skills that support the provision and coordination of client care.
 

Student Support Services 

Upon completion of Student Support Services programming, students will demonstrate:

1. Active participation in academic and career selection.
2. Enhanced knowledge of resources to help them succeed in college.
3. Active academic and social engagement, growth, and development.
4. The skills to work cooperatively in diverse communities and build a strong support network of faculty, staff, and peers.

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