Office of Institutional Assessment

Student Learning Competencies

George Mason University is engaged in the assessment of many student learning competencies. The assessment of six of these competencies is required by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). These six overlap with Mason general education goals that include an additional five competencies/goals that are also being assessed. The assessment of these competencies are guided by faculty teams that determine the goals, objectives and methods that will be used. Student surveys and focus groups complement direct assessment measures and are available in the “Reports” section of this website.

SCHEV Competencies:

Written Communication
Oral Communication
Scientific Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Information Technology

• Assessing Competence in Six Areas at Mason (PDF).

• SCHEV competencies of other Virginia schools

Additional General Education Competencies and Goals:

Global Understanding
Synthesis
Literature
Arts
Social and Behavioral Sciences