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This study examined student learning outcomes for accelerated degree students as compared to conventional undergraduate students, disaggregated by class levels, to develop strategies for then closing the loop with assessment. Using the National Survey of Student Engagement, critical thinking and oral and written communication outcomes were examined. Within-and between-group learning outcome differences with freshmen and seniors in both instructional formats were tested to determine if instructional goals were met and student learning transpired. A quantitative, single case analysis method was used to determine significance with the items relating to these outcomes. Results indicated that seniors in both instructional formats typically reported greater engagement scores than freshmen, and that accelerated students tended to report more engagement than their conventional counterparts. These findings were most robust for the critical thinking outcome. Ramifications for student learning and relevant instructional formats are then explored, so as to close the loop with assessment.

We examine 15 skills of graduating management majors as measured by self-rated perceptions of change during their college tenure. The sample includes 520,052 students from 697 higher education institutions in the United States. The research questions are: (1) As judged by management majors themselves, how much have their skills changed as a result of higher education? (2) How do these self-perceptions compare to other students? (3) What is the estimated impact of a management degree on these changes? Notable findings include that at least 90% of students reporting stronger, if not much stronger, skills in the categories of general knowledge, critical thinking, analytics, problem solving, and knowledge of their chosen field (management). However, other skills such as leadership are reported by 16% of management students as experiencing no change. The ratings of communication skills categories of public speaking and writing reported 17% of each category as no change or weaker skills is these areas. Study findings are discussed along with recommendations for future research.