Planning & Self-Study Software Support
UND uses Watermark's Planning & Self-Study as our assessment management system for all assessment submissions.
By using a centralized assessment management system, Planning & Self-Study, assessment data can be tracked and reported consistently from year-to-year, roll-up assessment plans for academic program reviews, and facilitates plans to ensure data-informed decision making.
Accessing Watermark Planning & Self-Study
Login with your NDUS credentials.
Planning & Self-Study Tutorials
Program Information
This section includes items for each program that only need to be updated when changes are made.
Each college, department, and program should have a mission statement, as all outcomes should align with the mission.
Use the below instructions for assistance in entering or updating your program's mission statement.
Program leads should:
- Ensure the outcomes are correct and formatted appropriately
- Give each outcome an appropriate title
- Update as changes are made
Use the below instructions for assistance in entering your program's learning and success outcomes.
Courses affiliated with your academic program can and should be mapped to the appropriate outcome. You can choose to identify where content related to that outcome is introduced in the curriculum, where is it reinforced, and where it is mastered. When an outcome is mastered, there should be a summative assessment measurement included, to help assessment if the outcome was met. We also encourage you to have formative assessments throughout the curriculum as well.
Use the below instructions for assistance in completing the Curriculum Map.
HOW-TO: CREATE AND EDIT THE CURRICULUM MAP
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: CURRICULUM MAP [5:10]
For academic programs only.
It is recommended to have multiple assessment measures for each outcome. Usually these measures will be course-based assignments that will align with the stated learning outcome(s).
Annual Assessment Report Submissions
The below instructions outline how to report assessment results (learning outcomes and program/success outcomes), analyze findings, draw conclusions, and create an action plan for continuous improvement. The Annual Assessment Reports are to be completed each year for each program and certificate.
The below instructions will help you select outcomes for an annual assessment submission, add/edit assessment measures, add/edit assessment results, analyze results, identify actions, and analyze outcomes.
HOW-TO: SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT REPORTS
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT REPORTS [9:59]
Once the annual assessment report has been fully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from Watermark.
If you are looking for information on how to complete the Academic Program Review narrative in Planning & Self-Study, see the Academic Program Review website.
Tracking Actions
Planning & Self-Study can be used to track progress on the Action Items identified in the Assessment Report. This feature can be extremely helpful in providing the continuity and "closing the loop" between assessment cycles.
Watermark users can access actions created for assessment plans through the Actions tab in the Organization Profile page.
Scheduled Trainings
Training sessions are scheduled to assist programs with inputting their annual assessment information. The dates, times, and registration links can be found on the Trainings & Resources page.
Submission Deadline
The Annual Assessment Submissions are due:
- August 1st for co-curricular experiences (in Student Affairs or Academic Support Units)
- October 1st for curricular programs (academic degrees and certificates)
FAQs
All past assessment reports "Docs & Reports" section within each program in Planning & Self-Study.
Access has been granted to academic department chairs and the University Assessment Committee. If there is someone else in your department who should have (i.e. Program Director) access, email assessment@UND.edu with their name, email and program information.
Summer data reporting will be up to the program to determine how it best fits into their assessment plan. Official NDUS PeopleSoft dates list the summer semester as part of the subsequent AY - the new AY starts in May (summer session).