Skip to main content
University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
    • Admitted Students
    • Current Students
    • Families of Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Email
    • Blackboard
    • Campus Connection
    • Employee Self-Service
    • Hawk Central
    • Degree Map
    • Zoom
  • Directory
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
University of North Dakota
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Office of the Provost
  • Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation
  • Planning & Self-Study Software Support
Skip Section Navigation
  • Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation
  • Assessment Show/hide children
    • Institutional Assessment Plan
    • Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
    • Scheduled Training Sessions
    • University Assessment Committee
    • Essential Studies Assessment
    • Planning & Self Study Software Support
  • Accreditation
  • Academic Program Review
  • Contact Us

Planning & Self-Study Software Support

UND uses Watermark's Planning & Self-Study as the online repository for annual assessment submissions. 

By using a centralized assessment software allows assessment data to 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

Log In to Watermark

Enter your NDUS.Identifier username and password. 

Planning & Self-Study Tutorials

Program Information

This section includes items for each program that only need to be updated when changes are made. 

The following resources provide a basic overview and introduction to the Assessment Submissions area within Planning & Self-Study. 

  • Introductory Video Tour [8:15]

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. 

  • Create and Edit Mission Statements
  • Video Tutorial [1:36]

Program leads should:

  1. Ensure the outcomes are correct and formatted appropriately
  2. Give each outcome an appropriate title
  3. Update as changes are made

Use the below instructions for assistance in entering your program's learning and success outcomes. 

  • Create and Edit Outcomes
  • Video Tutorial [4:55]

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 Curriculum Maps
  • Video Tutorial [5:49]

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). 

  • How to Add Measures to an Outcome

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.  

  • Complete the Annual Assessment Submission
  • Video Tutorial [22:45]

Once the annual assessment report has been fully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from Watermark.

The first step in preparing your Assessment report is to identify the outcomes that will be assessed [reported on] during the academic year.  Outcomes should be assessed on a 2-3 year cycle. 

  • How to Access the Assessment Report & Select Outcomes 

The below instructions include only information related to adding the assessment results (data) into Planning & Self-Study. 

  • How to Enter Results

Assessment results can be pulled directly from Blackboard into measures in Planning & Self-Study using the steps below: 

Linking Assessment Results to Blackboard

This section of the Assessment Report is the analysis of the data: where it is identified if the target was met (or not), conclusions are provided and relate to student learning, and the analysis is compared to previous assessment data. 

  • How to Analyze Results with Findings

This step is often referred to "closing the loop", where strategies are identified for ongoing continuous improvement, specifically focused on student learning or improving on the assessment process. This section requires purposeful reflection and discussion by stakeholders in the program or experience. 

If multiple measures are used for an outcome, this is also the time to analyze the outcome in its entirety- triangulating the results of each assessment measure and to create a plan related to the specific learning outcome. 

  • How to Create an Action Plan and Analyze Outcomes

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.

Tracking Actions and Adding Updates

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. 

  • Instructions

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. 

Yes!  Email Karina Knutson to set up a time.  

Nope! Annual Assessment Reports can be submitted anytime between May and the deadline.  (August 1 for co-curricular programs, October 1 for curricular programs)

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).

 

submit assessment report

 

assessment@UND.edu 

Office of the Provost
Twamley Hall Room 302
264 Centennial Dr Stop 8176
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8176
P 701.777.2167

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.

Ready to Enroll?

  • Request Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Apply Now
  • UND.info@UND.edu
  • 701.777.3000
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Contact UND
  • Campus Map
  • Events Calendar
  • Community & Belonging
  • Explore Programs
  • Employment
  • Make a Gift
  • Campus Safety (SafeUND)
University of North Dakota

© 2025 University of North Dakota - Grand Forks, ND - Member of ND University System

  • Accessibility & Website Feedback
  • Terms of Use & Privacy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Student Disclosure Information
  • Title IX
©