Academic Quality at DeVry University

Technology shapes our interactions with the world and the classroom. Under this tenet, we advance our curriculum by evaluating the newest technologies as tools to deliver learning experiences to our students. This includes:

• Learning Methodologies. From industry-proven tools and software in courses to connected classroom technology on several campuses, our learning methodologies help create a dynamic, student-centered, active and experiential learning environment, and foster the life skills necessary in a global environment.
• Library Resources and Information Literacy. The DeVry University Learning Commons offers a comprehensive range of learning resources and tools, and a strategic approach to information literacy. During a course of study and through reference services like Ask-a-Librarian, students are provided with instruction in information literacy and opportunities to practice finding and using information.
• Tutoring and Online Academic Support. Take advantage of Tutor.com¹ to receive 1-on-1 assistance. Our tutors are there whenever you need help!
  

Learning outcomes specify what students should be able to do as a result of what they have learned. We collect data to measure student learning outcomes across their educational journey. Through a systematic cycle of assessment, we can make timely improvements that support students in reaching their educational and career goals:

• Program Assessment. We use standardized assessments in general education and in business programs to measure the knowledge, analytical and problem-solving skills gained by students in their field of study. Course Level Assessments also help us measure gains in learning and evaluate skills in applying specific course knowledge. We use this information to make continuous improvements to the curriculum.
• Student Persistence and Graduation. To help students follow through with their educational journey, we carefully measure persistence and graduation rates and work to improve them. By investing in support programs, we strive to help and support every student to make it to graduation.

Faculty members are at the heart of our institution, and they often engage in meaningful activities that have an impact in their field and in the classroom. This highlights how faculty members engage with students; collaborate with each other and their larger academic communities and connect with the world around them. This includes:

• Faculty Development. Long known for industry experience, and an ability to provide students with real-world practices from the field, our professors are also academicians who are passionate about teaching. In recent years, DeVry has made significant progress in strengthening the role that our faculty members have in maintaining academic quality.
• Investment in Growth and Development. DeVry supports faculty to advance their academic credentials. In addition, our faculty chair position, annual faculty symposia and DeVry University Journal of Scholarly Research create opportunities for faculty development and promotion.
• Evaluation and Assessment. DeVry students provide ongoing feedback about our faculty, programs, services and classroom settings. Through student satisfaction measurement tools, such as Net Promoter Score assessments, we can determine the quality of our courses and programs.

One way we show care for students is by offering personal support from application to graduation and beyond. Another way is by providing career advising that help students build their professional portfolios. This tenet highlights how we customize levels of support to help students reach their goals:

• Student Support. Our goal is to continuously enhance the quality of services and the education we deliver to our students. A key student support tool, ASPIRE, provides free, 24/7 counseling services to students and their families.
• Clubs and Competitions. We create opportunities for students to participate in industry related clubs and competitions to stretch their academic knowledge. By networking with peers and participating in industry events, students hone their skills and obtain a wealth of experience that enhances their portfolios.

Graduation day is a significant milestone for our students, as a career-focused university, it is simply the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship with them. This tenet reflects our engagement with alumni and our ability to provide them with career services support:

• Career Services.  Our career services advisors help students by working with them to develop career readiness plans and provide tools that will support their success.
• Alumni Community and Engagement. We have a full-scale alumni engagement plan that includes the DeVry University and Keller Alumni Association, a bi-yearly alumni survey and active social media engagement. We use the feedback from the survey to improve our initiatives to students and alumni, and foster a community of thriving lifelong learners.