The NWHSU mission and vision form the foundation for the University Assessment Program.  As stated, "The mission of Northwestern Health Sciences University is to advance and promote natural approaches to health through education, research, clinical services and community involvement." 

Assessment is explicitly directed in the NWHSU vision, "Our collective vision is to develop an environment that fosters exemplary, innovative and ethically-based educational programs in natural health care.  We will also support clinical research, provide leadership for the development of collaborative and integrated health care models, prepare students for successful careers, provide life-long learning opportunities, and be of service to our community.  Through assessment of the academic achievement of our learners and the effectiveness of our research and service programs, we will demonstrate our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement." 

Purpose and definition of assessment at NWHSU

The purpose of the NWHSU Assessment Program is to determine whether the University, and specifically its academic programs, is reaching University and academic program goals as reflected in the above statements.  The heart of the program is embedded in the Assessment Program logo "Better Learning, Better Care, Better Health" surrounded by the continuous improvement process loop, "Plan-Do-Assess- Improve".  The University Assessment Program strives to emphasize what we want to achieve and an effective process to reach our goals.  With the creation of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness in January 2005, the Assessment Program is considered to be one of the foundational components of our institutional effectiveness initiatives.

Fundamentally, the assessment process provides the opportunity to find better ways to support and improve student learning.  It is NOT individual student or course grades, faculty or course evaluations, or a short-term accreditation activity. Within each academic program, the process helps to answer many questions about teaching and learning.

• What are we trying to do and why? 
• How well are we doing it? 
• What do we expect graduates to know and be able to do? 
• How do we know if they have learned what we want them to learn? 
• How do we use information to improve or to celebrate success? 
• And, do the changes we make really work?