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Chapter 3. Developing a Program Mission Statement

Step 1 in program assessment is the development of a program mission statement. Here we discuss the purpose of a program mission statement, provide suggestions on the process and the timeframe for developing a mission statement, and give examples of mission statements from programs at BSC.

A. Purpose of a Program Mission Statement

Few topics are more likely to draw yawns from busy professionals than the development of a mission statement. So why is a mission statement the starting point for an assessment program? Let us consider the consequences of having no mission statement. In order to think about the outcomes that a program is meant to achieve, one needs to understand the purpose to which these outcomes are serving. Without a mission statement, faculty in the program may have different ideas of the purpose of the program and therefore be unable to reach consensus on the learning outcomes for the program. Students in the program may have ideas about the purpose of a program that differ from the actual mission of the program; the student's willingness to absorb important concepts may be lessened if the big ideas are not mutually understood or agreed upon.

For example, why hold students to good problem-solving skills in Physics unless there is a purpose that these skills are meant to serve? The BSC Physics department has answered that question with a mission focused on preparing students for careers in graduate school, industry, and teaching, in which problem solving is an essential skill.

B. Process and Timeframe for Developing a Mission Statement

The validity and degree to which a mission statement has meaning among faculty are obtained by developing a consensus in its development. Start by looking for mission statements in your professional organization and in similar programs across the country. Bring some examples to a faculty meeting for discussion. If the group does not reach a conclusion in a single meeting, ask for a couple of volunteers (consider asking the most vocal critics) to work outside the larger group and develop a working draft to be circulated by e-mail. Aim for the process to be completed in one meeting and some follow-up e-mail.

C. Examples of Program Mission Statements from BSC

The attached examples demonstrate the wide range of formats and modes of expression that program mission statements take on. Some mission statements consist of a short sentence; some incorporate a list of goals; some are stated as a single purpose. Rather than adhere to a standardized format, mission statements should reflect the characteristics and preferences of the faculty in the program and teach the students what the program is striving to accomplish. The importance of the mission statement lies in its ability to provide the program with a clear statement of purpose. Thus, examples that are long and detailed may be overly prescriptive, but those that are too brief may lack direction.

Anthropology
Communication Studies
Counselor Education
Computer Science
Geography
Music
Political Science
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
School of Management and Aviation Science
Theatre Arts

On to Chapter 4. Establishing Learning Outcomes

Last Modified: December 21, 2004