All programs at MCAD follow these steps as part of their annual program assessments. Fall semester: Faculty teams design assessment strategies and instruments for specific learning outcomes Spring semester: Faculty collect direct and indirect evidence for the evaluation of student learning using assessment tools and analyze assessment findings to identify program strengths and areas to improve Summer: Assessment reports are presented to department chairs and incorporated into annual reports to inform decisions regarding program changes and improvements Fall semester: The previous year’s assessment is discussed among program faculty in departmental meetings Program level learning outcomes are chosen and assessments designed for the next academic year