Academic assessment at Rivier College measures a student's achievement of both specific course objectives and the College's overall goals of fostering articulate and reflective individuals who have achieved the intellectual independence, critical judgment, grounding in values, and professional knowledge to contribute significantly to society.

Individual course grades reflect the instructor's assessment of how well the student has achieved the objectives of the course, mastered its specific content, and demonstrated college-wide competencies -- whenever possible and at an appropriate level for that course and subject. These college-wide competencies include the following:

an understanding of course content -- the information, concepts, theories, or skills required of the specific subject and discipline

the ability to apply information, concepts, or skills from one part of the course to other areas and solve problems using this knowledge or these skills

the ability to communicate one's understanding and knowledge with clarity and persuasiveness -- orally, visually, quantitatively and/or in writing

the ability to think critically about course material in the light of other information, theories, or points of view -- demonstrating an awareness of the implications and/or limitations of any one perspective or approach

the ability to synthesize course material -- discovering larger patterns or relationships, discriminating among multiple views, and/or viewing the subject within a cross-disciplinary or global perspective

the ability to make and support value judgments about the social or ethical implications of course material or judge between competing solutions.