1C1 Common Learning Objectives

Inver Hills Community College is dedicated to students.  Faculty, staff and administrators work to ensure that the campus is meeting learner needs and expectations and to create a learning environment with exceptional support resources. 

Figure  1-1. MnSCU Campus Locations

IHCC is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and University (MnSCU) system (shown in Figure 1‑1), which provides guidelines concerning curricular matters.  Prior to approval, all degrees and certificates must meet the requirements outlined by the Office of the Chancellor. 

The central document concerning student learning outcomes is the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).  This twelve-year-old agreement assures transfer of the general education core and is accepted by all public higher education institutions in Minnesota, some private Minnesota colleges and several private and public institutions in neighboring states.  The MnTC is composed of ten learning goals and their competencies (see Figure 1-2 and Appendix B).

Figure  1-2. Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goals

Participating institutions determine in which of their courses students will achieve required competencies. The MnTC forms the core of the College’s A.A. degree, intended primarily for transfer to bachelor’s degree institutions. Students in the career-oriented Associate of Science (A.S.) degree must complete a course in communications; English; lab science or math; history, social science or behavioral science; humanities, fine arts or literature; and a course from one of the other goal areas.  See credit requirements in Figure 1‑3.

Figure  1-3. Credit Distribution Requirements for A.A., A.S. and A.A.S. Degrees

During campus-wide discussions, faculty, staff, administrators and students identified common learning objectives for all students.  The discussions began as part of department and program review meetings, student club meetings and formal staff development sessions; each group determined 3-5 common learning outcomes for their respective areas.  All group decisions were compiled, reviewed and finalized during further campus-wide discussions, resulting in the learning outcomes shown in Figure 1‑4.

In addition to campus-wide learning outcomes, each individual course offered by the College has measurable learning outcomes.  Thus, all courses focus on student learning outcomes that support the overall goals of preparing students for advanced education or career opportunities.

Figure  1-4. Student Learning Outcomes