Learning Assessment in Noncredit Continuing Education

While program- and institution-level learning assessment in higher education has received substantial attention, much less emphasis has been placed on the assessment of learning in noncredit continuing education in higher education institutions. Learning assessment is sparse in this area because these learning experiences may be shorter in duration than credit courses, are commonly taught by field experts, and there are limits to the time and resources the higher education institution or other provider invests in conducting learning outcome assessment. This paper describes assessment recommendations in the noncredit continuing education space, with concrete examples in three areas: learning outcome statements, surveys with learning outcome-focused questions, and direct assessment of learning.