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Institutional Objectives

INSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT CONTROL AND AUTHORITY RECORD

Document Identification

Canonical Reference Code: AUS.INS.FRM.OBJ.001.V5.0

Domain: Institution

Class: Framework

Subclass: Objectives

Responsibility and Approval

Responsible Executive Authority: Office of the President

Approval Authority: Board of Governors

Sponsor: Office of the President

Audience: University community, governing bodies, and all individuals engaging with the institutional mission and academic framework

Supersedes: V1.0-4.0

Authority and Status

This document is issued within the institutional framework of The American University of Science (“AUS” or “the University”) and derives its authority from the approval authority identified above, acting pursuant to delegated authority under the University’s governing instruments and applicable law.

The scope, effect, and enforceability of this document are limited to the level of authority formally delegated to its approval authority under the University’s governing instruments and applicable law.

Nothing in this header or its formatting shall be construed to elevate, expand, or imply constitutional, Board-level, or governing authority beyond that expressly designated.

In the event of conflict between this document and the University’s Charter, Bylaws, or higher-order governing instruments, the higher-order instrument shall control.

Harmony of Authority and Implementation

The University affirms an ordered harmony between (i) its legally operative governing instruments and (ii) its theological commitments. The Charter, Bylaws, duly adopted Board actions, and applicable law define the University’s legal authority and governance procedures. The Declaration of Faith defines the University’s doctrinal identity and the theological commitments that govern institutional purpose and standards. The University implements its doctrinal commitments through lawful governance actions, duly adopted policies, and enforceable procedures, and does not construe theological commitments to authorize actions inconsistent with controlling law or the University’s higher-order governing instruments.

Interpretation and Limitations

This document shall be interpreted consistently with:

  • The University’s Charter and Bylaws

  • Applicable institutional policies

  • Applicable federal, state, and international law

Unless expressly stated, this document does not operate retroactively.

If any provision of this document is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Review and Revision Record

First Review Date: June 3, 2022

First Approval Date: September 3, 2022

Most Recent Review Date: June 3, 2025

Most Recent Approval Date: September 3, 2025

Effective Date: September 3, 2025

Review Cycle: This document shall be reviewed at least annually in accordance with the University’s Board-approved Institutional Assessment and Continuous Improvement Plan and its corresponding governance review procedures. The designated approval authority may conduct additional reviews or adjust the scope of review as deemed necessary. The validity, enforceability, and continuing authority of this document remain in effect unless and until it is formally amended, superseded, or revoked by the appropriate approval authority in accordance with the University’s governing instruments. Any substantive revision shall be recorded in Board minutes and reported to applicable accrediting bodies to the extent required under their respective accreditation standards, policies, and reporting requirements.

Record Control and Access

This document forms part of the official institutional record in accordance with the University’s records management and classification policies.

Access, retention, distribution, archival status, and revision authority are governed by its classification and applicable institutional policies.

The most current authorized version of this document is maintained in the University’s official records repository.

TEXT

Nescire est initium sapientiae

Not knowing is the beginning of wisdom.

In fidelity to the Declaration of Faith and the Philosophy of The American University of Science ("AUS" or "the University"), and consistent with the University’s Mission, Vision, Values, Institutional Integrity, and authorized scope of postsecondary Christian higher education, the following Institutional Objectives constitute the University’s educational aims and student-centered outcomes. Rooted in the conviction that intellectual humility is the foundation of wisdom (Nescire est initium sapientiae), these objectives articulate the standards by which the University ensures educational quality, institutional effectiveness, and mission fidelity across its approved programs and instructional modalities. Institutional performance benchmarks, quantitative thresholds, and evaluative criteria associated with each objective are formally defined within the Institutional Assessment and Continuous Improvement Plan. At minimum, the Plan specifies (i) the metric definition, (ii) the data source of record, (iii) the analysis frequency, (iv) the threshold for acceptable performance, and (v) the required corrective-action pathway when performance falls below threshold.

Each objective is grounded in the University’s Declaration of Faith and reflects the integration of Christian conviction with disciplined academic inquiry, professional preparation, and service to God and society.

Objective 1 - Student Learning and Intellectual Mastery

AUS ensures that students demonstrate measurable attainment of clearly defined program learning outcomes through rigorous instruction, disciplined inquiry, and evidence-based scholarship ordered toward truth.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Program Learning Outcome (PLO) attainment measured through direct assessment using standardized rubrics with documented inter-rater reliability procedures or calibration practices appropriate to program size and modality.

  • Course-level Student Learning Outcome (SLO) alignment and achievement documented through curriculum mapping and assessment reports.

  • Student academic performance indicators, including course completion and progression benchmarks.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for learning outcome attainment, course completion, and progression are established annually and reviewed through the University’s assessment reporting process in accordance with the Institutional Assessment and Continuous Improvement Plan.

Objective 2 - Formation In Ethical Responsibility and Christian Moral Clarity

AUS forms students in ethical reasoning, professional responsibility, and moral discernment consistent with the Declaration of Faith, so that graduates demonstrate integrity in conduct, judgment, and vocation.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Institution-wide ethical reasoning assessment using common rubrics in designated courses or capstone experiences.

  • Documented student conduct outcomes and academic integrity practices.

  • Graduate self-report and employer or supervisor feedback related to ethical professionalism, where applicable.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for ethical reasoning and conduct outcomes are established through institutional rubrics and reviewed annually.

Objective 3 - Student Persistence, Completion, and Educational Success

AUS advances measurable student success by strengthening persistence, academic support, and timely completion aligned with program requirements and educational purpose.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Retention and persistence rates, including term-to-term and year-to-year measures where applicable.

  • Modality-specific persistence and completion monitoring (residential, hybrid, distance) with documented intervention triggers and student support actions.

  • Graduation and completion rates by program and instructional modality.

  • Time-to-completion and credit accumulation milestones.

  • Student satisfaction and utilization of academic support services.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for retention, completion, and time-to-degree are defined by program and modality and reviewed annually.

Objective 4 - Career Preparation, Professional Competence, and Vocation

AUS prepares students for professional excellence and service by ensuring graduates demonstrate competencies appropriate to their disciplines and are equipped for career advancement and constructive societal contribution.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Evidence of competency attainment through capstone projects, practica, or internship evaluations where applicable.

  • Graduate outcomes including employment, advancement, or licensure/certification results where relevant.

  • Employer and field feedback regarding graduate preparedness and professional performance.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for career preparedness and professional competence are informed by program expectations and external feedback and reviewed annually.

Objective 5 - Scholarly Engagement, Research Literacy, and Stewardship of Knowledge

AUS cultivates research literacy and scholarly competence so that students can evaluate evidence, practice methodological integrity, and apply knowledge responsibly for human flourishing.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Research literacy assessment through information literacy benchmarks and research methods performance.

  • Quality indicators for capstone, thesis, or project work using standardized rubrics where applicable.

  • Student participation in scholarly activities such as presentations, publications, symposia, or research initiatives.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for research literacy and scholarly engagement are defined through curriculum assessment and reviewed annually.

Objective 6 - Human Dignity, Community, and Equitable Student Success

AUS sustains a learning community that honors human dignity and strengthens equitable student success through respectful engagement, intellectual hospitality, and consistent student support.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Monitoring of student success indicators to identify and address avoidable barriers to persistence and completion, consistent with applicable law, privacy obligations, and the University’s published student support policies.

  • Student climate and belonging indicators measured through validated surveys or structured feedback.

  • Participation in community engagement and constructive civic or professional contribution.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for equitable student success and community engagement are monitored annually using approved institutional indicators.

Objective 7 - Institutional Effectiveness and Continuous Improvement

AUS advances student learning, formation, and success through systematic assessment, documented analysis of student performance data, and implemented improvements that measurably enhance educational quality and mission fidelity.

Measures of Effectiveness

  • Annual completion of program assessment reports demonstrating measurable student learning outcome attainment and documented improvement actions.

  • Documented “closing-the-loop” actions demonstrating implemented improvements and subsequent evaluation.

  • Evidence of governance oversight in assessment priorities and institutional improvement actions.

Assessment Cycle and Benchmarks

Benchmarks for institutional effectiveness and improvement actions are defined within the Institutional Assessment and Continuous Improvement Plan and reviewed annually by institutional leadership and the Board of Governors.


Institutional Integrity 

Mission, Vision, and Values 

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