Course Evaluations

The Office of Institutional Research and Testing is responsible for conducting course evaluations each fall and spring term.

Note: IRT does not specify who will be evaluated or when, or determine the questions on the survey form. See the Policies & Procedures page for more details.

Course evaluation results are used by faculty to improve teaching. In addition, they are a significant component of the performance review process, which includes reviews for tenure and promotion.

• Instructors use feedback from course evaluations to improve their teaching and the overall experience of a course.

• Department chairs use feedback from course evaluations to help instructors improve their teaching and make changes to the course and/or program that is being delivered.

• In many cases, course evaluations provide the only opportunity for students to provide feedback to instructors on how courses might be improved.

In addition to using the standard paper course evaluations, the University utilizes a web-based student end-of-course evaluation system, which is hosted by an off-site vendor known as EvaluationKIT. Evaluation KIT uses a secure server that ensures the anonymity and security of all data. The electronic course evaluation system is easy, convenient, secure, anonymous, and confidential. EvaluationKIT is integrated into the University's BlackBoard course management system, which provides easy access for both instructors and students.