Graduate Student Learning Outcomes

Trinity Western is a Christian, liberal arts University. As a Christian university, Trinity Western is grounded in the historical Christian tradition and seeks to unite reason and faith through teaching and scholarship. As a liberal arts university, Trinity Western prepares students to deal with complexity, diversity, and change by providing them with a broad knowledge of the wider world and helping them to develop transferable intellectual and practical skills.

The Student Learning Outcomes pertain to the whole University but it is recognized that they apply most directly to the undergraduate experience. The University’s graduate programs are diverse and highly specialized and thus support the University student learning outcomes through curricula which are appropriate to those specializations and the nature of the degrees offered.

Students within graduate courses of study are expected to:

Knowledge and its Application

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular field of study and/or profession
• demonstrate ability to apply knowledge and discipline specific methodology to solve unique problems
• demonstrate superior ability to identify and interpret new ideas and research in a specific discipline
• demonstrate superior skills in academic research, writing, and communication
• act as skilled practitioners to move beyond knowledge into practice

Cognitive Complexity

• show ability to carry out discourse and research as an active member of a discipline
• demonstrate the ability to “undertake inquiry and analysis, to solve problems with a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking and risk taking”
• give evidence of integrating knowledge and applying the knowledge across disciplinary boundaries
• give evidence of originality in the application of knowledge (master’s) and undertaking of research (doctoral)

Inter-and Intra-personal Wellness

• demonstrate a holistic awareness of their personhood, purpose, and calling within the context of the communities in which they live and study
• demonstrate an appreciation of the role of community in wellness.
• demonstrate increased professional capacity and autonomy
• demonstrate superior organizational and time management skills
• demonstrate academic and personal integrity

Aesthetic Expression and Interpretation

• consider and practice creative engagement and interdisciplinary thinking
• demonstrate the ability to engage in a dynamic educational environment within which intellectual and imaginative products are brought into relation with the most pressing human issues of our time

Social Responsibility and Global Engagement

• demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise and evaluate their discipline in a social context
• develop the ability to become socially responsive agents with a commitment to understanding global issues

Spiritual Formation

• demonstrate greater understanding of and connection to God’s work in the world
• utilize spiritual practices for self-reflection and the helping of others
• exemplify a Christian ethic in pursuit of truth, reconciliation, compassion and hope

Leadership

• demonstrate high level innovative expertise, collaborative knowledge and the capacity to inspire others and achieve results
• demonstrate academic proficiency to communicate effectively and to enter into conversation and constructive dialogue with others
• demonstrate integrity and humility in all matters