Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Dissertation • Graduate Assistantship • IRB

Learning Outcomes

Term from Higher Education industry explained for recruiters

Learning Outcomes are specific statements that describe what students should know, understand, or be able to do after completing a course or program. They are like promises made to students about what they will gain from their education. In job descriptions, this term often appears when hiring for roles that involve curriculum design, teaching assessment, or academic program development. Think of them as measurable goals that help track student success and program effectiveness. Similar terms include "learning objectives," "course objectives," or "student learning outcomes."

Examples in Resumes

Developed Learning Outcomes for 15 undergraduate business courses

Led faculty workshops on writing effective Learning Outcomes and assessments

Aligned course Learning Outcomes with institutional accreditation standards

Created assessment plans to measure Student Learning Outcomes

Revised program Learning Objectives to meet industry standards

Typical job title: "Learning Outcomes Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Curriculum Designer Instructional Designer Assessment Coordinator Educational Developer Academic Program Director Learning Assessment Specialist Curriculum Assessment Specialist

Where to Find Learning Outcomes Specialists

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you lead a department-wide revision of learning outcomes?

Expected Answer: Should discuss stakeholder engagement, alignment with accreditation standards, faculty training, and assessment planning. Should mention experience with managing change and building consensus.

Q: How do you ensure learning outcomes align with industry needs and accreditation requirements?

Expected Answer: Should explain processes for engaging with industry advisory boards, reviewing accreditation standards, and creating measurable outcomes that satisfy both educational and professional requirements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you write effective learning outcomes?

Expected Answer: Should explain using action verbs, making outcomes measurable, and ensuring they're appropriate for the course level. Should mention Bloom's Taxonomy and assessment alignment.

Q: What methods do you use to assess learning outcomes?

Expected Answer: Should discuss various assessment tools like rubrics, surveys, assignments, and direct/indirect measures. Should mention both formative and summative assessment approaches.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a learning outcome and a learning objective?

Expected Answer: Should explain that learning outcomes focus on what students can demonstrate after learning, while objectives are more about teaching goals and content coverage.

Q: Why are learning outcomes important in higher education?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their role in guiding course design, helping students understand expectations, and supporting program assessment and accreditation.