Framework and guidelines for graduate attribute assessment in engineering education

This paper presents a framework for assessing the graduate attributes mandated by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) and guidelines for conducting the assessment process. The framework includes leadership structure, assessment elements (performance indicators, curriculum map, and assessment schedule), assessment design (assessed courses and assessment methods), assessment data and results, and future program improvements. The presented information is based on the assessment conducted in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) at Ryerson University and the experience from other jurisdictions. Clarifications on addressing graduate attributes in the CEAB questionnaire are presented. The Faculty has eight engineering programs and seven science programs. The development of the assessment system was overseen by the FEAS Quality Assurance Council, which included several working groups and university representatives. The presented framework and guidelines should be useful to the engineering programs that are planning to start or have already started the assessment process.