Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs)
Under UMass Lowell’s Core Curriculum, students must have the opportunity to master each of seven Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs). These ELOs may be met within the major or through other courses, including courses that fulfill Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Consequently, all departments may identify courses within their majors that allow students to demonstrate particular ELOs, and submit these courses for ELO designation approval. Approved courses will be tagged in the catalog—in course listings and on Degree Pathways—and on Advisement Reports in SiS.
The seven ELOs are:
- Applied and Integrative Learning (AIL): Students can synthesize their learning experiences across the curriculum.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS): Students can approach problems and evaluate evidence to draw informed conclusions.
- Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA): Students can address complex questions about diverse cultural and social groups.
- Information Literacy (IL): Students can successfully locate, evaluate and use data to better operate in a complex global landscape.
- Quantitative Literacy (QL): Students can understand and express arguments using numerical data.
- Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE): Students can assess moral beliefs and practices to make a positive difference and contribute to a more sustainable global and local environment.
- Written and Oral Communication (Emphasizing Writing in the Discipline) (WOC): Students can mount arguments, marshal evidence, and deploy rhetorical devices, drawing on genres and styles appropriate to the discipline.
To find upcoming courses that meet any of these requirements, scroll to the bottom of the Course Finder to search Core Curriculum options.
ELO Policies
- 1000-level courses may be designated with no more than 1 ELO; 2000- and 3000-level courses may be designated with no more than 2 ELOs; 4000-level courses may be designated with no more than 3 ELOs.
- Interdisciplinary courses may receive ELO designations as well as a Breadth of Knowledge designation.
- A single course may introduce, reinforce and assess an ELO. Alternatively, an ELO designation may be assigned to the most advanced course in a series of courses addressing a particular ELO.