Students write a Learning Agreement (LA ) prior to beginning each KAM demonstration. The Learning Agreement serves as a blueprint for the KAM demonstration (comprehensive paper), describes the student's academic intentions, and acts as a contract between the student and the KAM assessor.  Students use the Learning Agreement to set specific learning objectives to be achieved with the KAM.  The following sections detail the policies and procedures related to the Learning Agreement.  In developing an LA, students should refer to the specialization information in their Curriculum Guide, found on the website, for identifying the purpose, objectives, requirements, and suggested bibliographies for each KAM.

 

Basic Components of a Learning Agreement

Cover Page (KAM title, student's name and program, assessor's name, name of first-year faculty mentor, date of submission to the assessor) and:

1. Overall learning objective(s) and outcome(s) of the KAM.
2. Outline of the Breadth component (one to two pages):
   1. Learning objectives/outcomes for the breadth component.
   2. Brief list (e.g., six to eight) of references (citations) consulted prior to submission of the LA.
   3. Description of the topics covered in the paper that will be written for this component.
3. Outline of the Depth component (one to two pages):
   1. Learning objectives/outcomes for the depth component
   2. Brief list (e.g., six to eight) of references (citations) consulted prior to submission of the LA.
   3. Description of the topics to be covered in the research articles selected for the annotated bibliography that will be written for this component
   4. Description of topics to be covered in the paper that will be written for this component.
4. Outline of the Application component (one to two pages):
   1. Learning objectives/outcomes for the application component.
   2. Brief list (e.g., six to eight) of references (citations) consulted prior to submission of the L.A.
   3. Description of the topics covered in the paper that will be written for this component.

 

Learning Agreement Assessors 

 

Members of the faculty serve as assessors for students' KAM demonstrations.  Because the Learning Agreement acts as a contract between the student and assessor(s), faculty assessors review and evaluate the proposed research and learning objectives outlined in the Learning Agreement and provide students with appropriate guidance before they begin their research.

 

Assessor

For the initial KAM demonstration, the first-year faculty mentor serves as first assessor.  Students normally select KAM I, II, or III as the initial KAM.  For subsequent KAMs, students choose the assessor.  When choosing subsequent assessors, students may wish to consult their faculty mentor, check the faculty profiles on the university web site, and consider faculty they have met at residencies.  These activities will assist students in choosing assessors appropriate for the particular KAM and topic.

Learning Agreement Approval Process 

 

Walden advises students to review the Learning Agreement approval process carefully.  Students who are attentive to these procedures will minimize the chance of encountering delays in the approval process.

Submitting the Final Version of the Learning Agreement

 

Students submit the final, faculty-approved version of the Learning Agreement, using the online (electronic) KAM Learning Agreement Form.  Assessors acknowledge receipt electronically by the next working day.

Evaluation by the Assessor

 

Upon receipt of the LA, via the use of the online LA form, the assessor is allowed a maximum of 10 business days (not including mailing time) to evaluate it.  If the first assessor determines changes are necessary, the assessor returns the LA to the student for revision.  If the assessor approves the Learning Agreement as submitted, the assessor forwards the LA and LA Form to Student Records.

Upon receipt of the Learning Agreement, etc., Student Records documents the assessor approval dates and the receipt date.

Evaluation by the Program Director

 

The student’s program director may elect to evaluate the Learning Agreement within five working days.  If the program director determines changes are necessary, she/he returns the document to the student for revision and informs the assessor of the decision.  The student, in cooperation with the assessor, makes the appropriate revisions and resubmits the Learning Agreement for evaluation and approval. 

Notification of Ratification of the Learning Agreement from Student Records

The Office of Student Records documents the final ratification of Learning Agreements and notifies students within five working days.

Learning Agreement Approval Process Policies

 

The following policies apply to the Learning Agreement approval process:

 

• Students may develop Learning Agreements for KAMs I, II, and III in any order.
• Students may not have more than two Learning Agreements outstanding at any one time.  Student Records will return extra Learning Agreements to the student until a KAM is completed for one of the Learning Agreements on file.

 

Learning Agreement Processing

 

Students should always keep copies of every Learning Agreement, evaluation form, and approval notification.

 

• Students are responsible for tracking their work.  Walden recommends that students keep a log of dates and correspondence associated with each Learning Agreement.
• Walden reminds students that each assessor is allotted up to 10 business days to review a Learning Agreement.  When using postal mail, students should allow for mailing time. 
• Students should wait for confirmation of Learning Agreement ratification from Student Records before beginning work on the KAM.