Assessment Days enable the University to answer important questions being asked increasingly by students, parents, employers and legislators about what a college degree is worth and how it can be improved.

An important role of CARS is to work with the Dean of General Education and faculty to design ways to assess general education at JMU. The General Education Program "The Human Community" is the core academic program of James Madison University, required of all students regardless of their major or professional program. General education complements the major or professional program to provide each student with a full educational experience.

Every undergraduate and graduate program at JMU has a designated Assessment Coordinator, and a staff liaison from the Center for Assessment and Research Studies. These two people work with the department to design and develop assessment processes in every academic major, which are used for program improvement and accountability needs.

The Program Assessment Support Service within CARS provides assessment consultation and support to academic programs.

JMU alumni are surveyed to explore trends in student perceptions that may help to improve the undergraduate student experience. The survey includes general questions common to all programs as well as a set of questions specifically designed by major departments.

Each department in the Division of Student Affairs is charged with developing assessment plans and reporting on results regularly in the program review process. Most departments have evidenced tremendous improvements in program assessment over time by sharpening and clarifying student learning program objectives, implementing investigative designs and choosing or developing credible measures well suited to their program objectives.