Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Have Questions? We have answers.
Contact Us
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Community Engagement Outcomes in CEL
At MSU Denver, effective Community Engaged Learning (CEL) involves clear articulation of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Community Engagement Outcomes to ensure mutual benefit and deepen both academic learning and civic contribution. We encourage faculty to begin by identifying student learning objectives grounded in course content and then develop community outcomes in dialogue with community partners.
Defining Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes at MSU Denver
CEL courses at MSU Denver must incorporate four CEL Student-Based Learning Outcomes (CEL-SBLOs) (see full list in the Curriculum Manual, Section 5.04.01). In designing your course keep in mind the following:
Ask yourself:
- What do I want students to learn from this experience—academically, professionally, and civically?
- How can CEL deepen their understanding of course concepts?
- What personal growth or skill development might this facilitate (e.g., civic identity, cultural humility, communication, self-awareness)?
- Which of the four required CEL-SBLOs best map onto my course outcomes?
MSU Denver CEL Goals for Student Learning:
- Promote academic engagement through real-world application
- Support career readiness and professional identity
- Foster civic responsibility and public problem-solving
- Develop students as engaged, equity-minded citizens
Defining Community Engagement Outcomes
Community Engagement at MSU Denver
Community partners are co-educators in CEL at MSU Denver. Effective outcomes should be developed collaboratively and reflect community-defined needs, not assumptions.
CEL Community Goals:
- Strengthen reciprocal university–community relationships
- Center community knowledge and capacity
- Support goals set by community partners, not imposed by the university
- Connect campus resources (students, research, faculty, visibility) to community-identified needs
Ask in partnership:
- What is the community priority this course will address?
- Who identified that priority, and has the partner verified it as still relevant?
- How can students amplify the existing strengths and knowledge of the partner organization or community?
- In what ways might students contribute meaningfully (e.g., research, deliverables, outreach, design, consultation)?
- Are there links to broader systemic or structural challenges (e.g., equity, housing, education, environment)?
- Could the work align with regional equity frameworks or UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Resources for Aligning & Measuring Outcomes
Outcome Alignment
Outcomes should reflect both cognitive and civic development, moving from lower- to higher-order thinking (e.g., identify → evaluate → apply → disseminate). Consider using Bloom’s Taxonomy, the ABCD method (Audience, Behavior, Condition, Degree), or CEL assessment.
Suggested Questions for Alignment:
- How will you measure student achievement of CEL-SBLOs?
- How will community partners provide feedback on the partnership and student contributions?
- What types of student work (e.g., presentations, reflections, deliverables) will show evidence of learning?
- How will the course contribute to broader departmental, college, or institutional equity goals?
Resources for MSU Denver Faculty
- MSU Denver CEL SBLOs – See Section 5.04.01 of the Curriculum Manual for Undergraduate Studies
- Assessment Tools – Pre and Post Course Assessments for CEL courses
- Potential Student Learning Outcomes for Community Engaged Learning
Contact Faculty Engagement
Click the button below to connect with our team
Phone: (303) 615-1133
Email: CEL Program Manager: Nora Bashir
Explore Resources:
Click Here to Explore C2 Hub Faculty Resources
Navigate to our Office: