Assessment is the process of collecting, synthesizing, and interpreting information to aid decision making; it includes information gathered about students, instruction, classroom climate, and/or the institution. The assessment process results in feedback to students and the institution with a goal of improving the instructional process.

At Western, assessment begins as students enter the institution and continues after graduation. Students undergo placement testing in order to enroll in courses that best suit their academic abilities. As students progress through general education and course work in the major, they are evaluated on skills and disciplinary learning and, in turn, faculty use results to improve instruction and the curriculum.

The purpose of student and program assessment at Western is to improve student learning and program delivery. Assessment is an ongoing process; therefore, campus-wide and disciplinary goals and objectives must be determined, assessed, evaluated, and reported. Academic programs are assessed by external reviewers as well as by a thorough internal program review process.