Group and individual critiques form the basis for comprehensive assessment of student progress within particular courses
of study. All sophomore and junior-level students at the Hartford Art School are required to participate in a year-end comprehensive review of their progress in meeting the established goals within the school and their major. The purpose of the sophomore and junior reviews is mainly advisory, with faculty assessment of a student’s strengths and weaknesses fully shared with the student. This process provides the student with some direction for building on strengths and mediating weaknesses. In some departments, the sophomore and junior reviews are used to gauge the likelihood of the student’s continued success and development in a particular major. Students not meeting the minimum expectations of competence for the major may be required to repeat courses or be counseled to pursue another course of study altogether.
During the senior year of study, assessment takes the form of capstone experiences. These experiences vary from department to department and may include senior projects, senior portfolio classes, assessment by outside referees, juried departmental shows, senior thesis exhibitions, and/or participation in special opportunities, such as the University Scholars program.