Distinguished - The paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement and conclusion that reaffirms the thesis.

Proficient - The paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement and conclusion that reaffirms the thesis. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement and conclusion that vaguely reaffirms the thesis. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The paper fully addresses the required elements of the chosen topic.

Proficient - The paper addresses most of the required elements of the chosen topic. Minor details are missing

Basic - The paper partially addresses the required elements of the chosen topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - The paper attempts to address the required elements of the chosen topic; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The paper addressing the chosen topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively applies graduate level critical thinking skills to the presentation of the information.

Proficient - Applies graduate level critical thinking skills to the presentation of the information. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially applies graduate level critical thinking skills to the presentation of the information. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to the presentation of the information; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The application of graduate level thinking skills to the presentation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively utilizes and synthesizes appropriate current research for the selected topic.

Proficient -Utilizes and synthesizes appropriate current research for the selected topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially utilizes and synthesizes appropriate current research for the selected topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize and synthesize appropriate current research for the selected topic; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The utilization and synthesis of appropriate current research for the selected topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly utilizes professional health care knowledge and skills and comprehensively applies them to the context of quality improvement and risk management.

Proficient - Utilizes professional health care knowledge and skills and applies them to the context of quality improvement and risk management. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially utilizes professional health care knowledge and skills and apply minimally applies them to the context of quality improvement and risk management. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize professional health care knowledge and skills and apply them to the context of quality improvement and risk management; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The utilization of professional health care knowledge and skills and the application of them to the context of quality improvement and risk management are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.