What term describes the degree to which students understand course material?

The term that accurately describes the degree to which students understand course material is "mastery of course objectives." This term encompasses not only the understanding of the material but also the successful application and integration of that knowledge as dictated by the specific goals set for the course. Mastery implies a thorough familiarity and competence with the subject matter, signifying that learners have achieved the intended educational outcomes defined by the curriculum.

In contrast, while "academic proficiency," "learning outcomes," and "content comprehension" refer to related concepts, they don’t capture the complete picture as effectively. Academic proficiency can imply a general skill level across different subjects rather than a specific understanding of course material. Learning outcomes are the specific goals that educators aim for students to achieve through instruction, but they don't directly measure students' degree of understanding. Content comprehension specifically speaks to how well a student understands the specific material and does not necessarily convey the broader context of mastery regarding course objectives.