Program-Level Assessment
Academic Program Review Process
Academic Program Review is a collaborative process designed to continuously measure and improve the quality of all transfer and career programs provided to the community. Reviews are conducted on a five-year cycle to evaluate the quality and vitality for each program of study (including Degree options, Certificates, and Letter of Recognition programs).
The purpose of program review is to provide academic departments an opportunity to:
- Perform an internal evaluation of the current programs and services offered.
- Assess program and student learning outcomes.
- Ensure course content and methodology are meeting current and future needs of both the students and community.
- Measure the alignment of the program with the college’s mission.
All appropriate departmental faculty members must be involved in the review process.
All program reviews include feedback from current students, graduates, local community members, program-related associations, advisory boards, etc., as well as data from appropriate external agencies. All reviews must also address the Middle State Commission for Higher Education Standards 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 as appropriate to the program. Survey and course-level assessment data are collected and reviewed annually over the five-year review cycle.
Writing an Academic Program Review is a two year, five-stage process:
| Stage 1: Design and plan the program review. |
Fall – Year One |
| Stage 2: Implement the design collect and analyze data. |
Fall/Spring – Year One |
| Stage 3: Draft the report and develop recommendations and actions plans for improvement. |
Summer/Fall – Year Two |
| Stage 4: Present the review to ACP and begin implementing action plans. |
Spring – Year Two |
| Stage 5: Reassess/develop new action plans for improvement. |
Beginning Spring – Year Two |
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Components of the final review report include:
- Program Profile: Program mission, goals and outcomes, as well as information on the faculty, the student population, and a costs/benefits analysis].
- Program Content: Curriculum design and course work, any external accreditation, distance education, course-level assessment results, and program outlook [market trends, new opportunities, budget expectations, future needs, etc.].
- Program Outcomes Assessment: Perceptions of stakeholders, results, modifications/enhancements, recommendations and future actions.
- Executive Summary: Areas of collaboration, strengths and weaknesses of the program, action plans for improvement, a summary of the evidential data, and lessons learned].
Analysis of the assessment data is performed by the faculty in conjunction with the Director of Academic Assessment and recommendations are summarized and shared with the appropriate academic dean. Once the Division is satisfied with the review, the findings and recommendations are forwarded to the Academic Programs & Curricula Committee for consideration.
The Academic Program & Curricula Committee (APC) oversees the academic program review process. The role of the Committee is to review the reports for thoroughness, evaluate the vitality and quality of the program based on the data provided, and make recommendations for further consideration. The Committee also tracks implementation of proposed curriculum changes, schedules follow-up reports as necessary, and forwards any recommendations that may have impact at the institutional level to the Academic Programs & Assessment Council.