POL 02.05.07 - Academic Program Review

About this Policy

Authority:
Board of Trustees
Responsible Office:
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Accreditation
Date Established:
11-07-2024

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Consistent with UNC Policy 400.1, credential-conferring academic programs are required to complete an Academic Program Review (APR) at least every seven years from the date of the
preceding review, from the program's implementation date, or on such schedule as the UNC President may prescribe by regulation.
The basis for the Academic Program Review (APR) is the need to engage in a systematic review of educational programs for the purpose of continuous improvement to accomplish the
university's mission effectively. APR is the means to provide for constructive change in the university's degree-granting programs. The APR is viewed as a means for monitoring program quality and effectiveness. Also, APR adds to decision-making about resources and helps create a system of institutional accountability.
The program review process is an important component of the university's overall effectiveness/ assessment effort. APR builds upon the annual process of student learning outcomes assessment. In addition, it provides academic departments the opportunity to analyze and reflect upon data trends in enrollment, student success, resourcing, and other quantitative and qualitative performance measures. The objective is continuous improvement of academic programs.

1.2 The goals of APR at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke are to:

1.2.1 Maintain high-quality academic programs consistent with the university's mission, core values, and institutional distinctiveness statements,

1.2.2 Align academic program needs and campus priorities with planning and budgeting,

1.2.3 Identify programs' strengths and areas for improvement,

1.2.4 Foster a process of continuous program planning and improvement,

1.2.5 Provide a basis for long-term strategic planning, and

1.2.6 Assess student learning outcomes.

2. SCOPE

2.1 University leaders, faculty and staff senates, curriculum development committees, and members of the Boards of Trustees will regularly review existing academic degree programs to ensure continued alignment to state needs.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 UNC Pembroke defines an academic program as a coherent course of study leading to the awarding of a degree. These include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. These are listed in the UNC System Academic Program Inventory (API).

3.2 An academic program review (APR) is a systematic evaluation of an academic program's effectiveness and alignment with the institutional mission and strategic plan. The goal of an APR is to assess how well a program meets its stated purpose, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure alignment with the needs of the State of North Carolina.

4. POLICY STATEMENTS

4.1 Campus-level review of academic programs

4.1.1 UNC Pembroke will conduct reviews of all academic programs to promote academic quality and productivity and to assure alignment with the university's mission. Primary responsibility for the quality, efficiency, and productivity of academic degree programs rests at the campus level.

4.1.2 The Department Chair, Dean, Provost, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Accreditation will use the review results to guide university planning, determine program directions, establish objectives, shape institutional goals, and promote institutional effectiveness.

4.1.3 The Chancellor, either directly or through delegates, is responsible for overseeing the regular review and evaluation of all academic programs to ensure the maintenance of a sound and balanced educational portfolio that is consistent with the functions and mission of the institution. The Chancellor shall ensure that programs are continuously improved, expanded, contracted, or discontinued based on these reviews.

4.2 Academic Program Review Criteria

4.2.1 Academic Program Reviews shall evaluate:

4.2.1.1 Current and projected student demand, as measured by enrollments in the majors and degrees produced;

4.2.1.2 Current and projected work force demand, as measured by projected job growth and existing data on student employment outcomes;

4.2.1.3 Student outcomes, including persistence, graduation, time to degree, and, where possible, post-graduation success;

4.2.1.4 Program costs and productivity, including research, scholarship, and creative activity and student credit hours produced compared to the number and cost of faculty and staff;

4.2.1.5 The contribution of the program to professions that are critical to the health, educational attainment, and quality of life of North Carolinians; and

4.2.1.6 Any other considerations identified by the chancellor or by the President.

5. PROCEDURES

5.1 UNC Pembroke will establish and publish clearly defined procedures and schedules for reviewing academic programs and for ensuring continuous program improvement.

5.1.1 These procedures will describe the process by which the Chancellor, based on the results of an Academic Program Review, takes action to expand, contract, or eliminate an academic program.

5.1.2 These procedures will account for the faculty's role in shared governance regarding the development and review of the curriculum consistent with the authority and expectations of the Chancellor articulated in section 502D of the Code of the University of North Carolina.

5.1.3 Summary reports of all Academic Program Reviews will be reviewed by Boards of Trustees and then submitted annually to the President.

5.1.4 A review made for another entity, including but not limited to a programmatic accreditor or a professional licensing board, which satisfies section 4.2.1 of this policy, may be submitted to the President in lieu of a separate report. If a review made for another entity partially satisfies section 4.2.1 of this policy, the institution may supplement that review so that it satisfies section 4.2.1 of this policy and submit that supplemented review to the President.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE

6.1 This policy is effective when adopted by the Board of Trustees unless the policy or Board action specifies otherwise. Academic Program Review policies approved by the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees will be sent to the UNC System Office by January 1, 2025.

Related Policies:

Additional References: