I. Purpose:
All academic programs and units at UAA are required to engage in continuous improvement processes that develop sound recommendations for program enhancements based on critical self review and performance evaluation. The review processes should determine if the program is:
- Appropriately aligned with the mission of the university and the academic unit where it resides.
- Effective in achieving its intended outcomes.
- Efficient in its operations and a good steward of the resources at its disposal.
II. Processes:
Three types of reviews of academic programs are performed at UAA. These include:
- Student Outcomes Assessment, an evaluation process where the program faculty review the published program outcomes and determine the success with which students have achieved those outcomes. Student outcomes assessments normally result in recommendations by the faculty for improvements related to program content or delivery. Plans for assessing student learning outcomes are prepared by program faculty and approved by their college. Active plans and outcomes assessment reports are filed yearly with the Office of Academic Affairs.
- Program Review (Special and Cyclic), a process whereby the faculty produce a self study analyzing program performance and engage a team of evaluators from inside and outside the institution to perform a comprehensive review of the program. The recommendations that arise from each level (faculty, review committee and dean) in this comprehensive review process are shared with the Provost and incorporated into the long range plan for the program.
- The Annual Audit, a two page evaluation completed by the dean and based on institutional data and personal knowledge of the program. The Annual Audit provides for performance and resource comparisons among the programs in a college and allows the dean and the program faculty to identify issues or trends that need attention.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Tom Miller, Assistant Provost
(907)786-1053
aftpm@uaa.alaska.edu
