Academic Program Review Policy

I. Scope

This policy applies to all IWU degree programs and stand-alone certificate programs.

II. Policy Statement

Every IWU degree program and stand-alone certificate program will undergo formal review on an established timetable, led by the faculty of the program. 

III. Reason for the Policy

The periodic review of academic programs is required to assure the quality and rigor of our academic offerings (HLC Core Component 4.A.1. “The institution maintains a practice of regular program reviews and acts upon the findings.”).

IV. Procedures

The IWU degree program and stand-alone certificate program review will include the following elements:

1. Evaluation of program intended learning outcomes, with modification as appropriate.
2. Review of student learning as reflected in student learning assessment data, with implications for curriculum.
3. Evaluation of program curriculum, with modification as appropriate, in terms of:
   1. Evaluation of program curriculum, with modification as appropriate, in terms of: evidence the curriculum is accomplishing its intended learning outcomes, as demonstrated in an aligned curriculum map and supported by annually generated direct and indirect measures.
   2. rigor of the curriculum at the appropriate degree level.
   3. currency of the curriculum relative to academy and/or professional norms.
4. Evaluation of program resources such as faculty, staff, facilities, materials, course scheduling, sequencing, and availability, and class sizes.
5. Assessment of retention, persistence, and completion as defined in this document relative to both academy-based and professional norms.

Programs that have external programmatic accreditation will be scheduled for review in accord with the timetable of the accreditor and the review process established by the accreditor will satisfy the IWU requirement as long as it covers the elements listed above.  Any IWU required elements not included in the accreditation review may be addressed in an addendum for IWU purposes.

Programs that are not subject to external programmatic accreditation will be reviewed at least once every five years.  The review must include evaluative input from external colleagues and stakeholders.

Within the bounds of this institutional minimum expectation, Principal Academic Units (PAUs) are free to specify systems and timetables for program review, including annual reviews, partial reviews, update reviews, etc.

A written account of the review process, outcomes, and recommendations will be submitted to the academic head of the appropriate Principal Academic Unit (PAU) according to the conventions of the PAU. The review schedule for all programs will be published to a master calendar maintained by the University Academic Affairs Office. Program review may be triggered early by indications of program distress or extraordinary circumstance.  

V. Definitions

Principal Academic Unit (PAU). The major academic structural units of the university. Currently there are three PAUs: the College of Adult & Professional Studies, the College of Arts & Sciences, and Wesley Seminary.

Stand-alone certificate program.  A stand-alone certificate program is one whose curriculum is not drawn substantially from a corresponding degree program.  An example is the Parish Nursing Certificate.  Certificate programs drawn substantially from a corresponding degree program are included in the review of the degree program.