1

Southern Connecticut State University

Graduate CouncilAcademic Standards Committee

Procedures for

Southern Connecticut State University

2

What is a A Program Review?What is a A Program Review?

A Program Review is a scheduled A Program Review is a scheduled evaluation of a department’s or evaluation of a department’s or program’s graduate degree program’s graduate degree program(s) according to prescribed program(s) according to prescribed standards set by the Academic standards set by the Academic Standards Committee (ASC) with the Standards Committee (ASC) with the approval of the University’s Graduate approval of the University’s Graduate Council.Council.

3

What is the Department’s What is the Department’s Responsibility?Responsibility?

Each department/program is Each department/program is responsible for conducting a responsible for conducting a self-self-studystudy of its graduate degree of its graduate degree program(s) in program(s) in strict accordancestrict accordance with the standards set by the with the standards set by the Academic Standards Committee.Academic Standards Committee.

4

What is a Self-Study?What is a Self-Study?

• A process, not an EVENT.

• Reflects a commitment to providing students with a quality educational experience.

• A form of assessment.

• Describes, evaluates, and subsequently improves the quality of a degree program.

• An unwavering commitment to quality improvement.

5

What is the Self-Study What is the Self-Study Process?Process?

• A systematic and thorough examination of all of a program’s components in light of its stated MISSION.

•Allows a program to determine the success it is having in accomplishing its self-established goals and objectives through careful evaluation of input obtained from individuals and groups directly and indirectly involved with the program.

•Involves the identification of a program's strengths and weaknesses

•Delineates a time-phased, action plan necessary to address weaknesses and sustain successes.

6

What is the Outcome of What is the Outcome of the Self-Study? the Self-Study?

The Program ReportThe Program Report

Program Review

Department

X

May 20___

7

What must the What must the Report Contain?Report Contain?

• The Report is a stand-alone, written The Report is a stand-alone, written

account of the outcomes of the self-account of the outcomes of the self-study. study.

• It contains the It contains the department’s/program’s responses to department’s/program’s responses to each of the ASC standards with each of the ASC standards with required, supportive documentation.required, supportive documentation.

8

1.1. Failure to respond to each standard with Failure to respond to each standard with all required documentation.all required documentation.

2.2. Submission of incomplete or inaccurate Submission of incomplete or inaccurate data (i.e., admission data based on data (i.e., admission data based on graduate applications received versus graduate applications received versus completed files).completed files).

3.3. Confusion regarding program goals and Confusion regarding program goals and expected student outcomes.expected student outcomes.

4.4. Presentation of inappropriate measures Presentation of inappropriate measures for student outcomes (should include for student outcomes (should include measures beyond grades and course measures beyond grades and course completions)completions)

5.5. Failure to identify the source of student Failure to identify the source of student outcomes.outcomes.

12 Most Common 12 Most Common ErrorsErrors

9

6.6. Lack of evidence that admission criteria Lack of evidence that admission criteria are part of the actual admission process.are part of the actual admission process.

7.7. Failure to provide rubrics for decision-Failure to provide rubrics for decision-making (i.e., admissions, grading of making (i.e., admissions, grading of culminating experiences, etc.).culminating experiences, etc.).

8.8. Failure to provide specific advisement Failure to provide specific advisement and tracking procedures.and tracking procedures.

9.9. Failure to address the Program’s last Failure to address the Program’s last time-phased action plan.time-phased action plan.

10.10. Failure to provide sample course syllabi Failure to provide sample course syllabi that meet the Minimal Elements in a that meet the Minimal Elements in a Graduate Syllabus.Graduate Syllabus.

12 Most Common 12 Most Common Errors, Cont’dErrors, Cont’d

10

11.11. Failure to provide evidence of a Failure to provide evidence of a process of systematic assessment.process of systematic assessment.

12.12. Failure to provide a time-Failure to provide a time-phased action plan for quality phased action plan for quality Program improvement.Program improvement.

12 Most Common Errors, 12 Most Common Errors, Cont’dCont’d

11

What is the Purpose What is the Purpose of the Appearance of the Appearance

Before the ASC Committee?Before the ASC Committee?

12

It’s Not It’s Not an Inquisitionan Inquisition

13

It’s Not It’s Not an Interrogationan Interrogation

14

It’s an Opportunity It’s an Opportunity to Seek Clarificationto Seek Clarification

The appearance before The appearance before colleaguescolleagues on the on the ASC provides: ASC provides:

• committee members with an opportunity committee members with an opportunity to seek clarification of items in the self-to seek clarification of items in the self-study report so that their decisions are study report so that their decisions are based on accurate information.based on accurate information.

• departments/programs with feedback that departments/programs with feedback that can strengthen programs.can strengthen programs.

15

What are the Possible What are the Possible Outcomes of the ASC Review?Outcomes of the ASC Review?

Continuing Conditional

21

NotAccepted

Interim Report

Accepted

3

4Recommendation toDiscontinue Program

16

1.1. Clearly stated program mission and goalsClearly stated program mission and goals2.2. Clearly stated expected student outcomes Clearly stated expected student outcomes

and methods of measurementand methods of measurement3.3. Specific entry and exit requirements Specific entry and exit requirements

[Rubrics][Rubrics]4.4. Appropriate number of qualified students Appropriate number of qualified students

[Completed files only][Completed files only]5.5. A clear presentation of statistical data A clear presentation of statistical data

concerning admissionsconcerning admissions [three-year average [three-year average of at least 10/year), of at least 10/year), graduationsgraduations [three-year [three-year average of at least 3/year], average of at least 3/year], courses courses cancelled, and other relevant statisticscancelled, and other relevant statistics

What are the Standards?What are the Standards?

17

6.6. Student advisementStudent advisement [published office hours consistent [published office hours consistent with course offerings] with course offerings] and tracking proceduresand tracking procedures [three to [three to five year course rotation plan is published and followed. five year course rotation plan is published and followed. Sufficient courses are scheduled each semester to permit Sufficient courses are scheduled each semester to permit a matriculated student to follow his or her planned a matriculated student to follow his or her planned program of full or part time, and some provision for program of full or part time, and some provision for summer coursework].summer coursework].

7.7. A clear statement of students’ rights and responsibilitiesA clear statement of students’ rights and responsibilities

8.8. Appropriate number of qualified facultyAppropriate number of qualified faculty [at least three [at least three qualified, tenure track faculty are teaching in the qualified, tenure track faculty are teaching in the program on a regular rotation; no faculty member program on a regular rotation; no faculty member teaches a majority of the courses (excluding thesis, teaches a majority of the courses (excluding thesis, special project and IDS) in a typical students’ program] special project and IDS) in a typical students’ program] [at least one tenure track faculty member who holds the [at least one tenure track faculty member who holds the appropriate degree in the discipline is responsible for the appropriate degree in the discipline is responsible for the program. There is an appointed coordinator with program. There is an appointed coordinator with sufficient reassigned time to carry out these sufficient reassigned time to carry out these responsibilities] [Use Template]responsibilities] [Use Template]

What are the Standards?What are the Standards?

18

9.9. A consistently high level of instruction and A consistently high level of instruction and assignments assignments [See Minimum Elements – slide 19][See Minimum Elements – slide 19]

10.10. Evidence of faculty and student research, Evidence of faculty and student research, scholarship, and/or creative activityscholarship, and/or creative activity

11.11. A climate of intellectual/professional curiosity A climate of intellectual/professional curiosity and achievementand achievement

12.12. Adequate library resources for graduate studyAdequate library resources for graduate study

13.13. Adequate non-print resources, such as audio-Adequate non-print resources, such as audio-visual, computers, labs, practicavisual, computers, labs, practica

14.14. Periodic review and evaluation proceduresPeriodic review and evaluation procedures

What are the Standards?What are the Standards?

19

15.15. Regular and systematic alumni follow-upRegular and systematic alumni follow-upa.a. Systematic Systematic data concerning graduatesdata concerning graduates in regularly in regularly obtained, obtained, reviewed, and used to improve the reviewed, and used to improve the program [demographic program [demographic and statistical and statistical documentation of the ability of the program documentation of the ability of the program to to sustain itself effectively]sustain itself effectively]

b.b. Presentation of the results of the Presentation of the results of the graduate program graduate program survey survey by studentsby students

c.c. Presentation of the results of the Presentation of the results of the graduate program graduate program survey survey by facultyby faculty

d.d. Evidence of analysis of a-cEvidence of analysis of a-c

e.e. Relationship between graduate and undergraduate Relationship between graduate and undergraduate programsprograms

What are the Standards?What are the Standards?

20

16.16. Analysis of program strengths and Analysis of program strengths and weaknesses weaknesses

17.17. Action plan for the future Action plan for the future [Use Template][Use Template]

What are the Standards?What are the Standards?

21

Graduate Course SyllabiGraduate Course SyllabiRequired Element Description

Course # and title Must match graduate course catalog or course approval form Instructor Name of instructor; Location of course; Day and time of

course; Office location; Office hours; Telephone and Fax numbers; Office hours must be convenient for students

Prerequisite requirements

Courses; experiences; skills; permission; level; other

Course description Must match graduate catalog or course approval form Course objectives/learner outcomes/competencies Methods of assessment

Stated in terms of knowledge and skill to be attained Must be matched to learner outcomes/competencies

Modes of instruction Includes listening to lectures, participating in discussions, discussing cases, doing research, reading assignments, completing laboratory work, field work, receiving critiques of individual and/or group projects.

Course content outline Typically by class session including appropriate correlation to text, chapters, journal articles, case studies.

Course requirements Includes text, attendance policy, class participation, readings, papers, projects, reports, lab work, technological competencies, and any other performance expectations. Must related directly to achievement of objectives/learner outcomes described in item 5.

Evaluation and grading Includes frequency and types of examinations and other elements that will form the basis of grade. Include weight given to each element. Link evaluation to competencies.

Current bibliography Must be up-to-date Accommodation statement Sample Statement

"I believe in providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities on an individualized and flexible basis. If you are a student with a documented disability, the university's Disability Resource Center (DRC) determines appropriate accommodations through consultation with the student. Before you may receive accommodations in this class, you will need to make an appointment with the Disability Resource Center, located in EN C-105A. To speak with me about other concerns, such as medical emergencies or arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment as soon as possible.

Academic honesty policy Sample Statement

(p. 37 of the School of Graduate Studies 2009-2010 Catalog and the Department’s brochure entitled “Academic Standards and Program Regulations”): “The integrity of scholarship is the cornerstone of the academic and social structure of the University. It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of graduate academic life, related in whatever fashion to the University, shall be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner. Violations of academic honesty are grounds for a failing grade and may result in dismissal from the School of Graduate Studies.”

22

SummarySummary

It is expected that department’s will:It is expected that department’s will:

• Conduct an ongoing and thorough Conduct an ongoing and thorough program assessmentprogram assessment

• Submit a written report in strict adherence Submit a written report in strict adherence to ASC standards and requests for specific to ASC standards and requests for specific documentationdocumentation

• Appear before the ASC to respond to Appear before the ASC to respond to questionsquestions