The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Policy # [####]
Academic Program Review (Appendix B)

Academic Program Policies and Procedures

Academic Policies Committee: Approved 4-4-13

Provost’s Administrative Staff: Approved 4-16-13

Faculty Senate: 4-30-13

Chancellor: 5-9-13

Academic Program Policies and Procedures

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Curriculum Policies and Academic Approval Procedures

Note: Curriculum approval forms are available from the webpage for the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s Office. Specific instructions for each course or program action are included on the forms. http://www.uwosh.edu/provost/resources

This document constitutes university curriculum policies and procedures. It provides the framework for changes in existing courses, additions or deletions of courses, and additions or changes to academic programs. These guidelines reflect the Revised Process for Program Planning, Review, and Approval in the UW system (August 2012).

TYPES OF COURSES: This University recognizes three types of credit courses: regular courses, trial courses, and contractual courses.

Regular Courses – A segment of educational activities formally organized into a common theme, which in total constitutes a central core of knowledge about a given discipline (or disciplines in interdisciplinary courses). Also included within this category are certain “experiential” courses, such as internships and field experiences, where the student’s primary educational activities are “practical applications” of previously learned principles and theories. University Studies Program courses and honors courses are within this category.

Trial Courses – The purpose is to experiment with new academic areas which the faculty want to investigate in the enlargement and /or integration of a discipline.

Contractual Courses

1. Independent Study – intended to allow a student to explore in-depth topics of scholarly interest which are not attainable through a “regular” or “trial” course. A contract designating the specific area of study and the required learning activities must be agreed upon by the instructor and student and approved by the college and Office of Graduate Studies, where applicable. Students then pursue the indicated topic of study independently with individualized guidance from the instructor.

2. Related Readings – intended to have an instructor become directly involved in probing assigned readings with the student in a tutorial relationship. The student pursues research usually well beyond that required in “regular” or “trial” courses. Before beginning the course, the student presents a bibliography of readings that he/she and the instructor have agreed upon and which are to be reviewed and discussed. The outcome is a formal paper evaluated by the instructor.

After a unit has a course approved as Independent Study or Related Readings, the decision to offer such a course to a particular student is made at the department or unit level and approved by the college and Office of Graduate Studies where applicable.

An undergraduate student may earn up to 12 credits in a combination of Independent Study and Related Reading credits toward the 120 credits bachelor’s degree. A graduate student may apply up to 6 credits of Independent Study and Related Reading credits toward the master’s degree.

COURSE NUMBERING

There are five course levels at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and each is recognized by the number assigned. Each level has a specific and differentiated educational expectation and purpose.

Non-credit Courses – Courses with the primary purpose of meeting special interests of clientele without formally holding the student accountable for subject matter learned during or at the end of the course. These courses may be structured to accommodate all subject matter.

Lower-level Undergraduate Courses (100-299) – Normally freshman and sophomore courses which provide basic skills, general understanding, and a fundamental foundation for advanced courses. Some lower-level courses have prerequisites.

Upper-level Undergraduate Courses (300-499) – Normally junior and senior courses which require a student to have sufficient academic preparation in the subject before being allowed to enroll in the course. Usually, this level course requires prerequisite courses.

“Dual-level” Undergraduate/Graduate Courses (300/500-400/699) – Junior, senior, and graduate courses which require that the course syllabus differentiate educational objectives and evaluation criteria required for students taking the course for undergraduate credit from students taking the course for graduate credit.

Graduate-only-level Courses (700-800) – Graduate-only courses which generally require substantial subject content background on the part of the student. Courses are structured so that a significant level of scholarship in the subject matter is attained by the student.

COURSE VALUATION

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offers courses for academic credit, courses for non-credit, and courses that award Continuing Education Units. (Faculty expertise is a primary source for determining course valuation.)

Credit Courses – Academic activities which require a student to study and/or participate in an instructional setting (classroom, internships, field experience, career service, testing laboratory, etc.) and which require a formal assessment of learning outcomes.

Non-credit Courses – The primary intent of non-credit courses is to meet the special interests and needs of citizens in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh service area.

Continuing Education Units (CEU) – These units of instruction and activities are also non-credit; however, a time requirement is connected with each CEU. For each ten hours of instruction and/or contact with an instructor, one (1) CEU is awarded. For specific criteria for CEU courses please consult the Office of Lifelong Learning.

COURSE LEVEL APPROVALS

New Courses: All new undergraduate and graduate courses need approval from each of the following: department, division (L&S), college committee, Graduate Council, Graduate Dean (if dual level), the appropriate College Deans, and the Provost and Vice Chancellor. Approval of the College Dean indicates no duplication of courses within the department or outside the department or college, and consultation with other Deans as appropriate. If any other Dean raises an objection to a proposal, the two colleges will work together to resolve the issue.

The Graduate Council ensures that dual level courses meet the requirements for graduate level designation.

New University Studies Program courses must be submitted to the University Studies Program Committee on the appropriate USP Form. Please consult the USP webpage for specific course criteria.

New University Honors Program courses must be submitted to the University Honors Council for approval. All new course proposals are documented on a Form A. Please consult the UHP for course criteria.

The approval process is summarized in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ACADEMIC COURSE MATRIX included at the end of this section.

Existing Courses-Changes and Deletions: Changes to existing courses are documented on a Form B. Simple changes that are limited to a) change in course number, b) title change c) simple description change that does not change course content or d) prerequisite changes related to a major in a single department may flow from the department chair to the Provost and Vice Chancellor without other levels of approval.

Changes – The approval process for changes in existing courses such as title, cross listing, level, revision, or credit value, is listed in the ACADEMIC COURSE MATRIX.

Deletions – The approval process for a department or college to follow in deleting a course from their curriculum is listed in the ACADEMIC COURSE MATRIX. Course deletions not related to changes in a program must be submitted on a Form B.

If the deleted course is one which is eliminated from a particular program curriculum, it must be noted on a Form C. This means that it is removed from the Bulletin and the Timetable. A deleted course cannot be “resurrected.” Any deleted course must go through the regular course approval process before it can be offered again. It must be noted on Form C when the course was previously deleted and the reason for that action.

The departments and college are expected to have a procedure for monitoring the frequency of existing courses, and the latitude to make decisions regarding future offerings.

Curriculum Policies and Academic Approval Procedures
Academic Program Approval

Following are definitions, criteria, and procedures for all academic programs within the university. Procedures for approval of new programs or changes in existing programs, with identification of appropriate forms for each action, are listed in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ACADEMIC PROGRAM MATRIX. UW System Revised Process for Program Planning Review, and Approval (August 2012) . This document is available on the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s website: www.uwosh.edu/Provost Proposals for new programs or changes to programs are documented on a Form C. All new programs must be approved through the Notice of Intent and the Authorization processes.

Major Program – An academic program which normally requires a minimum of 33 credits toward a bachelor’s degree or 12 credits toward a master’s degree; it culminates in the awarding of a degree to which the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has authorized entitlement.

Minor Program – An identifiable sequence of courses with a minimum of 21 credits required in a subject field(s) which has been formally authorized by the UW System Administration. NOT APPLICABLE AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL.

Emphasis Program – A program series of courses consisting of a minimum of 9 credits designed to meet a “specialized focus” within an existing Board of Regents approved degree program and for which the UW System Administration has given formal approval.

A specialized focus is defined by either the need of a clientele or an additional area of specialization recently developed by the discipline.

An emphasis is a curricular offering which is listed by title or caption in catalogs, timetables, etc. The term “emphasis” replaces all existing terms of track, option, concentration, collateral, and other variously used academic program terms, except for major and minor programs and certification programs.

Certification Programs – An identifiable sequence of courses approved by either a state licensing agency, such as the Department of Public Instruction, or a professional organization, such as an accreditation association. Credit hour minima are specifically set by each agency and/or organization.

Program Discontinuance – Action to eliminate a minor or emphasis within a major shall, in consultation with the Dean, be initiated at the department/unit level. Upon approval by a majority of the academic department/unit a memorandum of justification for the recommendation of program discontinuance and Form C shall be forwarded to the next level of review. The statement in support of program discontinuance must contain sufficient detail and rationale. Among items that the statement should address are enrollment trends, existing and projected faculty resources and expertise, present and future job opportunities for graduates, relevancy of the program in light of changing foci of the academic discipline, and recent program evaluations. The statement must include a plan by which students already admitted shall be provided the opportunity to complete the program. Key provisions of the plan shall specify the conditions and the timelines for completion of all requirements.

The process and forms to eliminate a certification program are the same as for a minor with the exception that the UW System Administration is informed of the action.

UW Oshkosh Academic Course Matrix
Approval and Review Levels

UW Oshkosh Academic Course Matrix

Approval and Review Levels

 

Academic Dept/Unit

Division (L & S)

Relevant College Committee

College Dean

Other Deans

Faculty Senate (After APC or USP)

Office of Graduate Studies

Provost and Vice Chancellor

New Course: Form A Y Y Y Y IO N  IA Y
Delete Course: Form B Y Y Y Y R Y R
Revise Course: Form B Y Y Y Y N N  IA Y
Revise Course: Form B Expedited* (simple changes) Y N* N* N* N* N  IA Y
USP Course Approval Form:

for adding a course to the USP (accompanies Form A for new or Form B if course is being revised elsewhere)

Y N N Y N Y N Y
Trial Course Attachment (accompanies Form A for new course) Y Y Y Y IO Y IA Y

Key:

Y= Yes~requires approval/disapproval action

N= No~requires no approval action or information

IO= Information Only~requires no approval action

R = Review only~requires objection/no objection notification

IA= If applicable~course would need Grad Studies approval if it was a dual level grad/undergrad course

*(asterisk) = Expedited Form B for simple changes. Simple changes are limited to a) change in course number, b) title change or c) simple description change that does not change course content, and prerequisite changes related to a major in a single department. The form may flow from the department chair to the Provost and Vice Chancellor without other levels of approval.

UW Oshkosh Academic Program Matrix

 

Academic Program Review Process

Academic program review will occur every seven years except for new programs which must undergo a joint System and institution review after five years as specified in ACIS-1. Every effort will be made to schedule reviews to coincide with scheduled accreditation visits. (Sections of an accreditation report with content comparable to any of the information requested below may be inserted unchanged in the appropriate location.) Also, opportunity will be provided for Deans and/or program faculty to identify programs that, for any reason should be evaluated out of their usual seven-year cycle.

Program faculty and Deans should seek evaluation by external consultants as a supplement to the internal self-study. Consultants will be selected by program faculty in consultation with the Dean and Provost and Vice Chancellor. Consultant honoraria will be funded by the Provost’s Office; other expenses will be funded by the Department/College.

The program self-study document should not exceed 25 pages in length (excluding appendices), using a 1 ½” left margin and 1″ right, top, and bottom margins, 12 pt font size, and double spacing. Both the document and appendices are to be as brief as possible.

GOALS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW

The program review process shall serve as a basis for program evaluation and for long-range curriculum and resource planning. Its goals are to:

I. Identify program goals, objectives and performance trends and relate them to College and University missions, goals, and societal needs

II. Document quality and adequacy of staffing

III. Analyze resource availability and utilization

IV. Evaluate strengths, weaknesses and needs

V. Recommend future directions

SELF-STUDY GUIDE FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW

The following serves as a guide for academic program reviews. Individual colleges may establish additional qualitative or quantitative criteria.

I. Description of program (Major, Minor, and Service Functions)

A. Statement of goals and objectives and their relationship to College and University missions and goals and to societal needs.

1. How does the program support the mission of the College and University?

2. How does the program serve to strengthen the Department, College, and University?

B. Description of the major/minor and emphases.

Insert copy from current Undergraduate Bulletin, excluding course descriptions. If Bulletin is not current, add approved changes to current Bulletin copy. Nothing else is to be inserted here.

C. Describe major changes in the program since the last review and list courses added or dropped since that time. Have these changes kept the curriculum current?

D. Program Performance

1. Trends relating to program performance for the past seven years. Insert the following tables which will be provided by Office of Institutional Research. Nothing else is to be inserted here.

a. Number of majors (head count)

b. Number of minors (head count)

c. Number of degrees granted

d. SCH production by department

e. SCH per FTE (if available)

f. Credits to Degree

g. Semesters to Graduation

2. Course Scheduling Patterns/Enrollment

a. Insert course scheduling patterns table provided by Office of Institutional Research.

b. List all department courses in the current Bulletin which have not been offered within the last three years and briefly explain why each was not offered.

c. Provide enrollment projections for the next five years (for the numbers of majors and minors only). Indicate data source/basis for projections.

E. Relationship to Other Academic Programs

1. Briefly discuss the program’s service mission. What accommodations are made for course needs of non-majors? Insert credit consumption by other undergraduate majors enrolled in courses offered by the department; table provided by Office of Institutional Research.

2. Identify any current or potential cooperative efforts between the program being reviewed and other programs.

II. Staffing

A. Faculty. Insert table of ranked faculty and continuing academic staff provided by Office of Institutional Research and fill in specialty column. Append a brief CV for each person listed above, to include at a minimum:

1. Credentials

2. Juried publications, papers, and posters; creative accomplishments; and funded grants for the past seven years

3. Sabbaticals during the past seven years

4. Involvement with field-based professional and/or clinical activities and service over the past seven years

B. Adequacy of Staffing

1. Insert table from Office of Institutional Research indicating changes in faculty by resignation, retirement, non-retention, etc. since the last program review (supplement table as necessary).

2. Describe problems, if any, in recruiting and/or retaining faculty. How have these problems been addressed?

3. Describe departmental teaching load policy.

4. List activities in which faculty currently engage without credit against teaching load, e.g., small sections taught as overload and independent study.

C. Describe clerical and administrative support staff and needs

III. Resources

A. Address the adequacy and quality of support services which are critical to the major/minor.

1. Library collections and/or services

2. Non-print media collection

3. Computing services

4. Testing services

5. Availability of appropriate physical facilities, equipment, etc.

6. Other (please specify)

B. Extramural programmatic funding

IV. Evaluation

A. Append any assessment of the program by external consultants or accreditation groups and your response to the assessment.

B. Describe results of assessment of student learning outcomes and how these results have affected the program, curriculum, and assessment procedures.

C. Describe evidence of student satisfaction with the program. Provide results of surveys of alumni and students.

D. Cite the placement and/or graduate program admissions experience of graduates.

E. Cite employer evaluation of graduates (where applicable).

F. Summarize areas of strength and weakness for the program.

V. Recommendations

A. List the recommendations of the Dean and Provost from the last program review and indicate actions taken in response to those recommendations.

B. Have any changes been made or proposed as a result of this program review? Please explain.

C. Indicate any additional recommendations regarding the future of the program, including support and resources needed. These recommendations should be based on the information presented and discussed in this program review.

SELF-STUDY GUIDE FOR GRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW

The following serves as a guide for the review of graduate academic programs. The Graduate Council and/or individual colleges, in consultation with the Graduate Council, may establish whatever additional qualitative or quantitative criteria they deem appropriate for use in their evaluation efforts. Qualitative factors are considered of prime concern in the academic review process.

I. Overview of the program

A. Goals and Objectives

1. Program

2. Relationship to mission for Graduate Studies on this campus

B. Description

1. Emphases, number of credits, and requirements for each emphasis

2. Admission requirements unique to the program

3. Process used for Admission to candidacy

4. Culminating experience requirement(s)

II. Program Performance/Quality/Evaluation

A. Data relating to program performance (use tables)

1. Number of students enrolled in program over a period of seven years (year-by-year data)

2. Degrees awarded (year-by-year data)

3. Average length of time to complete degree

B. Indicate changes and modification that have occurred since the previous program review.

C. Use standards of professional associations, accreditation bodies, and certification requirements when applicable for program review.

D. Provide the evaluation report of the program by external consultants or accrediting bodies and include a response to such reports. External consultants will be selected by program faculty in consultation with the Graduate Council, Dean, chief officer of the Office of Graduate Studies and Provost and Vice Chancellor.

E. Describe results of assessment of student learning outcomes and how these results have affected the program, curriculum and assessment procedures.

F. Provide evidence of student satisfaction with the program

1. Evaluation of the program by graduates

2. Surveys or other comments

3. Employer evaluations

4. Placement and/or achievement of graduates

5. Student evaluation of program

6. What have students identified as a major issue in the program?

G. Trends influencing the program

1. Describe the continuing needs for the program in terms of local, regional, and national trends.

2. Indicate the immediate and projected employment and career opportunities available to program graduates.

3. Identify key factors that may influence the future direction of the program.

H. Identify the primary strengths and weaknesses of the program relative to professional standards and quality.

III. Curriculum Management

A. Indicate dual and graduate level courses by number and enrollment by section in each course offered during the past seven years (use table).

# Sections Taught

Total Courses Fall Spring Summer

Dual level courses _____ _____ _____

Graduate level courses _____ _____ _____

 

B. Describe any special scheduling for part-time students.

C. Describe resources needed for the graduate program, and explain how they will contribute to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the program.

D. Indicate activities which faculty must engage in without credit against teaching load, e.g., small sections taught as overload, independent study, thesis advising.

IV. External Activities

A. Describe community outreach and/or in-service efforts.

B. Describe extramural or grant activities which have been developed for graduate program support.

V. Faculty

A. Describe faculty qualifications to teach graduate level courses–list courses and faculty expertise in those areas.

B. Describe the strengths, growth and development of graduate faculty.

C. Describe any changes in graduate faculty that have directly affected the program. How have these problems been addressed?

D. State the FTE (as part of load) that are assigned to the graduate program.

VI. Support Staff and Services

A. Describe support staff and needs that are related to the graduate program.

B. Address the adequacy and quality of support services which are critical to the graduate program.

C. Describe how Graduate Assistant workload is apportioned.

VII. Recommendations and Evaluation

A. Identify the strengths, weaknesses, and problem areas of the program as related to curriculum, productivity, faculty, support staff and services.

B. Make specific recommendations regarding the future needs of the program.

C. Establish timeline for implementation of recommendations.

D. Report progress toward the implementation of recommendations as part of annual program report.

 

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Academic Program Review Process

  • Unit/Department identifies self-study committee.
  • Self-study committee identifies external consultant(s) to be approved by the Dean and Provost.
  • Office of Institutional Research prepares quantitative data for program under review.
  • Program faculty completes self-study.
  • External consultant visits campus and completes report.
  • Program faculty committee(s) and chair complete program review assessment including response to consultant’s report.
  • College Program Review Committee reviews program assessments and makes recommendations with copies to the dean and department chair.
  • Dean reviews program assessment and college committee recommendations and makes recommendations with copies to the college committee and department chair.
  • If a graduate program, Graduate Council reviews program assessment and recommendations of college committee and college dean, and makes own recommendations with copies to the college dean, college committee, and department chair.
  • Academic Policies Committee reviews program assessment and recommendations of previous levels and makes own recommendations with copies to the college dean, college committee, and department chair.
  • Faculty Senate reviews program assessment and recommendations for information.
  • Provost and Vice Chancellor reviews all materials, recommendations, etc., and makes recommendations to the department with copies to the dean, college committee, APC, and Graduate Council (if graduate program).
  • Provost and Vice Chancellor prepares summary report for System Administration.

Revised August 2005

 

Certificate Program Review Process
Academic Program Review Process for Certification Programs

The program self-study document should not exceed 25 pages in length (excluding appendices), using a 1 ½” left margin and 1″ right, top, and bottom margins, 12 pt font size, and double spacing. Both the document and appendices are to be as brief as possible.

 

GOALS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

The program review process shall serve as a basis for program evaluation and for long-range curriculum and resource planning. Its goals are to:

I. Identify program goals, objectives and performance trends and relate them to College and University missions, goals, and societal needs

II. Document quality and adequacy of staffing

III. Analyze resource availability and utilization

IV. Evaluate strengths, weaknesses and needs

V. Recommend future directions

 

SELF-STUDY GUIDE FOR PROGRAM REVIEW OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

The following serves as a guide for academic program reviews of certificate. Individual colleges may establish additional qualitative or quantitative criteria.

I. Description of certificate program

A. Statement of goals and objectives and their relationship to College and University missions and goals and to societal needs.

1. How does the program support the mission of the College and University?

2. How does the program serve to strengthen the Department, College, and University?

B. Description of the courses in the certificate program.

Insert copy from current Undergraduate Bulletin, excluding course descriptions. If Bulletin is not current, add approved changes to current Bulletin copy. Nothing else is to be inserted here.

C. Describe major changes in the certificate program since the last review and list courses added or dropped since that time. Have these changes kept the curriculum current?

D. Program Performance

1. Trends relating to program performance for the past four years. Insert the following tables which will be provided by Office of Institutional Research. Nothing else is to be inserted here.

a. Number of program certificates granted

b. SCH production by certificate program

2. Course Scheduling Patterns/Enrollment

a. Insert course scheduling patterns table provided by Office of Institutional Research.

b. List all department courses in the current Bulletin which have not been offered within the last three years and briefly explain why each was not offered.

c. Provide enrollment projections for the next three years. (Indicate data source/basis for projections.

II. Staffing

A. Faculty. Insert table of ranked faculty and continuing academic staff provided by Office of Institutional Research and fill in specialty column. Append a brief CV for each person listed above only if they are not faculty or academic staff at UW Oshkosh. Information should include:

1. Credentials

2. Juried publications, papers, and posters; creative accomplishments; and funded grants for the past four years

3. Sabbaticals during the past four years

4. Involvement with field-based professional and/or clinical activities and service over the past seven years

B. Adequacy of Staffing

1. Insert table from Office of Institutional Research indicating changes in faculty by resignation, retirement, non-retention, etc. since the last program review (supplement table as necessary).

2. Describe problems, if any, in recruiting and/or retaining faculty. How have these problems been addressed?

C. Describe clerical and administrative support staff and needs

III. Resources

A. Address the adequacy and quality of support services which are critical to the major/minor.

1. Library collections and/or services

2. Non-print media collection

3. Computing services

4. Testing services

5. Availability of appropriate physical facilities, equipment, etc.

6. Other (please specify)

B. Extramural programmatic funding

IV. Evaluation

A. Describe results of assessment of student learning outcomes and how these results have affected the program, curriculum, and assessment procedures.

B. Describe evidence of student satisfaction with the program. Provide results of surveys of alumni and students.

C. Cite employer evaluation of program completers (where applicable).

D. Summarize areas of strength and weakness for the program.

V. Recommendations

A. List the recommendations of the Dean and Provost from the last program review and indicate actions taken in response to those recommendations.

B. Have any changes been made or proposed as a result of this program review? Please explain.

C. Indicate any additional recommendations regarding the future of the program, including support and resources needed. These recommendations should be based on the information presented and discussed in this program review.

1. Describe the continuing needs for the program in terms of local, regional, and national trends.

2. Indicate the immediate and projected employment and career opportunities available to program graduates.

3. Identify key factors that may influence the future direction of the program.

D. Identify the primary strengths and weaknesses of the program relative to professional standards and quality.

 

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Academic Program Review Process

  • Unit/Department identifies self-study committee.
  • Office of Institutional Research prepares quantitative data for program under review.
  • Certification Program faculty/Director completes self-study.
  • Program faculty committee(s) and chair complete program review assessment including response to consultant’s report.
  • College Program Review Committee reviews program assessments and makes recommendations with copies to the dean and department chair.
  • Dean reviews program assessment and college committee recommendations and makes recommendations with copies to the college committee and department chair.
  • If a graduate program, Graduate Council reviews program assessment and recommendations of college committee and college dean, and makes own recommendations with copies to the college dean, college committee, and department chair.
  • Academic Policies Committee reviews program assessment and recommendations of previous levels and makes own recommendations with copies to the college dean, college committee, and department chair.
  • Faculty Senate reviews program assessment and recommendations for information.
  • Provost and Vice Chancellor reviews all materials, recommendations, etc., and makes recommendations to the department with copies to the dean, college committee, APC, and Graduate Council (if graduate program).
  • Provost and Vice Chancellor prepares summary report for System Administration.

Faculty Senate Approved: 04-28-09