Content
Program Review - Academic Policy
Responsible officer: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer: Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Quality)
Approving authority: Academic Board
Approved: Academic Board AB11/328, 15 November 2011
Last amended:
Effective starting date: 1 January 2012
Any policies replaced by this policy: Program Review and Course Evaluation - Academic Policy
Related policies: Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing Policy
Related procedures: Program Review - Procedures
Due date for next review: 1 January 2017
Part A: Preliminary
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this policy is to ensure regular review of academic programs as required under the Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing Policy and in keeping with the University’s quality assurance and improvement processes.
2. Application of policy
2.1 This policy applies to all staff of the University of the Sunshine Coast and its decision-making and advisory bodies.
2.2 This policy does not apply to higher degrees by research.
Part B: Policy
3. Program review
3.1 Program reviews are an integral part of the University’s program accreditation and quality assurance system. All coursework programs offered by the University are subject to review on a seven year cycle. Oversight of these reviews is the responsibility of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
3.2 Program reviews will be conducted by a panel with an external chairperson and a majority of external members appointed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean.
3.3 Each review, which may encompass clusters of related programs, will be carried out according to a standard set of terms of reference, approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, encompassing:
- Alignment with University directions and requirements;
- Program purpose, organisation, structure, content and delivery;
- Curriculum renewal, currency and relevance;
- Academic standards;
- Teaching staff;
- Support staff;
- Physical facilities, equipment and library and IT support;
- Program management;
- Student experience, support and feedback;
- Program improvement, sustainability, viability and future; and
- Accreditation status.
3.8 The chair of the review panel will provide the Deputy Vice-Chancellor with a written review report.
3.9 The Deputy Vice-Chancellor will present the review report, and a faculty response to the report, to the Academic Board.
3.10 Academic Board is responsible for endorsing those elements of the faculty response that fall within its Terms of Reference and recommending them to the Deputy Vice- Chancellor for approval.
3.11 The Deputy Vice-Chancellor is responsible for approving the faculty response.
3.12 The faculty will develop a Review Response Implementation Plan, which will be provided for approval to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor within three months of Academic Board’s consideration of the Review Report and faculty response.
3.12 The faculty will submit updates on the progress of the Implementation Plan to Academic Board every six months from its approval until the Deputy Vice-Chancellor is satisfied that implementation has been completed.
3.13 The Academic Committees and Program Support Unit will maintain a program review repository which will include the Program Review Report, Faculty response to the review report, the Implementation Plan and Faculty progress reports.
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