03.600 UNCW Policy on the Review & Evaluation of Academic Programs

 Chancellor

 Policy number updated November 21, 2025, originally numbered 03.300; Established December 13, 2024

 UNC 400.1 - Policy on Academic Program Planning

• TBD

 Office of the Provost

Policy Details:

1. Purpose and Guiding Principles

   This policy outlines the guiding principles, responsibilities, and requirements that faculty and administrators will use to review and evaluate UNCW's academic programs. These reviews will promote the continuous improvement of the curriculum to ensure alignment with the mission of the university, the needs of the state and larger society, and student interest and demand.

   The guiding principles for this policy are as follows:

   Shared governance. We believe that the process of academic program review should be implemented in line with principles of shared governance given the critical role of faculty shaping and delivering the curriculum (see Code and UNC Policy Manual, 100.1, Chapter V, Section 502 D.2). We will work to engage all appropriate faculty governance bodies and stakeholders in the review process.

   Transparency. We believe that academic program reviews should be conducted in an open and transparent way. Therefore, we will share the data and decision-making processes shaping the reviews with relevant stakeholders.

   Multi-objective goals of academic programming. As outlined in our strategic plan, we believe that academic programs serve many different objectives, including educating students who will work to address societal needs; building a responsible citizenry; and cultivating an academic environment that transforms lives. We will supplement the minimum evaluation criteria outlined in this policy with the additional contributions that programs make to our students, our institution, and our state as we consider ways to further improve their contributions.

   Continuous improvement. We believe that all programs should strive for continuous improvement to better serve our students. Therefore, we will use program review processes to promote formative growth while acknowledging that summative decisions may need to be made about program viability.

2. Scope

   This policy applies to all credit-bearing academic programs offered by the university that award official institutional credentials. All academic programs as listed in the UNC System Academic Program Inventory (API) shall participate in annual assessment of program and student learning outcomes and in periodic program review as outlined in this policy and in UNC Policy 400.1. Assessment and review of non-credit bearing programs and other administrative university functions may be required according to university guidelines.

3. Definitions

   Academic Program: A sequence of courses and related activities that result in the awarding of an academic credential. At UNCW, these include programs listed in the UNC System Academic Program Inventory (API). Academic programs may have concentrations, specializations, licensure programs, and differences in delivery modalities.

   Annual Program Assessment: A systematic process of assessing, on an annual basis, an academic program’s achievement of designated student learning and program success outcomes.

   Periodic Program Review: A comprehensive and systematic process of assessing an academic program’s effectiveness and alignment with the institutional mission and relevance to the state of North Carolina’s needs.

   Learning Outcomes: Statements that specify what students are expected to know, be able to do, or value upon completing a set of learning activities, courses, or a program. These should directly or indirectly align with UNCW’s learning goals.

   Program Outcomes: A clear, specific declaration of what a program aims to achieve operationally and reflects the vision and mission of the program. It outlines the expected results or impacts of the program and is used to assess its effectiveness. Example measures within program outcomes may include student success rates, enrollment and completion trends, labor market demands, post-graduation outcomes, and financial productivity measures.

4. Policy

   1. Responsibilities

      Faculty
      Faculty members are responsible for developing and delivering academic programs, and therefore are best suited to conduct annual program assessment and the periodic program review. Faculty contribute their content expertise and knowledge of the discipline to set and measure student and program learning outcomes, ensure alignment with university goals, and facilitate academic excellence through continuous program improvements. Faculty consider current curricular and professional standards, state/regional needs, and appropriate labor market conditions in the development and revision of academic programs. When required, faculty will develop reports, submit findings, and implement recommendations from the results of annual program assessment and periodic program review.

      Academic Deans
      Academic deans provide strategic direction and curricular leadership, manage resources, and ensure academic rigor and fiscal responsibility for the programs within their colleges/schools. Academic deans promote and ensure faculty involvement in the annual program assessment and periodic review process of programs through appropriate workload assignment. Academic deans review the results of annual and periodic reviews to make programmatic adjustments and formulate recommendations to the provost for any needed actions.

      Provost
      As the chief academic officer of the university, the provost ensures the overall quality and integrity of academic programs and provides strategic direction to meet the needs of the state and region. The provost ensures institutional support is provided for necessary data collection and program evaluation. The provost helps direct the portfolio of programs offered by the institution and ensures continuous program contribution to the institutional mission. Upon review of the periodic program review, the provost makes recommendations to the chancellor for institutional investments or divestments to best achieve the academic mission of the university.

      Chancellor
      The chancellor provides the overall strategic vision and leadership for the university, and thus oversees all aspects of the university. Pursuant to UNC System Policy 400.1.2, the chancellor, either directly or through delegates, oversees the regular review and evaluation of all academic programs. The chancellor ensures that programs undergo continuous improvement, and is ultimately responsible for the expansion, contraction, or discontinuation of programs based on periodic programmatic reviews. The chancellor is responsible for all ensuing discussions with the Board of Trustees, the UNC System Office, and the Board of Governors.

   2. Review Cycle

      Annual Program Assessment
      Each academic program shall participate in an annual assessment of program and student learning outcomes according to the schedule set by UNCW guidelines.

      Periodic Program Review
      Each academic program shall undergo a comprehensive review at least once every seven years from the preceding review or from the time of their formal implementation by the UNC System Office or upon any such schedule as the UNC System President may prescribe by regulation. Programs accredited through programmatic accrediting agencies may be exempt from this review according to UNC System regulation and institutional guidelines.

      Ad Hoc Reviews
      Additional reviews may be conducted as necessary based on emerging needs or directives from the Chancellor.

   3. Review Criteria

      Annual Program Assessment
      In accordance with institutional accreditation requirements and institutional guidelines, the Annual Program Assessment review shall, at a minimum, evaluate student learning and program outcomes as determined by the program faculty. Programs are expected to demonstrate progress toward achieving identified measures of success with clearly identified action items for improvement when warranted. These annual assessment activities should further UNCW’s commitment to strategic planning goals and the achievement of campus learning goals. When appropriate and available, data adhering to required criteria in the periodic program review should be used in annual program assessment.

      Periodic Program Review
      At a minimum, the Periodic Program Review shall include a summary of Annual Program Assessment and all criteria established by UNC System Policy 400.1 and by UNCW guidelines. Programs may include additional criteria, for example, those required by program accreditation bodies.

   4. Review Processes

      Annual Assessment Requirements
      All academic programs as outlined in this policy are required to undertake an annual assessment of student learning and program outcomes. Program faculty, with appropriate support from institutional staff and/or units, shall participate in the process. Requirements include an annual review of learning and program goals, measures, targets, and anticipated outcomes. An annual report summarizing the assessment process, analyzed data, progress toward achievement targets, and actions taken or to be taken will be submitted via the university-identified platform. These final reports are due according to UNCW guidelines.

      Periodic Program Review Requirements
      All academic programs as outlined in this policy will participate in the periodic program review process as prescribed in UNCW guidelines. Program faculty, with appropriate support from institutional staff and/or units, shall participate in the review process. Requirements include a review of annual assessment results and all required data adhering to review criteria. The program faculty shall prepare a comprehensive report summarizing findings and providing recommendations for program continuous improvement, expansion, contraction, or discontinuation. External evaluation may be required for some program reviews as prescribed in UNCW guidelines. When required, the external evaluation shall be combined with the program self-study report to comprise the Periodic Program Review final report.

      Findings and recommendations from the Periodic Program Review final report will be submitted to the respective academic dean for consideration. Recommendations which warrant faculty governance oversight will be submitted as appropriate to the Faculty Senate University Curriculum Committee or the Graduate Council. Actions taken by faculty governance are subject to review by the provost. Final recommendations shall be submitted by the provost to the chancellor. Programs must submit, as appropriate, a follow-up report on actions implemented for continuous improvement approximately one year after the periodic program review final report.

      • Chancellor’s Action
        Based on the final recommendations, the chancellor shall consult with appropriate academic leadership (e.g., provost, deans, etc.) and faculty governance leadership regarding the findings of the report. Following consultation, the chancellor shall take appropriate actions as needed for program continuous improvement, expansion, contraction, or program discontinuation.

      • Periodic Program Review Summary Reporting
        Summaries of the Periodic Program Review reports and chancellor’s actions shall be submitted to the campus Board of Trustees for review. Final reports shall be forwarded to the UNC System President.

5. Effective Date

   This policy shall be effective immediately upon approval by the UNCW Board of Trustees.

6. Review and Amendment

   This policy shall be reviewed and amended as necessary to ensure alignment with university goals and state needs.