Frequently Asked...
Questions about Program Review:What is program review?
What is a program?
Who does program review?
When/how often is program review done? How long does it take to complete?
Where can I get further information about program review?
Are faculty or staff evaluated during program review?
What is the role of the Program Review staff?
What is the role of the Senate Standing Committee on Program Review (SSCPR)?
How is the membership of the program's review team determined?
How were the programs for the pilot reviews selected?
How are the external review team members selected?
How does Kwantlen's Program Review process compare with other BC / Canadian colleges and universities?
Are programs that are externally accredited still required to go through the Kwantlen Program Review process?
What is the outcome of program review?
Who receives the final report of a program review?
Who has access to the final reports of program reviews?
What happens after the review is completed?
What assurance is there that recommendations arising out of the review will be acted upon?
Program review is a systematic process by which educational quality and excellence can be continually improved.
It consists of:
• An internal self-study undertaken by program faculty and administrators
• An external review conducted by two panelists from outside Kwantlen, and one faculty member from another program at Kwantlen
• A final report which summarizes the self-study report and the external review and includes recommendations for future quality assurance
• An institutional response to the findings and recommendations, including a process to implement the recommendations
• A post-review follow up within one year
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Programs consist of:
i) units of study that result in a credential,
ii) units of study that constitute a major or minor,
iii) units of study that constitute a department.
Kwantlen has established a list of programs designated for review.
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Who does program review?All "educational programs and units of study under the governance of Senate" undergo regular program reviews, according to Kwantlen's Policy B.12. The policy does not apply to programs or units of study, such as non-credit Professional Studies offerings, that are not under the governance of Senate.
The review itself is carried out by a Program Review Team, comprising the Dean and/or Associate Dean,
chair/coordinator of the program, faculty member(s) of the program under
review, and a Program Review Facilitator.
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When/how often is program review done? How long does it take to complete?
Program review occurs once every 5-7 years, on average, and normally takes 12-18 months.
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Where can I get further information about program review?
Kwantlen provides various Internal Resources for those involved or otherwise interested in Program Review. A variety of useful materials and links can be found on our External Resources list. And feel free to contact the Program Review office for further information as well.
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Are faculty or staff evaluated during program review?
No. Program review is an evaluation of a program (e.g. the set of courses that result in a degree or a diploma). Program review does assess the collective expertise, currency and awards of faculty and staff.
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What is the role of the Program Review staff?
In general the facilitators and coordinator will offer support and direction for program review and renewal. They will:
• Facilitate communication across the college community
• Participate in ongoing education of Kwantlen personnel in relation to program review and renewal.
• Conduct or coordinate research as needed in relation to program review and renewal.
• Develop resources which support and promote excellence in program review and renewal.
• Facilitate the selection of External Review Teams, and assist the teams throughout their work.
• Participate in strategic and budget planning as required.
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What is the role of the Senate Standing Committee on Program Review (SSCPR)?
• Develops program review indicators and other policies which guide program review
• Approves the review schedule and monitors the progress of program reviews
• Accepts the internal self-study report, and submits it to the education council and the external review team
• Selects external review committee members on the advice of program personnel
• Accepts and reviews applications for exemptions
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How is the membership of the program's Review Team determined?
The Internal Self-Study Team will consist of the Dean and/or Associate Dean, chair/coordinator of the program, faculty member(s) of the program under review, and a Program Review Facilitator. Where appropriate, staff members and/or representatives from external stakeholder groups may also be included. Faculty member(s) may volunteer and/or be invited by their chair to sit on the self-study committee.
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How are the external review team members selected?
i) Two external experts, both of whom are academic peers from other post-secondary institutions or one academic peer from another post-secondary institution and an industry/employer representative, depending upon the nature of the program or unit of study under review.
ii) A Kwantlen Polytechnic University faculty member from a different program or unit of study, not currently under review.
The program faculty, through their chair, will submit potential names of external reviewers to the Senate Standing Committee on Program Review for their approval.
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____________________ How does Kwantlen's Program Review process compare with other BC / Canadian colleges and universities?
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) website provides "a comprehensive picture of the ways in which Canadian universities ensure the quality and integrity of their academic programs." Visit their site for information and further links on quality assurance and program review, both in general and for specific institutions.
All universities in British Columbia are subject to the BC University Act (RSBC 1996), and the BC University Amendment Act (Bill 34 RSBC 2008). Program Review is dealt with in Section 35.2 (6)(f) of each.British Columbia's Industry Training Authority Act (SBC 2003) deals with program standards and review for industry training and apprenticeship.
____________________ Are programs that are externally accredited still required to go through the Kwantlen Program Review process?
Yes, though programs undergoing review by an external accrediting body may coordinate this process and the work it entails with their regular Kwantlen review, to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.
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The Dean's office, in consultation with the VP Academic, will oversee the implementation of the action plan and will provide an update to Senate within one year.
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As specified by Kwantlen's Administrative Policy No. B.12, final reports will be distributed to the Archives; Vice-President, Academic; Vice-President, Strategic Services; and the Office of Institutional Analysis & Planning. In addition, a copy of each Program Review report is retained in the Program Review office.
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The report will be distributed to program faculty, staff and administration; the Board of Governors; Education Council; the Office of the Vice President Academic and Provost; the Office of Institutional Analysis and Planning; the Program Review Committee, and the Archives.
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Administrative Policy No. B.12 dictates that:
a. The Internal Self-Study Team will submit the final report, which comprises the internal self-study, the external report, and the action plan, to Senate, via the Senate Standing Committee on Program Review, for endorsement of the action plan.
b. Senate will monitor the implementation of the recommendations as outlined in the action plan.
c. The Dean's office, in consultation with the VP Academic, will oversee the implementation of the action plan and will provide an update to Senate within one year.
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Implementation of the action plan is guided by Kwantlen's mission and strategic plan and normally accomplished within existing resources, at the discretion and under the guidance of Kwantlen's leaders.
