REG 02.90.01 – Assessment of Academic Programs

Authority: Issued by the Chancellor. Changes or exceptions to administrative regulations issued by the Chancellor may only be made by the Chancellor.

History: First Issued: July 8, 2014. Last Revised: November 10, 2021.

Additional References:

SACSCOC, The Principles of Accreditation:  Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Section: Student Achievement
SACSCOC, Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation:  Foundations for Quality Enhancement
Office of Assessment , Graduate School, Program Evaluation website
Flowchart Assessment for Academic Programs

Contact: Vice Provost for Accreditation and Assessment, Office of Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost (919-515-3062)


1.    INTRODUCTION

The purpose of academic program assessment is to enable the institution to systematically improve the quality of teaching and learning at North Carolina State University (“NC State”). Assessment results inform planning and decision-making and provide a gauge for institutional effectiveness.

NC State is committed to assessment that is meaningful, manageable, efficient, and useful for making academic decisions at the program and departmental levels and broader decisions at the college and university levels. After such decisions have been made and implemented, the University continues to monitor improvement through regular assessment.

Assessment is required by NC State’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For SACSCOC, assessment is the cornerstone of institutional effectiveness.

2.   APPLICABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Requirements

The University maintains an assessment plan for each academic program, including all degree programs and certificates recognized on official university transcripts.

The University also requires an annual assessment report for each academic program.

2.2 Responsibility for Assessment and Program Improvement

2.2.1 The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost (“Provost”) is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of assessment to fulfill the University’s instructional mission.

2.2.2 Deans are responsible for ensuring that every academic department and non-departmental program maintains current program assessment plans, implements regular procedures for assessing the effectiveness of programs, and submits annual program assessment reports.

2.2.3 Department heads are responsible for designating a qualified faculty member for each academic program who will coordinate assessment of that program and post an annual assessment report in the online submission portal.

2.2.4 Department heads, deans, and the Provost are responsible for ensuring that assessment results are used for program improvement at each level as appropriate.

2.2.5 The Office of Assessment and Accreditation and the Graduate School are responsible for facilitating the assessment process including providing assessment consultation, support, and resources, reviewing all assessment reports, and providing feedback to each program.

2.3 Reporting and Oversight

2.3.1 Department heads will submit an assessment summary to the appropriate dean.

2.3.2 Deans will review departmental assessment reports and summaries and submit college-level summaries to the Provost.

2.3.3 The Office of Assessment and Accreditation and the Graduate School will prepare an annual university assessment summary report highlighting strengths and areas of improvement for university assessment that is shared with academic areas and the Provost.