Standard 19.8

Standard 19.8

19.8 Institution regularly reviews curriculum in order to ensure that the content is consistent with national norms.

Compliance:

As an example, the College has recently conducted a comparative curricular analysis of the Music Department. The Music Department utilized this analysis along with graduate and alumni interviews to make necessary changes to the program to maintain the relevancy of the program to our stakeholders. The curricular review began within the Department, was then presented to the Academic Dean who proposed revisions, then the Program changes were presented to the Board of Directors for approval. The process is defined for Department Chairs in the newly revised Faculty Handbook. This broader details of this process is under refinement, and on the agenda for the next Academic Committee meeting, there will be a detailed Program Development Review process discussed and eventually formulated that brings together assessment data with decision making beginning with the individual departments, various committees, and ultimately the Board of Directors for approval of any changes to curricular programs.

The Comprehensive Assessment Plan stipulates that each academic program undergo a comparative curricular analysis and in the future, any proposed changes be submitted to the Academic Committee for further review. Once approved, those changes are submitted to the President and the Board of Directors for final approval.

Here is the proposed schedule of program review:

Academic Program/Major Review Cycle

Documentation:

Exhibit: Curriculum  Review Music Department Spring 2016

Appendix D: Faculty Handbook 2016-2017, p. 26

Appendix I:  Comprehensive Assessment Plan 2016-2017