1. Demonstrating Program Viability and Sound Success Strategies for Degree Granting Institutions May 3, 2017

2. Presented on behalf of the Program Review Committee Dr
Presented on behalf of the Program Review Committee Dr. Julie Basler ACCSC School Commissioner Chair of Program Review Committee

3. Planning a New Degree Beginning the Process
The Conversation Begins: A New Degree?
Reasons for the New Degree
How a School Decides on the Degree Area
Internal vs. External Reasons for the New Degree
Realistic Work Commitment from a School
Realistic Time Frame

4. Planning a New Degree-Consider the Standards
Section II (A) (2), Substantive Standards
Explain in detail the reason or basis for offering of the proposed degree program
Be specific here about why this program needs to be at a degree level
Consider a program level review (compare to other programs in your area and other programs across the nation)
How will your community be impacted by this degree?
How is your proposed program different from similar programs?
How is the curriculum different in the degree program besides adding general education?

5. Planning a New Degree-Consider the Standards
Section II (A) (2), Substantive Standards
Explain how the curriculum is consistent with the mission of the school and the school’s goals and objectives
Does the proposed program align with the school’s mission and goals?
How is the proposed program consistent with the mission?
How will the proposed program be included in IAIP measurements?
Short term vs. long term planning

6. Planning a New Degree-Consider the Standards
Section II (A) (2), Substantive Standards
Provide a detailed justification as to how completing this degree would benefit students
If this program is currently offered at the certificate level, how does a degree enhance the student’s ability for employment?
What’s the difference between the same or similar program (certificate vs. degree)
How does completing a degree impact gainful employment?
Consider the ratio of the cost for the program vs. entry level salary

7. Reason for Offering Program Curriculum Consistent with Mission
Benefit to Students
Planning can NOT occur in an administrative vacuum. Involve the people at your school. Take the application questions and consider writing them into interrogatives.
Example: Describe how the school……
How do we prove that we can…….

8. Planning a New Degree-Consider the Standards
Section II (A) (2), Substantive Standards
Provide a detailed narrative regarding the school’s:
Assessment of Program Viability
How the Program Meets the Needs of Students and Employees
Local Employment Outlook
The Need for Training
Socioeconomic Factors in the Area that may Affect the Proposed Program’s Outcomes

9. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
New Program
What will be evaluated?
What criteria will be used?
How is success measured?
Available Evidence
Assessment of Program Viability
Fight the temptation to take existing courses “as is” from a diploma program and reuse them in original form.
The question here becomes: Why does a student need to take the same course in a degree program?

10. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
Program Meets the Needs of Students and Employers
Student Needs Training
Employer Needs Qualified People
Gainfully Employed

11. Today Future Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
Local Employment Outlook
Upon Graduation
Initial Employment
Today
1 Year
3 Years
Looking Ahead
Future

12. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
The Need for Training
Student Training
Community Need
What are examples of internal and external resources that might help validate?
Internal: individuals from the subject/program area that perhaps work at your school already, student course feedback, connections your faculty and staff have with industry professionals
External: Subject-matter specialists, technicians, employers, PAC members, professional societies, local community colleges/universities, trade associations, alumni, and state regulators

13. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
Socioeconomic Factors that May Affect Program Outcomes
IAIP and Strategic Goals
Approval process and other requirements
Clear SOC Code Identified
Employment Trends Overall in Community
Importance of Clear Outcomes

14. Sample Items to Consider for Program Viability
An overview to tie proposed program to College mission, the needs of students and community, and the instructional resources the school has or plans to incorporate
Program outcomes and program effectiveness

15. Sample Items to Consider to Program Viability
IAIP clear measurements which include new program
PAC recommendations that are clear and relevant to the program
Timeline of approvals and processes involved that are realistic

16. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
Questions to Consider:
What is expected enrollment?
Is the need for this skill set (degree) needed nationally, regionally, in your community?
Is the field growing? Staying static? (nationally, regionally, and in your community)

17. Justification of the Proposed Degree Program
Questions to Consider:
Tuition vs. entry level salary-is it worth it?
Do you have the correct people in place? The correct services ready?
Will your school culture support the new program? If yes, how?

18. Educational Administration
infrastructure
Educational Administration
Dir of Education
Program Chair
LRS Coordinator
Faculty
Qualifications
Student Services
What is Needed?
How will this Change Existing Culture?
Facilities, Equipment & LRS

19. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Program Design
Program Design & Development
Established process for the design and development of the school’s training
Program Length & Organization
Appropriate to enable students to acquire skills necessary for initial employment
Curriculum
Detailed and organized instructional outlines and course syllabi for each program
Equipment
Comprehensive and reflect occupational practice; sufficient to meet student needs; properly maintained
Program Evaluation
Systematic and evidence-based process to evaluate and revise curriculum and course content – programmatic outcomes assessment
Facilities Equipment & LRS

20. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Culture Change
Evaluate Curriculum
Future Budget Allocations
Facilities (Need to Expand)
External Help PAC
Systematic and evidence-based to evaluate curriculum and content
Program Evaluation
Facilities Equipment & LRS
What’s being measured?
What method is being used?
When should component be measured?
Initiated by?
Benchmark or expected level of achievement?
Documentation and the findings

21. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
The Importance of PAC
Independent PAC for the new program (very clear and thoughtful review prior to submission)
Purpose is to review the established curricula, program materials, equipment, facilities and student achievement in order to provide the institution with an external review of its programs
Three (3) representatives from employment community, general education at program conception, and distance education if applicable
Two (2) meetings annually, one of which must be held at the institution.
To begin, what is needed?
Written and detailed minutes are maintained and include a clear and comprehensive description of the review and commentary made by the PAC.
Facilities Equipment & LRS

22. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Existing Services are Not Enough
Services (Fiscal, Physical, Emotional Well-Being)
Academic Services and Enhanced Career Services
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Student Services

23. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Learning Resource System
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Must include all materials that support a student’s educational experience and enhance a school’s educational programs:
Libraries
Texts
Electronic Resources
Internet Access
May be centralized or decentralized, but must be easily and readily accessible to students

24. infrastructure Learning Resource System
An Institution must have written polices and procedures for the ongoing development of its learning resource system.
Managed by Qualified School Personnel with Sufficient Experience
Must Include Materials Commensurate with Level of Education Provided:
Research Journals & Databases
Text & Periodicals
Electronic Resource Technologies
Integrated into Schools Curriculum
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Must include all materials that support a student’s educational experience and enhance a school’s educational programs:

25. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Class Expert: Just because someone teaches in a certificate program doesn’t mean they are qualified to serve in the degree program
Class Manager: New programs require your A team! Bring your very best to build the reputation of the program from the beginning.
Meeting Requirements: Meeting requirements is the first step. Selecting experts is the second. Training them to be extraordinary in the classroom is the third step.
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Faculty Qualifications
If faculty information is not available, submitting specific hiring criteria and timelines when faculty will be hired is fine, but be very specific about the ideal candidate for the job.

26. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Student Advisement Plans
Faculty Development and Improvement Plans
Clear and Consistent Outcomes
Academic Support Systems in Place
Talking with Other Programs About Anticipating What to Encounter
“Keep the Plates Spinning”-Don’t Forget Your Other Programs
Spreading Faculty and Resources Too Thin
Faculty/Student Interaction
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Faculty
Student

27. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Management and Administration
Student
Graduate
Support Staff
Leadership
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Sufficient Educational Administration
Director of Education
Program Head (Lead Faculty, Department Head)
Meeting Degree Requirements is Needed, but Experience is Key
Clear Organizational Chart
Students Want Their Needs Met Now-How to Handle

28. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Potential Applicant
Enrolled
Successful Student
Graduate
Employed Citizen
Admission Requirements
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Numbers Don‘t Necessarily Equate to Success
Admissions Requirements and Procedures-What is the Standard in the Proposed Field?
A Clear Outline in a Draft Catalog Presentation

29. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Administrative Support Staff
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Career Services
Student Services
Financial Aid
Admissions
A New Degree Requires a Lot of Support
When Creating a Proposed Budget-Do you need to consider allocations for additional staff?
Do you have a staff that is supportive of the proposed program?
Do you have a staff that is trained to work with potential applicants, students, and graduates of the proposed program?

30. Facilities Equipment & LRS
infrastructure
Successful Design
Successful Externship
Externship (if Applicable)
Facilities Equipment & LRS
Written Training Plan
On-Site Evaluation Criteria
Supervised and/or Coordinated by Qualified Individual

31. When it All Comes Together
Student Success
Employer Needs
Program Length
Education Resources
Faculty Qualifications
Recruitment
Admissions
Student Progress
Student Services

32. Logical Timeline
Schools should have their degree applications in at LEAST 60 days prior to the desired implementation date, as staff usually requests additional info, and the Commission’s review and approval process for unrelated degree programs may take additional time

33. Actions
Approve
Approve with Onsite Evaluation (all first time and unrelated degree programs)
Approve with Stipulations
Approve with Program Implementation Enclosure
Defer
Deny

34. For more information to enhance your school’s educational experience visit: www.accsc.org/resources
There you will find practical guidance for ACCSC institutions through the Monograph Series which includes topics such as:
Maximizing Program Advisory Committees
Learning Resource Systems
Faculty Improvement Planning/Implementation
Self Evaluation Processes and Practices
Institutional Assessment and Improvement Planning/Implementation

35. Demonstrating Program Viability and Sound Success Strategies for Degree Granting Institutions May 3, 2017