Program Review vs. Degree Level Assessment

Academic program review and comprehensive degree-level assessment at KU are conducted on a four-year cycle. Both activities are required by our institutional accreditors, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR). Most important, these ongoing assessment activities ensure continuous improvement of programs and the student learning experience at KU, while maintaining alignment between KU’s mission and strategic priorities and the unit’s mission and program goals and learning outcomes.

Degree Level Assessment ----> Student Learning Outcomes

Academic Program Review ----> Program Health

Four Year Cycle

Each four-year cycle is planned in collaboration with the College and Professional Schools. Units undergo Academic Program Review once every four years, with goal updates due annually. Likewise, a comprehensive degree-level assessment is required once every four years, with shorter assessment reviews due annually. For academic programs subject to external program accreditation review, every effort will be made to coordinate the timing of program review with the accreditation review to make effective use of faculty time and minimize duplication of effort.

Alignment Between Academic Program Review and Degree Level Assessment

The comprehensive degree-level assessments are scheduled to occur the year prior to academic program review to inform the Self Study Report. A combined schedule for both academic program review and comprehensive degree-level assessment for the current cycle is available here.