UGAPR Overview | Office of Accreditation, Assessment, Curriculum, and Compliance

What is an Academic Program?

Academic programs comprise the core, required, and elective courses and/or activities that lead to a credential. At MSU, these may include distinct, non-overlapping majors, including interdisciplinary minors and certificates (i.e., a History BA, BS, and minor are one academic program, while a BS in Kinesiology is distinct from the minor in Coaching).

The department/college assessing minors, certificates, concentrations, and cognates that fall within a single academic program may determine whether they would benefit from independent assessment as a separate program.

HLC Criterion 4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement

The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.

Core Components

4.A. The institution ensures the quality of its educational offerings.The institution maintains a practice of regular program reviews and acts upon the findings.

4.B. The institution engages in ongoing assessment of student learning as part of its commitment to the educational outcomes of its students.

The institution has effective processes for assessment of student learning and for achievement of learning goals in academic and cocurricular offerings.
The institution uses the information gained from assessment to improve student learning.
The institution’s processes and methodologies to assess student learning reflect good practice, including the substantial participation of faculty, instructional and other relevant staff members.