Senior Administration

Home
Faculty Reviews of Academic Programs

Faculty Reviews of Academic Programs

Contacts

Courtney Sutton
Academic Quality Assurance Manager
avpa@dal.ca    

For scheduling and conducting reviews of graduate programs
Lori Lawton
Faculty of Graduate Studies 
llawton@dal.ca


Evidence‐based reviews of academic programs are a crucial component of Dalhousie’s quality assurance activities. Cyclical program reviews support strategic, academic program planning, continuous improvement and enhance the effectiveness and student focus of our program offerings. By undertaking such reviews, Faculties demonstrate responsibility and transparency, and critically assess progress towards their own goals. 

Reviews of Academic Programs within a Faculty are the responsibility of the Dean. Reviews of graduate-level programs are a joint responsibility of the Dean and the Faculty of Graduate Studies (Senate Policy for Faculty Reviews of Academic Programs). 

This page is a resource for Faculties. The primary point of contact for individual Review Committees and progams developing their self-study is the Faculty (typically the Associate Dean Academic). 

Policy, procedures and requirements


Policy [PDF]
Appendix A: Procedures [PDF] 
Appendix B: Information Requirements for Programs Subject to Accreditation [Word] 
Appendix C: Implementation Plan [Word] 
Appendix D: Template for Self-Study [Word] 
Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements for Graduate Academic Program Reviews [PDF] 


Scheduling and Reporting Reviews

Dalhousie is required to provide annual reports to external stakeholders on program review activity. To support this work, schedules of planned reviews and confirmation of reviews undertaken should be provided to the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic. Once a review is complete (report and action plan submitted), the Dean's Office should please contact the Academic Quality Assurance Manager to provide confirmation/dates. 

Considerations when scheduling reviews

  • Reviews are to occur every 5-7 years; newly established or significantly modified programs are to be reviewed within 2 years after the first cohort has graduated;
  • Two or more academic programs may be reviewed together, or as part of a unit review. For example, all interrelated programs within a unit, including majors, honors, minors and certificates, may be reviewed simultaneously;
  • All schedules are at the discretion of the Dean, and in the case of graduate programs, communicated to and mutually agreed upon with the Faculty of Graduate Studies; and
  • Maintaining a comprehensive, faculty-level schedule of reviews will ensure appropriate distribution of reviews and aid strategic planning around resources (human and financial). It will also help Dalhousie Analytics to plan for their own resources and ensure appropriate data support.   

 


For programs subject to accreditation, please continue to submit official documentation and results as they become available (no need to report as above-see Accredited Programs). Additionally, in advance of your next accreditation site visit (or immediately thereafter), please follow the procedures in Appendix C of the Senate Policy for Faculty Reviews of Academic Programs. 

Additional Resources

Review committee planning templates

Communications and outreach templates