What Is an Academic Program Evaluation Process?

October 11, 2022

An academic program evaluation process is data-informed, transparent, collaborative, and comprehensive when done correctly.It combines data with institutional judgment. Participants bring knowledge of their domain and the institutional mission. Establishing this process at your college or university reveals current and potential new programs that merit investment to increase enrollment and revenue and serve diverse demographic groups. This process also reduces internal obstacles to implementation, speeds up time-to-market, and optimizes ROI by focusing investment on high-potential opportunities.

Important Points to Know Before Getting Started

A successful program evaluation process is multi-faceted and involves stakeholders across the institution:

  • Top-down or “closed-door” decision-making can impede the development of successful programs.
  • Comprehensive data is crucial and should include academics, markets, and program margins.
  • Good program decisions take more than numbers. Success comes from the institutional knowledge and experiences each team member brings to the table.
  • Ongoing, systematic reviews will strengthen your academic program portfolio and more likely to sustain vitality during downturns or unexpected crises.
  • All programs have life cycles. Even “tried and true” general education programs need course updates to keep them healthy.

The Key Elements of Academic Program Evaluation

Program evaluation should include the four key elements that drive successful programs as well as the people and processes to balance a successful program portfolio. Programs must:

  • Honor the mission of the institution, and serve the needs of students and the community at large
  • Adhere to academic standards and meet institutional accreditation requirements
  • Align with market demand, including student demand, employer needs, and competition by degree level
  • Be margin-conscious – not all programs need to be contribution-positive, but the overall portfolio needs to be financially balanced

Wrapped around the key elements of academic programs are the people and processes that drive successful program evaluation:

  • People: Include academic and institutional leaders in decision-making.
  • Process: Bring the people together in workshops to review all current and potential new programs. Facilitate the discussion and reach an agreement on program decisions.

Having a strong analytical foundation and a clear, inclusive process for program evaluation leads to better decisions, strengthens relationships across the campus, and is consistent with the principles of shared governance.

Robert Atkins

CEO AND FOUNDER OF GRAY ASSOCIATES

Bob led Gray’s entry into the education industry and the development of Gray’s proprietary industry databases and service offerings. He has worked directly with many of Gray’s education clients, consulting with CEOs and CMOs on business strategy, pricing, location selection, curricular efficiency, and program strategy.

Related Posts

When Bad News Is Good News: Cyber Breaches Drive Demand For Cybersecurity Programs

Discover how recent cyberattacks are shaping cybersecurity programs at academic institutions. Are there enough interested students, and will graduates find jobs in this field? Explore the surge in cybersecurity graduates, enrollment trends, and employment opportunities, revealing a promising landscape for both students and higher education institutions.

The Artists Are Not Starving: How Arts Programs Profit Students and Schools

Can arts programs lead to prosperous careers? We dissect recent data that challenges the “starving artist” stereotype. Explore the resilient growth of visual and performing arts enrollments post-pandemic, the diverse paths graduates take, and surprising employment outcomes. Discover why arts education is not just surviving but thriving. 

A Shot of Perspective on the Nursing Shortage: Insights into Employer Demand

Uncover the surprising trends shaping the future of nursing with Gray’s Head of Research, Elaine Rowles! Delve into the intriguing interplay between enrollment, job postings, and salaries for RNs and LPNs. Despite certain declines, the demand for nurses remains strong, leaving a profound impact on nursing programs and the overall healthcare landscape. Explore how educators and employers are actively shaping the future of nursing. Plus, get valuable insights into the recent data on nursing jobs and its implications for higher education.

About Us
closeup photo of

Gray Associates, Inc. is a software and services firm focused on higher education. We help education clients develop fact-based institutional and marketing strategies that maximize outcomes for students, the school, and its constituencies.

Let’s Socialize

Popular Post
Subscribe to Our Blog

Don’t miss the latest research and insights from Gray Associates