FAQs about Academic Program Review

How does an organization benefit from an Academic Program Review?

Who determines whether a training or education program is college-level and can be translated into college credits at Thomas Edison State College?

What is the academic program review process?

What does the team evaluate?

What types of questions could the team ask an organization during the review?

How does an organization maintain the validity of the credit award?

What about organizations with multiple sites?

How much does an Academic Program Review cost?


What is an academic program review?
An Academic Program Review is a program that Thomas Edison State College offers to organizations who are interested in having their training and education programs reviewed and evaluated to determine if the individuals who complete the training and education programs acquire college-level knowledge and if that training can be transferred into college credit at Thomas Edison State College. The program is cost effective and brings the value-added benefit of college credit to an organization’s training.  The review consists of a team of college professors from a variety of higher education institutions who are subject matter experts who evaluate the objectives, content and assessment strategies of the courses being submitted for review.  An Academic Program Review also provides an opportunity for an organization to create an academic partnership with Thomas Edison State College. 

How does an organization benefit from an Academic Program Review?
There are several benefits from investing in an Academic Program Review, such as:  

• Personnel performance improvement through training and education
• Improved quality of training program
• Increased visibility and prestige for higher level training
• Gain competitive advantage in the industry
• Courses are awarded college credit
• Increased recruitment and retention of staff and adult learners
•  Cost-savings on tuition & tuition reimbursement
• Links your organization to learning communities
• Review cost is affordable
• No residency requirement at Thomas Edison State College

Who determines whether a training or education program is college-level and can be translated into college credits at Thomas Edison State College?
An Academic Review Team, which is comprised of college and university professors who are subject matter experts in specific areas, evaluates the training and education programs to determine whether it is college-level. This team also recommends how many credits to award for the training. Thomas Edison State College, a regionally accredited institution through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, awards college credits for programs that have undergone the academic review process. 

What is the academic program review process?
The following outlines the steps for an Academic Program Review:

• An organization selects the courses to be reviewed and submits an Academic Program Review application to the Office of Center for Academic Program Review at Thomas Edison State College.
  
• The application is reviewed and the review coordinator schedules a visit to the organization.  Optimally, four (4) to six (6) weeks are required from the time the application is received to the date the review is conducted. This provides sufficient time to identify review team members and coordinate schedules with all parties.
  
• A team, usually consisting of three college professors per subject area plus a review coordinator, evaluates course materials on site.  For each course that is evaluated, the team determines a credit award.  Thomas Edison State College issues an Academic Program Review report to the organization that details the results of the review.

What does the team evaluate?
The team will examine course content, the depth and breadth of learning, learning outcomes, instruments used to measure learning outcomes (e.g., exams, term papers, etc.), course materials, required readings, projects or assignments, instructors’ credentials and length of courses.

What types of questions could the team ask an organization during the review?
Each Academic Program Review is unique, however some common questions include: 

• What is the completion rate for this course and has it changed in the last few years?
• How does the organization determine whether a course meets the definition of college level?
• What instrument has been developed to measure students’ learning at the college level?
• How does an organization ensure quality instruction?
• What formal evaluation is used by the organization to evaluate instructors?
• Is there a systematic way for students to evaluate the instructors’ performance?
• How does an organization ensure that academic standards are maintained?
• Do students further their education once they complete the course or program?

How does an organization maintain the validity of the credit award?
To maintain the validity of the credit award after the initial Academic Program Review, an organization must: 

• Participate in the annual review quality control process that consists of filling out a one-page questionnaire for each course once a year. Unless a course undergoes significant changes, the annual review takes very little time and entails a nominal cost.
  
• Undergo a program review process every five years. 

The review is valid for five years. At the end of the 5-year cycle, a re-review is required to maintain the credit award.

What about organizations with multiple sites?
Organizations with multiple sites may have the credit award extended to other training sites where their courses are being taught, provided specific requirements are met.  

How much does an Academic Program Review cost? 
Each Academic Program Review is unique and cost varies based on the number and type of programs being reviewed.  To get an estimate for what an Academic Program Review for your organization will cost, or for more information, contact us at (609) 633 - 6271 or apr@tesc.edu.