Program Assessment
A primary goal of the Graduate School is the continuous improvement of graduate education at NC State. Program assessment achieves that goal by providing metrics to measure the effectiveness of programs and guidelines to evaluate, modify and enhance them.
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Assessment is a hot topic!
For each of these four review processes, the following table summarizes which credentials are covered, what the review cycle is, who requires the review, who manages the process, what the foci are, what the outputs of the process are and how the resulting information is shared.
| Strategic program review | Outcomes assessment | APRA | Biennial productivity review | |
| Covered credentials | Degree progs not specially accredited | Degree progs Transcripted certificates | All degree programs | All degree programs |
| Cycle | 7-10 years | Yearly | 7 years | 2 years |
| Required by | NC State | NC State and SACSCOC | UNC-SO | UNC-SO |
| Managed by | OAA and Grad School | OAA and Grad School | OAA and Grad School | UNC-SO |
| Foci | Quality Vision Learning | Stu learning Curriculum | Stu demand Stu careers Costs | Demand Productivity Stu careers ROI |
| Output | Review rpt Action plan Improvement | Improvement on curricula and student support | NC State recommendations on program size | Benchmark on program productivity and quality |
| Shared with | Prog/Dept College NC State leadership | Prog/Dept College NC State leadership | Prog/dept College NC State leadership UNC-SO | Board of Governors |