New Program Review at NSU

Nova Southeastern University encourages the development of new and innovative academic programs which advance its mission. The development of new programs is facilitated by the Program Review Committee whose members provide support and counsel for individuals seeking approval of proposals. This University-wide committee attempts to ensure that future growth and development of the University occurs in an orderly manner. The review process contributes to the quality of the proposed programs and increases their probability of success. It is the only pathway permitted by the Board of Trustees for the approval of new academic programs.

Working with the Program Review Committee, the program sponsors prepare a packet of materials about the proposed program which includes technical assistance and advice from several offices on campus:

Office/Administrative Unit	Function
Institutional Effectiveness	To assure that the program fits within the parameters of SACS
Office of State Licensing	To assure that the program fits within the state guidelines and laws
Computing services, Library	To evaluate the impact of the program on learning resources
Office(s) of Vice President for Finance	To analyze the financial impact
Facilities Management and Physical Plant	To assess the impact on the facilities
Office of Legal Affairs	To review contracts, if any exist

The packet will be reviewed for approval by the New Program Review Committee. A recommendation for approval of a new program is forwarded to the University Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs for review. Its recommendations are forwarded to the Academic Council, then to the President who brings a recommendation for approval of a new program to the Board of Trustees for action

1. Program Request

   Requests to initiate a program originate from the Center, often with the support of a program sponsor. A concept paper may be developed for early review to the New Program Review Committee, University Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Executive Vice Chancellor for the Health Professions. They will consider the new program concept in the context of the University's mission, strategic plan, current academic degree offerings, and, if acceptable, ask for a full proposal to be submitted for review to the New Program Review Committee.

2. Proposal Development

   The program sponsor is responsible for collecting all documentation to be prepared for the new program. The program sponsor may establish an ad hoc community advisory committee to assist in program development. The program proposal must include the following:

   • Executive Summary
     Describe the proposed new program; its location; initial date of implementation; projected number of students, if applicable; description of primary target audience; projected life of the program (single cohort or ongoing); and instructional delivery methods.(Not to exceed one page).
   • Background Information
     Provide a clear statement of the nature and purpose of the new program in the context of the unit's mission and goals; evidence of the legal authority for the change (if authorization is required by the governing board or the state); and whether the proposed degree program or similar program is offered on the main campus, at other off-campus sites, or online.
   • Comparable Programs
     List three programs from other academic institutions comparable to the proposed new program. Information about these programs will be gathered by the Office of Academic Review.
   • Assessment of Need and Program Planning / Approval
     Discuss the rationale for the new program, including an assessment of need through such areas as market analysis of student demand, employer needs assessment, market position/potential, and competition; evidence of inclusion of the change in the institution's ongoing planning and evaluation processes; and documentation that faculty and other groups were involved in the review and approval of the new site or program.
   • Description of New Program
     Provide a description of the proposed new program; including the specific outcomes and learning objectives of the program, a schedule of proposed course offerings and description, explain all modalities and caps on enrollment and course size and for the first year a copy of the course syllabi. Please differentiate between existing and new courses that would need to be developed. In the case of changes involving the initiation of branch campuses or off-site programs, indicate the educational program to be offered. Describe any differences in admission, curriculum, or graduation requirements for students enrolled at the new site(s), or any special arrangements for grading, transcripts, or transfer policies. Describe administrative oversight to ensure the quality of the program or services to be offered.
   • Faculty
     Provide a complete roster (using the Roster of Instructional Staff form; see Appendix D) of those faculty who will teach in the program(s), including a description of those faculty member's academic qualifications, course load in the new program as well as course(s) work taught in other programs currently offered and the percentage of individual faculty member's time assigned to program; evidence that adequate faculty members are assigned to support the program; and the impact of the new initiative on faculty workload. For graduate programs, document scholarship and research capability of faculty.
   • Library and Learning Resources
     Describe library and information resources--general as well as specific to the program–and staffing and services that are in place to support the initiative; if reliant upon other libraries, describe those collections and their relevance to the proposed program(s); include a copy of formal agreements in the appendix; relative to electronic resources, describe how students and faculty will access information, training for faculty and students in the use of online resources, and staffing and services available to students and faculty.
   • Physical Resources
     Provide a description of physical facilities and equipment to support this initiative. Assess the impact that the proposed change will have on existing programs and services.
   • Evaluation and Assessment
     Describe how the sponsoring academic unit assesses effectiveness and the means used to monitor and ensure the quality of the degree program. Summarize procedures for systematic evaluation of instructional results, including the process for monitoring and evaluating programs at off campus sites, as well as using the results of evaluation to improve the program's services, and operations. For distance learning instruction or compressed time frames, describe the methodology for determining that levels of knowledge and competencies comparable to those required in traditional formats have been achieved.
   • Letters of Support/Cooperative agreements
     Please provide letters of support from the Dean of all involved academic units/centers.
   • Outside agency
     Please note any agreements, contracts, etc with external agencies must be provided to the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and University Provost. At the discretion of the University Provost, these may be shared with the NPRC Chair.
   • Special Requirements for Ph.D. Proposals
     Based on the recommendations from the Ph.D. Guidelines Task Force (October, 2006), the guidelines in Appendix G apply to all new Ph.D. programs and must be specifically addressed in the proposal.
     
     
3. Program Review

   The new program proposal will be presented in person to the New Program Review Committee by the program sponsor and the academic unit dean or designee. Comments by the NPRC will typically relate to clarification and/or modification of specific sections of the proposal. The NPRC may recommend approval, approval with minor modifications, approval with substantive modification, or not to approve. When modifications are required, the NPRC will examine the changes before the proposal is approved and sent to the Academic Council for review.

4. Program Approval

   After the Academic Council reviews the program, recommendations will be forwarded to the University Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and then to the President for consideration. If approved by the President, recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for their approval. The Office of the Provost/ Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will notify the sponsoring college(s) and university offices of the program's approval. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness will send the appropriate documentation and notification to SACS.

5. Evaluation of New Programs

   The new program will be reviewed one year after it is initiated to verify whether it has met the expectations for enrollment, budget, resource demand, and educational quality. This initial program review may request a subsequent evaluation at the end of the second year if deemed necessary. If the evaluation is positive, the program will be evaluated on the regular five-year cycle for existing programs.

   For more details about the academic review process, contact the Office of Academic Review or the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs or see the website.

June, 2011
NSU Office of Academic Affairs