Degree Programs


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Academic Program Review Process

Goldey-Beacom College is firmly committed to continuously strengthening and improving its academic programs. This is evidenced throughout College edicts such as the Goals of the College, the Assessment Plan of the College, the Strategic Plan of the College, and the annual assessment process. Continuous improvement and evaluation of the College's academic programs is integrated throughout, comprising a major portion of these plans.

The goals of the College are predominantly about preparing students for successful careers through their chosen academic program. One of those goals directly states: "To maintain up-to-date curricula which are responsive to the current and future needs of students."

That is done through annual assessment of each academic program. The appropriate Cluster conducts this assessment, which is performed each calendar year and results in adjusting the programs to meets the students' and other stakeholders, such as the employers', needs. Valuable feedback is received from employers via surveys conducted on a regular basis to assess their satisfaction level with our students who they employ, and interaction between faculty and employers via the Career Services Advisory Board.

One of the four main principles of the College's Assessment Plan is as follows: "The purpose of assessment is to improve student learning." Student learning is listed as a key area and critical function to be addressed in the assessment process.

In the Strategic Plan 2010-2015, one of the strategies is, "Provide academic programs and adjust academic offerings to meet stakeholder needs."

The process works in the following fashion. Annual program review which is required by assessment virtually promises that curricula will be kept current. The Department Chair, or Cluster Coordinator, compiles the assessment results with the assistance of his faculty members. At this point, if any changes are needed, they are discussed and implemented in the individual courses as appropriate, or in the program as needed. If changes are greater than 50% of a course's content, or courses required for the program need to be changed, these proposed changes are submitted, along with explanations, to the Curriculum Committee for consideration. The Curriculum Committee then reviews any proposed changes. If approved, they are then submitted to the Executive Council of the College, which consists of the President, two Vice Presidents, and the Academic Dean for review. Once approved by the Executive Council, changes can be implemented.

Technology is an important support function for all academic programs. The College maintains state-of-the-art computers in the Academic Computing Center and when relevant, upgrades software to the most recent version. Additionally, faculty members may submit requests for software to support new course-related requirements annually. Blackboard software, which is used by faculty to enhance course delivery, is upgraded once available updates are tested in-house.

Potential new programs of study can be proposed by faculty and/or administration. Administration makes the final determination and if it is decided to pursue a given program of study, appropriate faculty begin the process of constructing those programs.

New programs of study are posted promptly on the College website with the scroll bar calling attention to them. The program of study and course descriptions are available there for students' or prospective students' perusal. Press releases also advertise the new programs that are available. Advisors in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office are available to explain new programs to current students, and Admissions Representatives have new brochures to distribute to prospective students and can answer their questions about new academic programs as well. Students in existing programs that are continuously updated are enrolled in the latest version of the courses comprising the programs that is available.

The theme of constant improvement and updating of all academic programs permeates the very fabric of Goldey-Beacom College, as is evidenced above.