Review of Certificate Programs

The self-study of certificates should be no more than twenty pages (not including appendices) and must include an overview of the certificate, student learning goals and outcomes, curriculum, faculty required to support the certificate, and future goals. Information in the self-study should include:

• an overview of the certificate, student learning goals and outcomes, curriculum, faculty required to support the certificate, and future goals.  Information in the self-study should include:
  • Mission/goals of the certificate
  • Alignment of mission/goals with program, college/school and campus mission/goals
  • Relationship of the certificate to other instructional programs (majors/minors/certificates)
  • Description of changes and innovations in the program since the last review
  • Identification of the program learning outcomes
  • Mapping of courses
  • Course schedule
  • List of faculty teaching in the certificate program.
  • Administrative support
  • Assessment
    • Program is annually assessed through TaskStream
    • Evaluation of program effectiveness (e.g., are program outcomes met)
    • Results of faculty-designed and other assessments of student learning
    • Results of student exit interviews, alumni surveys, and employer surveys
    • Demand for the program (e.g., enrollment, number of certificates awarded over a 5 year period)
    • Post-certificate progress of students
  • Program planning for the future (e.g., plans for collecting and using institutional data, effective environmental scanning, and financial resources required).

Upon completion, the self-study is submitted to the Dean for review.  After meeting with the department, the Dean submits an evaluation of their review of the certificate to the department and Academic Affairs.

Upon receipt of the evaluation, the unit under review will prepare a written response and will meet with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to discuss the findings:

• Is the certificate appropriate?
• Is the certificate meeting the desired education goals?
• What changes should be made in light of the review and how will these changes be implemented?
• What resources are necessary to achieve short– and long–range goals?