
The Office of Academic Affairs provides leadership that supports and enhances the mission of the college. Its focus is on strengthening student learning, curriculum, accreditation, program review, online learning, partnerships and assessment. The office is committed to the values of the college: Empowerment, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity and Collaboration.
Academic Program Review and Assessment
All WITC academic programs undergo a formal review on a regular basis as part of our continuous improvement efforts. In addition, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) requires each of the 16 technical colleges to conduct a regular review process of all academic programs.
The purpose of the academic program review is to determine the strengths and challenges of the existing program and to set strategies and plans of continuous improvement in order to provide future learners with more competitive skills, viable knowledge, and a quality education. This will ensure we are meeting business and industry needs by supplying a trained workforce.
Academic program review is part of the College‘s overall planning process. It is designed to assist the College in systematically evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of each program.
Download Academic Program Review Process Flowchart 2017-2021
Download Academic Program Review Brochure 2017-2021
The Academic Program Review Process includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Preparing a Program Profile
- The divisional or academic dean will select a team chair. The chair should be a faculty member or dean from the program area. A review team must be identified and should include members who can provide a broad-based perspective to all areas of the program being reviewed. Program profile information will be submitted to "open" the review.
- Step 2: Completing a Self-Study
- The self-study will be the foundation for the review and is a basis for future improvement plans. This part of the process will examine three required specific elements and two or more elective elements.
- Required Elements (others may be added by VP, Academic Affairs as necessary):
- Analysis of trends from Program Effectiveness Data Profile
- Analysis of results of previous program improvement plans
- Progress/results of TSA (includes program outcomes and Employability Essentials)
- Plus Two – select a minimum of two other areas of review from the following:
- Academic Advising
- Accreditation/National or State Standards, Regulations, Compliance, etc.
- Advisory Committees
- Assessment of Student Learning
- Budgeting Efficiencies/Cost per FTE
- Career Outlook/Future Occupational Trends
- Career Pathways
- Collaboration/Partnerships
- Curriculum Currency/Modifications
- Delivery Methods/Distribution of Offerings/Scheduling
- Dual Enrollment
- Equipment
- Facilities
- Faculty Credentialing/Development Needs
- Online/Technology
- Recruitment
- Other – if there are topics not listed above that are a priority for study, please submit request to Vice President, Academic Affairs for approval.
- Step 3: Developing an Improvement Plan & Final Portfolio
- Based upon the analysis of the data collected during the Self-Study, teams select final actions for improvement and complete a plan for implementing those improvements over the next two years. Specific priorities may also be determined by the Division or College.
- Once the improvement plan is developed and finalized, programs submit a Program Review Portfolio that includes all pieces of the review. These portfolios become the College‘s official record of the program review activities and results.
- Step 4: Feedback on the Academic Program Review Process
- Feedback from all stakeholders is requested each year. This feedback is used to improve the process of academic program review and is essential to assure the process is both meaningful and effective.
- Step 5: Implementing Improvements and Progress Reports
- During the four years following the review, the program will implement the action items listed on the improvement plan. During this time, the program will provide periodic reports on progress on the action items and associated results.
Academic Program Review completed program portfolios
Review teams will complete the first four steps throughout the review year. Drafts of each section will be submitted for feedback. Each program will develop and submit a final review portfolio that will document the activities of the review as well as the planned improvements.
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2015 Listing of Programs Reviewed
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2014 Listing of Programs Reviewed
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Automotive Maintenance Technician
Broadband Technologies and Technician
Business Management
Communications - General Studies
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement and Academy
Dairy Herd Management
Emergency Medical Technical and Advanced EMT
Farm Business and Production Management
Human Services Associate
Machine Tool Operation
Machine Tooling Technics
Mathematics - General Studies
Medical Assistant
Residential Construction and Cabinetmaking
Supervisory Management
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2013 Listing of Programs Reviewed
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Adult Basic Education
Automated Packaging Systems Technician
Criminal Justice-Corrections
Early Childhood Education
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
Industrial Automation, Controls, and Networking
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Medical Administrative, Specialist/Medical Office Specialist
Occupation Therapy Assistant
Paramedic Technician and EMT Paramedic
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2012 Listing of Programs Reviewed
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes communicate performance expectations to students by describing major occupational or discipline-specific skills expected of all program graduates. Assessment of program outcomes ensures that continuous improvement is taking place and will demonstrate accountability to constituents (students, employers, accrediting bodies, etc.)
Find each program's outcomes on their individual program page.
General Studies Competencies And Course Assessment
Course Competencies describe the major skills/knowledge students must master to pass a course. Assessment of course competencies reflect whether or not students are able to adequately master the content of the course.
General Studies offers courses in communication, mathematics, science, social science, and behavioral science that provide the foundation for degree, certificate, and diploma programs at WITC. General Studies courses will be assessed each year according to an identified schedule with results being posted on a yearly basis.
Prepared Learner courses equip students with the skills necessary to master college-level curricula. Accuplacer test scores, academic history, self-awareness, and/or length of time away from formal education steer students to these courses. Prepared Learner courses carry college credits and are eligible for financial aid. They cannot be counted for degree credit. Students whose placement scores require Prepared Learner enrollment must complete each required class with a grade of C or higher before registering for the subsequent General Studies course.
General Studies courses will be assessed each year according to an identified schedule with results being posted on a yearly basis.
Click on the course title below to view the course’s course outcome summary, which includes the course competencies and recent assessments:
- Communication
- 10801195 Written Communication
- 10801196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication
- 10801197 Technical Reporting
- 10801198 Speech
- Assessment 2016
- 32801361 Applied Communications 1
- 32801363 Applied Communications 2
- Mathematics
- 10804107 College Mathematics
- 10804113 College Technical Mathematics 1A
- 10804114 College Technical Mathematics 1B
- 10804115 College Technical Mathematics 1
- 10804116 College Technical Mathematics 2
- 10804123 Math with Business Applications
- 10804133 Mathematics and Logic
- 10804138 Math for Health Professionals
- 10804189 Introductory Statistics
- 32804355 Math 355
- 32804364 Math 364
- 32804365 Math 365
- 32804373 Math 373
- 32804383 Math 383
- 10834109 Pre-Algebra
- Science
- 10806112 Principles of Sustainability
- 10806122 Natural Sciences in Society
- 10806134 General Chemistry
- 10806140 Chemistry
- 10806175 Pathophysiology
- 10806177 General Anatomy and Physiology
- 10806179 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
- 10806197 Microbiology
- 10806198 Human Biology
- 31806310 Science for Cosmetologists
- 31806352 Applied Physical Science
- 32806300 Applied Materials Science
- 32806351 Applied Science
- Social Science
- Behavioral Science
- Interdisciplinary
- Prepared Learner