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Office of Academic Affairs

Students from various programs wearing their career outfits smile against a white background

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. 

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. 

View Programs

 

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:

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