4 - Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement

The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.

4.A - Core Component 4.A

The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs.

  1. The institution maintains a practice of regular program reviews.
  2. The institution evaluates all the credit that it transcripts, including what it awards for experiential learning or other forms of prior learning, or relies on the evaluation of responsible third parties.
  3. The institution has policies that assure the quality of the credit it accepts in transfer.
  4. The institution maintains and exercises authority over the prerequisites for courses, rigor of courses, expectations for student learning, access to learning resources, and faculty qualifications for all its programs, including dual credit programs. It assures that its dual credit courses or programs for high school students are equivalent in learning outcomes and levels of achievement to its higher education curriculum.
  5. The institution maintains specialized accreditation for its programs as appropriate to its educational purposes.
  6. The institution evaluates the success of its graduates. The institution assures that the degree or certificate programs it represents as preparation for advanced study or employment accomplish these purposes. For all programs, the institution looks to indicators it deems appropriate to its mission, such as employment rates, admission rates to advanced degree programs, and participation rates in fellowships, internships, and special programs (e.g., Peace Corps and Americorps).

Argument

4.A. NMSUdemonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs.

The New Mexico State University system (NMSU-system) consists of 5 campuses: The main campus in Las Cruces, NM (NMSU-LC), and four community college campuses in various geographical locations across the state. Three of the community college campuses are independently accredited by the HLC - NMSU-Alamogordo, NMSU-Carlsbad, and NMSU-Dona Anna. The fourth community collegeis a branch campus located in Grants, NM (NMSU-Grants), and is accredited with the maincampus (NMSU-LC). NMSU-LC is located in the southern part of the state, and NMSU-Grants is located in the northern part of the state, approximately 300 miles north of the NMSU-LC campus. In the Assurance Argument,references to "NMSU" include both campuses accredited in this visit (NMSU-LC and NMSU-Grants).When referencing uniqueness by campus, we will identify them by the campus location (-LC; -Grants). Though all campuses are not included in this accreditation, on occasion it will be necessary to refer to"the NMSU-system" which includes all NMSU-system campuses.

4.A.1. NMSUmaintains a practice of regular program review

NMSU has established a process whereby all academic programs participate in either external accreditation by a professional organization or regular program review, or in some cases, a combination of both.The purpose of program review is to ensure programs remain relevant, are fiscally and academically sound, and are operating under a model of continuous review and improvement.

Below, we will describe the program review process for the NMSU-LC campus.Because of the unique characteristics and constituency of the NMSU-Grants campus, they maintain a parallel process for program review more specifically relevantto the programs offered there. We will describe the program review process on the NMSU-Grants campus immediately following the NMSU-LC description.

At NMSU-LC, program review occurs at the department level. All programs within a department - including baccalaureate, master and doctoral degree programs - undergo simultaneous review on a 5-year cycle. Exceptions may existfor rigorous specialized accreditation of a particular program.

Several programs participated ina pilot program(2013-14) and one program (Applied Statistics) participated in a complete reviewin 2014-15. Experience and feedback from pilot programs and the subsequentfull implementation resulted in substantial changes to both the process and criteria [need guidelines].We now have a clearlycemented process and criteria for program review. In 2015-16 and 2016-17, thirteen programs (seven and six respectively) participated in program review. Fourprograms willundergo program review in 2017-18. Every program without specialized accreditation will have completed onecycle ofprogram review[link needs updating w/new website]by the 2019-20 academic year.

Overview of Academic Program Review

  • In addition to receivingdata[link to content]provided by the Office of Institutional Analysis (IA), the NMSU Library alsoprovides a report[link to template]to departments outliningrelevant collections and services, to be used in the self-study.
  • Departments prepare a self-study[link to template] and after being approved by the dean, submit the self-studyto the review team.
  • A review team - including three members external to the institution and one member from another NMSU-LC department - reviews the self-study, completes a site visit[link to sample itinerary] to the campus, and submits a final report[link to template] on the program.
  • Departments respond to the report with an action plan detailing specific short-term and five-year objectives. The action plan isnegotiated with and approvedby the respectiveDean prior to approval by the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP).
  • Progress reports[link to template]on status ofobjectives are submitted annually, until the next scheduled review.

Recentactionsidentified [link to supporting docs; relevant progress reports] include creation of aClimate Change interdisciplinary research group (Department of Geology), development of an undergraduate recruitment plan and potential revision of the departmental Strategic Plan (Department of Anthropology) and development of aCenter for Quantitative Excellence (Applied Statistics Program).

Programs exempted from the NMSU-LC program review process because ofspecialized accreditationmeet expectations and requirements for continuous review and improvement through their respective specialized accreditation processes. For example, the business and accounting programs in the Business College are subject to review by AACSB International every five years. Required annual reports detail applications, enrollment, graduation, faculty qualifications and finances. Immediatelyprior to the five-year sitevisit the college submits aContinuous Improvement Review report that documentsfaculty qualifications, assessment of student learning, curriculum improvements and ways in whichfaculty, staff and student innovation and engagement have impacted the broader community. Reports also include details abouthow the college's actions respond tofeedback received from the previous accreditation visit. For example, the college has adopted and begun to assess business-specific learning objectives (in addition to those relating to more general skills and knowledge) and has differentiated the performance standards for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. Engineering College programs are accredited by the Engineering and Engineering Technology Accreditation Commissions of ABET. The programs submit a self-study every six years to address 9 major criteria and policy and procedure requirements.

NMSU-Grants has similarly developed a systematicprocess and criteria for academic program review. The ultimate goal of improving overall program quality is groundedinimproving student learning and increasing retention and graduation within programs.The current four-year cyclewas developed by faculty;[link to NMHEAA team]years 1-3 includebrief annual summary reports, followed by afull program review in year four.The fourth year full reportis evaluated by an internal committee that provides feedback for program improvement and advises the program manager on an action plan for improvement. At least two programs engage in the full review each academic year.Pilot participation (2015-16) inthisrevised process included Mathematics, Automotive, Computer Technology and Criminal Justice;[link to reports/action plans]programs in full review during 2016-17 were Communications, Geography and Social Sciences;[link to reports/action plans]programs starting the full review in Fall 2017 are Educationand Nursing Assistant.By 2019-20 all programs willhave participated in the revised academic program review process.

Overview of NMSU Grants Academic Program Review

  • The Assessment Committee monitors the schedule for program review and notifies program managers about scheduled reviews.
  • The NMSU-Grants Institutional Research Office provides program data to the program manager.
  • Program managers work with assigned mentors from the Assessment Committee to develop a self-study report.
  • The self-study is evaluated by an internal review team and an action plan is developed through collaboration betweenthe program manager and the review team.
  • The full program review and action plan are forwarded to the NMSU-GrantsPresident for approval.
  • Status of action plan details are submitted annually as part of the annual program summary.

Co-curricular Reviews

Although primary focus forprogram review has been on academic programs, there have been recent reviews of other NMSU-LC programs by external agencies and reviewers: The Libraryunderwent reviewin 2011and completed numerousprogress reports[link] including an update in 2017;graduate educationwas reviewed in 2012,as wasdistance education (known on campusas the Huron Report, which was also updated to reflect progress). The latter two in particularstimulated discussions across campus. There were, for example, extended discussions in the Associate Deans Academic Councilof both reports in 2013. The Library external review resulted in the development of an internal professional development program, the construction of a Library cafe, and the creation of a Budget Committee, among other things.More recently (2016) the Teaching Academy completed a self studyand reviewand haveresponded to findings in their report.

Although co-curricular program review is not formalized in the same way that academic program review is, NMSUdemonstrates an intentional and consistent practice of self-study and review for continuous improvement.

4.A.2. NMSUevaluates all the credit that it transcripts, including what it awards for experiential learning or other forms of prior learning, or relies on the evaluation of responsible third parties.

The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) is responsible for oversight and production of all NMSU system academic transcripts. Transcripts contain credits completed at all NMSU campuses as well as those transferred from other institutions of higher education. NMSU also awards credit forAdvanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES),Military Occupational Specializations (MOS) based on the American Council of Education (ACE) and challenge exams.

Transfer Credit

Administrative Rule and Procedure (ARP) 6.89 [link-6.89 under revision] stipulates conditionsfor awarding transfer credit from both accredited and non-accredited institutions of higher education. First,students must submit official transcripts sent directly from the other institution's registrar's office to the NMSU-system OUR. Second, students must meet all criteria for award of credit as described in the ARP and catalog. [link-need update]Finally, evaluation foraward of academic transfer credit is ultimately made by faculty through designated and authorized faculty representatives from departments and colleges, individually (for specific courses) or serving on designatedcommittees.

Both theNMSU-LC catalogand NMSU-Grants cataloginclude comprehensive regulatory statements about the transfer of credit from other regionally accredited institutions, with detailed information about academic requirements for transfer, evaluation of transfer credit and NMSU's three levels of credit transfer. Level 1[link] transfers honor established state-wide course articulations created through state-wide higher education faculty collaborations. These courses are automatically awarded equivalency credit by the OUR. Level 2[link]reflects transfer equivalency courses that have been evaluated through faculty inthe department that owns the course prefix. Many of these courses are in the OURdatabase of commonly transferred courses. In such cases, equivalency transfer credit is awarded automatically. In other cases, information about the course is provided to faculty so that they can evaluate course equivalency. If no NMSU course is deemed equivalent, thetransfer credit is awarded by the OURaselective course credit (100E; 300E). Level 3[link]transfer includes articulation agreements specific to academic programs.

Additional information[link-update] about transfer of religious center courses,national student exchange, currently enrolled students and transfer credit appeals process is also available in the catalog. [link-update].

Process for Evaluating and Awarding Transfer Credit

The evaluation of transfer credits for undergraduate students is initially conducted inthe OUR. Courses that do not have established equivalency throughthe OURdatabase are forwarded to the college and department for review. In some cases students may be required to provide additional course information (e.g. catalog description; syllabus; contact information for instructor) to thedepartment to assist with evaluation of equivalency. Upon recommendation of the faculty, the OR will award credit for an NMSU equivalent course, or elective credit.

Transfer credit from institutions that do not have regional accreditation are notevaluated until the student has successfully completed two semesters of full-time enrollment at NMSU.

NMSU has collaborated with other institutions of higher education within the state of New Mexico to establish statewide articulation. Particularly relevant are courses that satisfyNew Mexico general education common core requirements and articulation/transfer modules for discipline-specific programs such as business, early childhood education and nursing (NMSU Level 1 transfers). This process involves regular review by the institutions; for example, the New Mexico Collegiate Business Articulation Consortiummeets two times each year and maintains the business transfer module; the New Mexico Nursing EducationConsortiummeets 6time each year.

Consistent with staterequirements, NMSU maintains policies and procedures for students to appeal decisions aboutevaluation of transfer credits.

Other Transcripted Credit

NMSU transcriptsundergraduate creditbased on Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).The amount of credit associated with AP tests and the equivalent course credits is determined by the head of the department in which the course is offered. Similarly, CLEP and DANTES related credits are determined by academic departments and are periodically reviewed.NMSU also awards academic credit to US military personnelfor courses and Military Occupational Specializations (MOS) based on the American Council of Education (ACE) guide. Although at both the graduate and undergraduate levels credits may be recorded on the transcript based on successful completion of a challenge exam[Link-Credit by Exam](examscreated by the department to evaluate knowledge of course material), few students attemptto gain credit this way. In the past 10 years fewer than 5 studentshave taken challenge exams. Of those, 4 were awarded credit.

Transfer and other types of transcripted credit that do not includeenrollment in NMSU courses arenot generally accompanied by a grade and do not contribute to a student's grade point average (GPA). However, credits taken under the National Student Exchange Programare recorded with grades and included in the NMSU GPA.

Academic departments may award credit for internships and similar experiences. To receive credit students must enroll in a designated course prior to the experience, and generally there is an expectation that students will engage in academic activities beyond the specific assignment for the duration of the internship. For example, [link examples of course requirements: BUS, ACES, EDU, HON]students may be required to keep a journal detailing how the internship allowed them to apply concepts learned in their courses or they may write a paper concerning the internship experience.

Residency requirementslimit the amount of transfer work that may be completed in the last 36 credits of the degree program to 6, allowing exceptions where academically appropriate. For example, students in the international business major may be allowed to complete some of their major courses as well as language courses while on study abroad in the senior year. Individual programs may have additional restrictions; e.g. in business, students must complete at least 50% of their business credits at NMSU.

4.A.3. NMSUhas policies that assure the quality of the credit it accepts in transfer.

To assure the quality of credits accepted fortransfer, NMSU policies provide that credits from institutions that lack regional accreditationmay only be reviewed after a student has attended NMSU for two semesters in full-time status with satisfactory grades. Only credits from regionally accredited institutions are evaluated at the time of transfer.

Professionallyaccredited programs may have additional restrictions on the use of transfer credit to fulfill degree requirements.For example, NMSU-LC’s accounting program requires that upper division transfer credits in the accounting major come from programs with AACSB accreditation in accounting. Similarly, transfer credit accepted for the MBA program must be completed at an institution with AACSB accreditation.

Currently enrolled NMSU students must obtainprior approvalto enroll in and receive credit for courses completed at another institution. This aspect is regulated by departments and/or colleges. For example, the Engineering Collegedoes not approve current students to take courses at another institution unless NMSU is not offering a comparable course. The same is true for the Business College, though exceptions may be granted depending on relevant circumstances.

International students seeking to transfer credits from foreign institutions are required to obtain authentication and translation of their transcripts through a third party.[link-Michael Schmelzle]

4.A.4. NMSUmaintains and exercises authority over the prerequisites for courses, rigor of courses, expectations for student learning, access to learning resources, and faculty qualifications for all its programs, including dual credit programs. It assures that its dual credit courses or programs for high school students are equivalent in learning outcomes and levels of achievement to its higher education curriculum.