Cyclical Program Review
Periodic cyclical reviews are conducted of all existing undergraduate degree programs, graduate degree programs, and for-credit graduate diploma programs, at a minimum, once every eight years. The cyclical review process is regulated by Trent University’s Institutional Quality Assurance Policy and Processes (IQAP). Cyclical program review is a self-regulatory process subject to periodic audit by the Quality Council.
Purpose of Review
- To help promote, maintain and improve the quality of education at Trent University
- To provide assurance of program quality to students, partners, government and broader public
- To provide for peer-review evaluation by expert disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholars
- To provide benchmarks for assessing a program’s standards and quality, i.e., degree level expectations
- To provide information and insight about program quality which the University can make decisions about academic programs, which may include, improvements, modifications, or termination of an academic program
Schedule of Reviews
The Schedule indicates the academic year in which the site visit will occur. Academic Unit(s) will begin work on Review Documentation in the academic year prior to the site visit.[e.g., if the site visit is scheduled for 2025-2026, the academic unit will begin preparing documentation in 2024-2025].
Schedule of Cyclical Reviews - By Academic Year (PDF)
Student Involvement and Participation
The self-study should focus on student learning and experience and discuss how students participate and are involved in providing feedback in the development and improvement of degree programs.
Student Involvement and Participation in the Cyclical Review Process (PDF)
Stages of Cyclical Review Process
Phase | Action | Principal Components |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | In Academic Year Prior to Site Visit - Preparation of Self-Study and Appendices | Self-Study |
| Phase 2 | Date indicated on Review Schedule represents year in which site visit will take place - Site Visit takes place and Review Committee submits Report | External Reviewers’ Report |
| Phase 3 | Programs and Deans provide Responses to Report | Program Response Decanal Response |
| Phase 4 | CPRC prepares Final Assessment Report and Implementation Plan | Final Assessment Report & Implementation Plan |
| Phase 5 | Academic Unit submits Implementation Report; Review Process is Complete | Implementation Report |
Contact
Questions related to the cyclical review process should be directed to:
Jennie Davis
Quality Assurance Coordinator, Office of the Provost & VP Academic
jenniedavis@trentu.ca
705-748-1011 ext. 6746