Assessing the Effectiveness and Viability of an Academic Program: A Holistic Conceptual Framework

The aim of this book is to propose a holistic conceptual framework for “program review” to assess the effectiveness and viability of an academic program and to improve the academic program and the education of the students. The proposed framework consists of three main components: program review process, program review principles and the program review measurement matrix. The framework and the methods used to create it will provide an opportunity to colleges and universities to undertake a robust and targeted approach to proactively and continuously review their academic programs to ensure that programs are functioning at the highest possible levels of academic quality and are consistent with the mission of the college or the university. The framework will transform the “program review” process into a continuing assessment activity rather than a periodic event.

Dr. Majdalawieh is an associate professor of ES and MIS at Zayed University (ZU). He worked for AUS in UAE for 6 years and worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, HP, Compaq, and DEC in the USA for more than 22 years. Dr. Marks is the provost’s advisor for academic quality in ZU. Prior to ZU, he was an associate professor and a dept. chair in the USA.