Curriculum Review

This page is intended for programs with an existing and stable program vision. If you are creating a new program or if you need to re-envision your current program because of recent changes that have impacted the curriculum, please refer to the Curriculum Planning for New Programs page.

 At Western, the IQAP process is overseen and supported by the Office of Academic Quality and Enhancement (OAQE) and by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. For information about the process and timeline, please visit the OAQE website.

Ways in which the CTL supports programs during the self-study

• Provide feedback on retreat plans (selection of activities, timing, questions)
• Facilitate all or part of program curriculum retreats (optimally booked 2-3 months in advance of a scheduled retreat)
• Feedback on Program Learning Outcomes
• Support for curriculum mapping by providing templates and feedback
• Collecting Curriculum Data

Taking a scholarly approach to curriculum review

Think of curriculum review as an opportunity to collect data about the quality and outcomes of the curriculum and analyze it using the same research methods you may already use in your own research.  Quantitative analysis of survey data or qualitative analysis of focus group and interview data provides material you may include in your self-study document; or use as the starting point for discussion about curriculum renewal at a faculty retreat. Types of data to support your self-study:

• surveys and focus groups about the strengths and weaknesses of the program (e.g., current students and alumni, employers, faculty, etc.)
• surveys about how alumni use what they learned in their careers
• student grades, sample work, and evidence of learning over time
• faculty-generated curriculum plans and vision
• curriculum maps that link learning outcomes with assessments and teaching methods
• Program-visioning retreats (e.g. CTL-led SOAR retreats)
• employment metrics of graduates, admission to graduate school, etc.

The Office of Academic Quality and Enhancement supports data collection. Please connect with them to learn more.

Resources and CTL Support

The  CTL can provide:

• Guide: Conducting focus groups for curriculum review and improvement
• Strategies for gathering evidence of student achievement.
• Feedback on survey design, see also:
• survey template for undergraduate students or alumni
• example of undergraduate alumni online survey (Classics, Western)
• example of first year survey (History, Western)
• example of exit survey (History, Western)

Now What?

You will need to establish Program-level Learning Outcomes for your self-study. If you need to create new Program-level Learning Outcomes, or if you wish to revise your current Program-level Learning Outcomes, you can proceed to the Program-level Learning Outcomes page.

If your current Program Learning Outcomes do not require revision, you can proceed to the Curriculum Mapping page.