What is the External Review? In this phase of program review, an external review team reads the Self-Study and engages in a site visit to the College (in person or virtually), in which they meet students, alumni, faculty, academic and student support staff, and other members of the college community to explore the strengths and challenges facing the program. Based on the Self-Study and this ‘site’ visit, the external review team write a report (the Final Report) that includes recommendations for future development of the program.
When does it happen? This is Phase Four of program review and happens after the data gathering has been completed and the Self-Study written.
Who organizes it? With the support of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation, the External Review is organized by the program review lead / co-lead and department chair.
Who is involved? The External Review Team will want to meet with the students, alumni, faculty, academic and student support staff and other members of the college community.
Who decides who is nominated to be part of the External Review Team? Based on recommendations from departmental faculty, the dean approaches one person at NIC but external to the department / program area, and two people at people at two other institutions involved in similar fields, to ask them to be a member of the team. NIC faculty need the approval of their chair to take part in the process.
How long does an External Review take? This may depend on whether the visit is in-person or virtual and the availability of those requested to be involved. A virtual visit may take two days due to the intensity of holding online meetings.
What happens after the External Review visit? After the visit, the External Review Team come together to write up their findings and offer their recommendations. This may take anywhere between 1-3 months. Once this report is completed it is sent to program chair and program review lead. It is then made available to the rest of the department. The process of responding to the recommendations and writing a Final Report and Action Plan can and should take months to do, as several all-faculty department meetings are required. Ideally the Final Report is developed as a collaboratively written report by many members of the department / program area.
Other useful resources:
BCIT Program Review Manual – section V (pages 31-34 Conducting the external review)
Quality Assurance Curriculum Review Handbook – section E Curriculum Review Report and Appendix IV (pages 3-4 and pages 10-12)
Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance – Quality Assurance Framework– section 4.3 (pages 24-25)