Compliance Review

The general education requirements, called the University Core, are found on page 19 in the catalog and online. While the requirements are included in the curriculum for each academic program, they are not identified as the Core. Students and faculty can access major program requirements through the online degree audit SIS.

In the listings of general education course syllabi, goals and outcomes are identified in most cases, and program goals can be found. A description of the committees and their roles was found in the Faculty Handbook, and minutes of the curriculum committee were found.

Major program requirements are defined by the faculty and administration for the program and conform to accepted standards. All programs eligible for accreditation are currently accredited. Changes in major requirements are submitted by the department or college to the CRC, Curriculum Review Council, for final approval. The committee meets monthly according to the Faculty Handbook and has 18 members, 12 of which are faculty representatives.

Major program requirements are defined by the faculty and administration responsible for the program and conform to accepted standards. All programs eligible for accreditation are currently accredited by the respective national accrediting bodies and conform to requirements set by those bodies. Changes in major requirements are submitted by the department or college to the CRC, which has final approval.  Program requirements for graduate programs must receive approval of the Graduate Council.  Minutes of the September 2005 meeting reflect this approval process.

All program requirements conform to BoR policies and procedures.

The BoR stipulates in Academic Affairs Policy 2.13 procedures for national accreditation, including identifying mandatory, recommended, and optional agencies. Currently, all board-identified undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern that have an accrediting agency are approved by those agencies.

In addition, the University requires a rigorous and regular review of all programs without national accreditation requirements. This self-study process requires participation by external peer reviewers to ensure that programs are consistent with universally accepted academic standards. These external reviewers address and assess areas such as the department’s mission, program quality, the relationship between the program and other University programs, program characteristics, program support, diversity issues, and community outreach.