Quality Assurance of Programs
Key points contained in this document:
Program review
Internal process
External program review
Program review
To ensure the quality of its programs, FIC has developed an internal quality assurance process which critically evaluates both inputs and outcomes relating to each program, and presents outcomes in semesterly reports.
Additionally, as a non-self-accrediting institution, FIC is subject to quality assurance processes undertaken by regulatory authorities, which include external reviews of the Colleges programs.
Internal process
Program Development
New program development is undertaken with input from a range of internal and external stakeholders, using curriculum which draws exclusively on lower division courses within Simon Fraser University (SFU) programs.
The process engages FIC and the University to ensure a coherent body of discipline knowledge with relevant industry outcomes and seamless articulation to further degree studies.
Structured approval processes involve College governance structures and Simon Fraser University.
Semesterly program review / Performance reports
Data is collected and analyzed on a range of program performance indicators, including
• Market demand;
• Distribution of grades;
• Completion / attrition rates;
• Graduate progression;
• Academic outcomes of graduates in further studies;
• Student and graduate surveys.
External benchmarks are used wherever possible to measure results collected.
Data then forms the basis of the semesterly End of Term Report considered by the Senior Team Management (detailed reports for each program) and Academic Advisory Committee (overview of all courses/programs). Membership of the Academic Advisory Committee includes internal and University (which may include professional body and industry) representatives.
The Report also contains suggested revisions informed by performance indicators, student, staff, and SFU Course Coordinator feedback, as well as Simon Fraser University recommendations for revisions to relevant programs, resulting from the University's ongoing quality assurance process for its degrees.
Any revisions follow approval processes outlined in College policies.
Discussions and outcomes are tracked and reported back at subsequent committee meetings.
Curriculum quality assurance
UTP II curriculum is drawn exclusively from Simon Fraser University undergraduate degree programs. It therefore benefits from the discipline-specific expertise and academic rigour which the University applies to its own curriculum.
The Senior Team Management also monitors curriculum in light of Student Course/Instructor Evaluation feedback, assessment outcomes and pass/fail rates. Outcomes are reported and reviewed at the Academic Advisory Committee meetings. Adaptations may be made to curriculum, in consultation with Simon Fraser University Course Coordinators, to better suit the nature of the FIC delivery method.
External program review
Simon Fraser University moderation processes
Simon Fraser University undertakes a moderation process of College course outlines, assessment structures, grading schemes, major tests, including final examinations, and final grade assignment and distributions.
This ongoing supervision process ensures continuous improvement and benchmarking of FIC programs and courses.
