Revision Responsibility: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Responsible Executive Office: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Purpose: To define the role and function of the program advisory committee and to establish committee procedures.

Policy:

I. Program advisory committees are lay committees appointed to review the established curricula of the program, instructional-related program materials, equipment and facilities, and student achievement outcomes as a means to provide the College with an external review of its programs.  As such, they do not establish policy and/or procedures nor become involved in program or department operations.  (See ACCSC July 1, 2017 Standards of Accreditation Section II,(A) (6) (a-g)). 

II. For each undergraduate degree program area, the College must have a diverse program advisory committee that includes qualified representatives from the employment community, practitioners, and others from the field of higher education, regulators, etc. as appropriate.  Program advisory committee meetings must include at least three members in attendance that represent the employment community and/or practitioners from the program area.  (See ACCSC July 1, 2017 Standards of Accreditation Section II,(A) (6) (a-g)). 

III. Program advisory committees for each degree program must hold at least two regularly scheduled meetings annually, one of which must be held at the College.  Written and detailed minutes of each meeting must be maintained and include a description of all members in attendance (i.e. titles and affiliations); the date, time, and location of the meeting; and a comprehensive and clear description of the review of and commentary made by the College representatives and the program advisory committee members. (See ACCSC July 1, 2017 Standards of Accreditation Section II,(A) (6) (a-g)). 

IV. Program advisory committee review and comments must include:

• Review, at least annually, the established curriculum of the program and comment as to the appropriateness and adequacy of the program objectives, program length, curriculum content (including academic general education, learning resources, and the adequacy of facilities and equipment.
• Review and comment, at least annually, on student graduation, graduate employment, and state licensing examination outcomes of the nursing program.
• Review and comment on each  program including the appropriateness of curriculum objectives, program length, and curriculum content of all new programs prior to submission for Commission approval. 
• The college must provide evidence that is gives consideration to program advisory committee input. Evidence can take many forms, one such being the disclosure of the College's consideration records in PAC meeting minutes, whereby a College describes whether recommendations were implemented or not and explains the College's decisions. (See ACCSC July 1, 2017 Standards of Accreditation Section II,(A) (6) (a-g)).
• Program Advisory Committees for programs or courses offered via distance education must include at least one additional individual with experience in the delivery and administration of distance education programs who can review and comment on the College's distance education platform, methods, processes, procedures, and infrastructure in the context of the program/course content and objectives.

Procedures:

I. Appointment of Committee Members

• Each program or department will recommend to the Vice President of Academic Affairs the maximum size of the committee.
• The President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean, School of Nursing will serve as ex officio members of the committee.
• Program advisory committees must be comprised of appropriately qualified representatives external to the institution (i.e., non college employees) who can provide a meaningful review of the college’s programs and supporting resources and materials.  (See ACCSC July 1, 2017 Standards of Accreditation Section II,(A) (6) (a-g)). 

The Dean, in conjunction with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, will identify prospective committee members and will retain each candidate’s background and qualifications, along with a brief recommendation statement. 

• The Vice President of Academic Affairs will approve or disapprove the recommendations and issue a formal invitation to those individuals approved.

II. Minutes will be kept at each meeting and disseminated in a timely manner to program advisory committee members, program faculty and staff, and administrators. 

Created: July 28, 2009, Revised:  January 17, 2011 to reflect revised organizational chart, July 10, 2014 to reflect new July 2014 Standards of Accreditation PAC requirements and changes, July 1, 2017 to reflect updated Standards of Accreditation