Academic Program Review: Online Education

About

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has formally integrated online education into its Academic Program Review (APR) process through a strategic partnership between the Office of Assessment & Academic Program Review (OAAPR) and UNM Online (UNMO). This inclusion is reflected in the updated Self-Study template, which now features a distinct criterion for online programming, encompassing areas such as curriculum, quality review, student support, and faculty engagement.

UNMO supplies a dedicated portion of the required data—specifically addressing the health, performance, and strategic direction of online programs. This data is used by the academic entity (college, school, department, online program, etc.) to inform their analysis and response within the Self-Study, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of their online offerings and ensuring that online programs are reviewed alongside traditional ones. This collaborative approach enhances the depth and relevance of academic reviews and supports continuous improvement across all modalities.

Within the Academic Program Review (APR) process, there are two key touchpoints that, when applicable, center on focused discussions about the financial viability of Accelerated Online Programs (AOPs). These occur during the Mid-Cycle Review and the UNMO Check-In Meeting following the Site Visit. At both stages, data packets prepared by UNM Online (UNMO) are used to assess the health and performance of online offerings, including AOPs. These discussions provide an opportunity for academic units and leadership to evaluate whether AOPs are operating as financially self-sustaining models and to determine if further strategic planning or intervention is needed to support their long-term success.

In the near future, this webpage will provide detailed guidance on the data UNMO supplies for the Academic Program Review.