1 / 76

STATUS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACCREDITATION ISECON, October 2001

STATUS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACCREDITATION ISECON, October 2001. John T.Gorgone, Bentley College David L. Feinstein, University of South Alabama. IS ACCREDITATION EXECUTIVE COMMITEE. Dr. David Feinstein, Univ. of South Alabama Dr. John T. Gorgone, Bentley College

athena-higgins
Download Presentation

STATUS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACCREDITATION ISECON, October 2001

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. STATUS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACCREDITATIONISECON, October 2001 John T.Gorgone, Bentley College David L. Feinstein, University of South Alabama ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  2. IS ACCREDITATION EXECUTIVE COMMITEE Dr. David Feinstein, Univ. of South Alabama Dr. John T. Gorgone, Bentley College Dr. John C. Henderson, Boston University Dr Willis K. King, University of Houston Dr. Benn R. Konsynski, Emory University Dr. Doris K. Lidtke, Towson University Dr. Sorel Reisman, California State University Dr. Jon A. Turner, New York University Dr. Joe Valacich, Washington State University Dr. Gayle J. Yaverbaum,Penn State Harrisburg ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  3. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Questions ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  4. Three Types of Accreditors • Regional Accreditors • Accredit public & private two- & four-year institutions. • Comprehensive review of all institutional functions • National Accreditors • Accredit public & private institutions, frequently single-purpose institutions • Specialized & Professional Accreditors ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  5. Three Types of Accreditors • Specialized & Professional Accreditors • Accredit specific programs or schools including business schools, accounting programs, computing programs, engineering schools and programs, law schools, medical schools, and health professional programs • E.g. AACSB, ABET ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  6. Purposes of Accreditation • Assuring Quality • Primary means to assure quality to students & the public • A signal that program meets at least minimal standards for its faculty, curriculum, student services, libraries and fiscal stability. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  7. Purposes of Accreditation • Engendering Employer Confidence • Accreditation status is important to employers when evaluating credentials of job applicants and • when deciding whether to provide tuition support for current employees seeking additional education. • Easing Transfer of Courses Among Colleges ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  8. Who Benefits from Accreditation • Students • Employers • Public • Institution • Reputation • Department • Program ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  9. Five Key Features of Accreditation • Self Study: Summary of performance • Peer Review: People in the profession • Site Visit: Visit team review of program • Action by Accrediting Organization • Ongoing External Review: Cycles up to 10 years ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  10. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Questions ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  11. Computing Accreditation Background • CS accreditation began in USA in 1986 • 166 accredited programs at 158 institution in USA • Programs reviewed by faculty and qualified industry visitors (volunteers from universities and industry) • Only programs located in regionally accredited institutions are eligible • Process takes nearly 2 years. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  12. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Criteria Details ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  13. IS Accreditation – Current Status • Web survey of Draft Criteria (300 responses) • Revision of Draft Criteria • CSAB approved Criteria for testing- 7/00 • ABET EC approved pilot test for Fall 2001 • IS Criteria posted to web: www.abet.org • Documents prepared, Evaluators Trained • 2001-2002 Program Review Cycle in progress ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  14. IS Accreditation – Current Status • Program Selected, Self-study completed • October 2001- Team Visit Completed • July 2002 - Action on visit • September 2002 – Final Statement • Next Cycle – 2002-2003 • Fall 2002 – additional visits ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  15. IS Accreditation – Current Status • Review & Revise materials • Review & Revise Proposed IS Criteria (August 2000 version 5.2) • ABET final approval of IS Criteria 11/3/01 • Identify IS programs interested in accreditation ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  16. IS Accreditation – Current Status • Identify IS faculty and IS industry professional interested becoming program evaluators • Membership in the ACM, the IEEE/CS, or the AIS is expected.  Good communication skills are necessary. • Ph.D. In a computing discipline • At least associate professor rank • See www.csab.org for details & application ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  17. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Criteria Details ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  18. Process for Initial Accreditation • Study the Criteria • Be sure your program meets the Criteria • Be sure all students in the program meet the Criteria • Be certain your infrastructure meets the Criteria • Be sure you have support from the Administration ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  19. Process - Pre-visit • Self-analysis of program • does it meet CAC Criteria? • Invitation issued by CAC (November) • Prepare self-study and collect course materials (Fall prior to visit) • Submit Request for Evaluation (January 31) • Pay fee for evaluation (June 1) • Submit Self-Study (July 1) ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  20. Self-Study - 1 • One Volume + Appendix • Contents • Objectives and Assessment • Student Support • Faculty • Curriculum • Laboratory and Computing Facilities • Institutional Support and Financial Resources • Institutional Facilities ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  21. Self-Study - 2 - Appendices • I. Information Relative to the Entire Institution • II. General Information on the Unit Responsible for the Information Systems Program • III. Finances • IV. IS Program Personnel and Policies Towards Consulting, Professional Development, and Recruiting • V. IS Program Enrollment and Degree Data • VI. Admission Requirements ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  22. Process - Visit • Schedule visit (July - August) • Work with your Administration to be sure they can meet with visitors • Host 2-3 day visit (Sep.-Nov.) • Prepare schedule with Team Chair • Prepare course exhibits and space for visitors • Be certain faculty, students, & administrators are available for scheduled meetings ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  23. Process - Post-visit • Receive Preliminary Statement (March) • Respond to Preliminary Statement (30 days) • Preliminary report finalized • Presentation at CAC Annual Meeting (July) • Final Statement received (August - Sept.) ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  24. Accreditation Actions • Each program reviewed in Fall xx is voted on at the CAC Annual Meeting in July of xx+1 • Programs are informed of Action in August of xx+1 ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  25. Accreditation Actions & Durations General Action Duration (Yrs) NGR Next General Review 6 IR Interim Report 2 IV Interim Visit 2 SC Show Cause 1 ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  26. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Questions ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  27. IS Accreditation: Objectives • Assure graduates of an accredited program are adequately prepared to enter and continue the practice of information systems • Stimulate the improvement of IS education • Encourage new & innovative approaches to IS education and its assessment • Identify accredited programs to the public ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  28. Philosophy • Institutions and Programs define mission and objectives to meet the needs of their constituents -- enable program differentiation • Programs demonstrate how criteria and educational objectives are being met ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  29. Evaluative Criteria Structure Two documents • Criteria for Accrediting Computing Programs in the United States • eight Categories • each category is divided into • Intent • Standards ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  30. Evaluative Criteria Structure 2. Guidance for Interpreting the Criteria for Accrediting Programs in Computing in the United States • Eight sections • one per criteria category • contents mapped to specific Standards ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  31. Criteria Categories • Objectives and Assessments • Students • Faculty • Curriculum • Technology Infrastructure • Institutional Support/Financial Resources • Program Delivery • Institutional Facilities ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  32. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Questions ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  33. Criteria Overview What is an Intent statement? • An Intent statement is a high level description of a program that conforms to a particular Criteria Category. • In order to be accreditable, a program must meet the Intent statement of every Category. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  34. Criteria Overview Example of an Intent Statement Category: Faculty • Faculty members are current and active in the discipline and have the necessary technical breadth and depth to support a modern information systems program. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  35. Criteria Overview The Standards • Standards are a series of enumerated statements of how to minimally meet the Intent of aparticular Category. • Standards are both qualitative and quantitative • Standards define minimum essential elements • A program that satisfies all the Standards of a Category meets the Intent of that Category. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  36. Criteria Overview Examples of Standards Category: Faculty One of the five standards in the Category: III.1 Interests, qualifications, and scholarly contributions must be sufficient to • teach the courses, • plan & modify the courses & curriculum, and • remain abreast of current developments in information systems. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  37. Agenda • Overview of U.S. Accreditation • Computing Accreditation Background • Status of IS Accreditation • Accreditation Process • IS Accreditation • Criteria Overview • Questions • Criteria Details available for discussion ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  38. Questions • What questions do you have about IS Accreditation? • Criteria details are available for discussion as time permits. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  39. Criteria Criteria: Details • General introduction • Detailed discussion of each Criteria category will include • Intent • Standards ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  40. Criteria Categories • Objectives and Assessments • Students • Faculty • Curriculum • Technology Infrastructure • Institutional Support/Financial Resources • Program Delivery • Institutional Facilities ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  41. Objectives and Assessments CategoryMotivation - 1 • Why include Objectives and Assessments in the criteria? • Aligns CSAB/ABET accreditation with • direction of regional accreditation bodies • criteria of other program oriented accreditation bodies • Demonstrates stable program direction in the face of natural program evolution ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  42. Objectives and Assessments Motivation - 2 • Why are documented objectives important? • Ensures alignment with stated mission and goals • Provides program direction • to plan appropriate program evolution • to form the basis for decisions • Enables effectiveness measurement of program activities • Provides foundation for continuous improvement • Addresses issue of increased accountability ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  43. I. Objectives and Assessments Intent: • The program has documented educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the institution. • The program has in place processes to regularly assess its progress against its objectives and uses the results of the assessments to identify program improvements and to modify the program’s objectives. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  44. I. Objectives and Assessments Standards: • The program must have documented, educational objectives. • Objectives must include expected outcomes for graduating students. • Mechanisms must be in place to periodically review the program and courses. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  45. Objectives and Assessments: Standards (Cont’d.) • Program assessment results must be used to help identify and implement program improvement. • Program review and actions taken must be documented. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  46. II. Students Intent: • Students can complete the program in a reasonable amount of time. • Students have ample opportunity to interact with their instructors and are offered timely guidance and advice about the program’s requirements and their career alternatives. • Students who graduate the program meet all program requirements. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  47. II. Students Standards: • Courses offered with sufficient frequency for students to complete the program in a timely manner. • Program must be structured to ensure effective interaction between teaching faculty and students. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  48. Students: Standards (Cont’d) • Advising on program completion, course selection and career opportunities must be available to all students. • Standards and procedures are established that ensure that graduates meet program requirements. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  49. III. Faculty Intent: • Faculty members are current and active in the discipline and have the necessary technical breadth and depth to support a modern information systems program. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

  50. III. Faculty Standards: • Interests, qualifications, and scholarly contributions must be sufficient to • teach the courses, • plan and modify the courses and curriculum, and • remain abreast of current developments in information systems. • Must have a level of competence normally obtained through graduate work in information systems. ISECON 2001 Gorgone & Feinstein

More Related