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Institutional Effectiveness Committee
Institutional Effectiveness at Arcadia University encompasses a portfolio of activities that evaluate and demonstrate the achievement of strategic goals, our overall mission, and the quality of our programs and services. In collaboration with the Arcadia community, and the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee (IEC) supports and promotes continuous improvement activities at the University, including accreditation; academic program assessment; administrative planning and evaluation; institutional research and reporting; and strategic planning analysis.
The Institutional Effectiveness Committee seeks to explore and answer the questions in the context of our mission:
- What is it we hope to achieve as a University? Our goals?
- Are we doing the things we are positioned to do, and doing them well?
- How are we using what we learn about ourselves to improve?
- How are we communicating the outcomes of these activities?
- How can we better provide students, staff and faculty with rich experiences at Arcadia?
Forms, Templates and Guidelines
Linked below are forms and documents that will assist in conducting effective assessments and reviews in departments/offices.
Data-driven Decisions
From 2018 and 2019, unit evaluations were conducted to help form a readiness assessment for our strategy development process. These evaluations helped to provide a data-driven strategy for individual units' strategic plans, and helped the University address strengths and weaknesses of respective units.
| Academic Affairs | Fall 2019 |
| Enrollment Management/Student Affairs | Fall 2018/Spring 2019 |
| Finance and Administration | Spring 2019 |
| General Counsel | View Assessment |
| The College of Global Studies | Fall 2019 |
| University Advancement | View Assessment |
| University Relations | View Assessment |
Accreditations
Institutional Accreditation: MSCHE
Middle States Commission on Higher Education serves as Arcadia University’s regional accrediting body and is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Every 8 years, Arcadia conducts a Self-Study guided by the Middle States Standards for Good Practice and adheres to the MSCHE policies regarding course development and assessment.
Program Accreditations
| Accrediting Body | Arcadia Program | Current Until |
|---|---|---|
| Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) | University | 2019 |
| Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPT) | Physical Therapy | 2022 |
| Accreditation Review Commission on Education - Physician's Assistant (ARC-PA) | Physician's Assistant | 2028 |
| Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) | Genetic Counseling | 2024 |
| Pennsylvania Department of Education | Teacher Education | 2018 |
| Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) | Public Health | 2025 |
| National Association of Art & Design (NASAD) | Art & Design | 2019 |
| Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) | Counseling Psychology | 2021 |
| Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) | Forensic Science | 2022 |
| Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) | Masters of Business Administration | 2028 |
Effectiveness Resources
Look to the following useful resources for guidance in building or conducting assessments:
- Dana Dunn et al (2011). Using Quality Benchmarks for Assessing and Developing Undergraduate Programs. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
- Linda Suskie (2009) Assessing Student Learning. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
- Barbara E. Walvoord (2010) Assessment Clear and Simple. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.