Academic Assessment
The Office of Accreditation and Assessment (OAA) is committed to continuous improvement and alignment with best practices in higher education for academic assessment. The OAA is focused on streamlining the assessment process by aligning it with Kean’s new department chair model. This alignment will lead to improved data collection, reporting, and accountability mechanisms, ultimately fostering a culture of assessment excellence across the institution.
The OAA facilitates the academic assessment process by providing training and access to assessment tools for those tasked with academic assessment. The OAA oversees and coordinates the assessment of the individual academic programs/departments, annual assessment reports and the five-year program reviews using the Watermark Assessment Management System.
The OAA oversees the accreditation of the University and its programs by state and other specialized accreditation agencies.
The OAA coordinates with the University Senate’s Assessment Committee to plan, implement, and evaluate professional development workshops, seminars, panels, and online assistance which focuses on student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness.
Academic Assessment - Important Dates
- The deadline to submit the 2025-2026 Annual Academic Plan is November 15, 2025.
- The deadline to submit the 2025-2026 Annual Academic Report is June 30, 2026.
- The deadline to submit the AY 2025-2026 Dean’s Report to Provost – due by July 31, 2026. The report template can be found here: AY 2025-2026 Dean's College Level Report.docx
Academic Program Assessment Resources
- Watermark Assessment Management System for Planning and Self-Study
- Watermark - Identify Ways to Improve, Evolve and Empower Student Learning Outcomes
- Please click on the link to view: Watermark - Video
Academic 5-Year Program Review
Kean University sustains program quality through regular reviews. Accredited programs follow accrediting agency schedules, while non-accredited programs complete a 5-Year Program Review that includes a self-study and an external site visit. The Office of Accreditation and Assessment (OAA) manages the review schedule, notifies programs, and provides support throughout the process.
- Academic Program Review Guidelines (October 2024)
- The Office of Accreditation and Assessment (OAA) Institutional Profile and Resources Guide
2026 Schedule
| Department | Year |
|---|---|
| Department of History | 2026 |
| School of Integrative Science and Technology | 2026 |
| Sociology Program | 2026 |
5-Year Program Review Report (Self-Study)
Programs will complete the self-study in the Watermark Assessment Management System, addressing program goals, relevance to employment and graduate education, enrollment and graduation trends, faculty qualifications and resources, and student outcomes.
External Review Report
Following the site visit, the external reviewer will submit a report detailing key findings, strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations.
Implementation of Recommendations
The Chair/Director and assessment coordinator will work with the Dean and OAA to coordinate implementation and establish timelines for follow-up.
OAA’S NEW INITIATIVES
The Program Assessment System (PAS): This new initiative offers a centralized, proactive approach to academic assessment, providing academic a standardized framework for area-specific assessments. For more information, contact Dr. Colin Anderson (coanders@kean.edu) and click the links below for additional details.
The OAA has introduced a new initiative to streamline the collection of student achievement data through the Canvas LMS. This process enhances data collection, analysis, and reporting for academic assessments and accreditation, with no additional effort required from students or faculty. For more information, contact Dr. Susan Ahern (sahern@kean.edu) and click the link below for more details.