Procedures for Designing the Study Plan and Setting up or Ceasing/ Closing Undergraduate Programs at the American University of Madaba for the year 2023
Issued by
The Council of Deans according to Article (16) of the Jordanian Universities Law No. (18) Of 2018 and its amendments
1- Study Plan: The study plan should include the following:
a. The Academic Curriculum which is set for each program includes the program courses, the number of credit hours for each course, the number of weekly laboratory hours and/or practical hours, Pre-requisite and/or co-requisite with each course.
b. Credit-hour definition: Each credit hour is calculated based on no less than one hour (50 minutes) per week in a semester of 16 weeks. However, each lab/practical credit hour is at least two hours per week in a semester of 16 weeks.
c. Description of the courses.
d. The advisory plan.
e. Learning Outcomes.
f. The correlation matrix among the courses, the core competencies, learning objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies, linking syllabus with course ILOs.
g. Distributing the courses based on the knowledge areas specified by bodies in Jordan and the USA.
2- New Programs:
1. The concerned School Dean forms a committee to present a draft and propose a study plan for the new program to the School Council, provided that the following are taken into consideration:
a. Competencies, Learning Objectives, and Learning Outcomes.
b. Meeting knowledge areas as indicated by Jordanian AQACHEI.
c. Accreditation standards in terms of the Credit Hours per a study plan.
d. Including at least 40 Credit Hours under General Education.
e. Comparison and benchmarking against similar programs in Jordanian and American universities.
f. Market feasibility study to assess the need of the new program and identify potential markets.
g. Feedback from stakeholders
The committee is encouraged to seek the assistance of the expertise of external parties and students related to the fulfillment of the tasks required of it.
2. The Dean, upon the School Council's recommendation, seeks the approval of the Council of Deans based on the recommendation of the Study Plan Committee.
3. upon approval of the Council of Deans;
a. The recommended program is then sent out to the Board of Trustees for approval.
b. The University shall formally apply for approval by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and shall provide required documentation that includes at least (Approval decisions by (the School Council, Council of Deans and Board of Trustees), market study, study plan, suggested faculty members for the new program).
c. The University shall apply for approval from the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions and approval from the Registration and/or accreditation bodies of the USA.
3- Modification and enhancement to the study plan:
a. Programs are periodically evaluated for continuous academic improvement and meeting the ever-changing market needs as per the “Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment framework.”
b. The concerned department council reviews the study plan with all its components at least once every four to five years in accordance with the minimum study period of specialization for the purpose of continuous development and sustainable amendment to stay competitive and relevant to the societal and market needs; taking into account the input from:
1. Requirements of the Accreditation Associations.
2. Program Review Assessment outcomes as per the Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment Framework.
c. Amendments to the study plans are requested by the Department, approved by the School Council, and finally by the Council of Deans based on the recommendation of the Study Plan Committee.
4- Ceasing / Closure of a Program:
a. A program may be subject to ceasing/closure based on the outcome of the Program review assessment (Institution Effectiveness and Assessment Framework).
b. Ceasing/closure of an existing program is subject to the same sequence of approval process of new programs.
Ceasing/Closure process
1- A comprehensive review report of the program is submitted to the Council of Deans for program ceasing/closure
a. A well-structured plan of the students’ remaining credit hours to help them finish the program.
b. A well-structured plan for the academic members and staff to maintain teaching activities.
c. Laboratories, drawing studios, workshops, and other program-specific facilities used by the program.
2- The Board of Trustees shall take the final decision on the ceasing/closure and modification of the program, upon the recommendation of the Council of Deans and related School Councils.
3- Approval of the Higher Education Council/ Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
4- Informing the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions in Jordan and other related bodies in both Jordan and the USA.
5- However, in some situations, ceasing/closure and modification of a program may be implemented based on the following:
a. Low student enrollment in four consecutive semesters, excluding the summer term.
b. Implementation of new Governmental policies.
c. Major industry alerts.
d. Low retention rates.
e. Student, alumni, and employer feedback.
A comprehensive review report of the program should be submitted to the Council of Deans, including Labor Market study, no. of students as of inception date, employers’ feedback, alumni feedback, students’ feedback, and financial analysis.
AUM is committed to graduate the remaining students in the program that is to be ceased/ closed and will provide the required courses and School to ensure the completion of the remaining courses and graduation of students, but meanwhile will stop new enrollments.
Student Records of a ceased/closed program are subject to "Student Academic Records" regulations
5- Other
The Council of Deans and the Director of Admission and Registration are responsible for implementing these procedures.