Academic Planning at UW—Madison
About Academic Planning
Academic Planning, a part of Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research (DAPIR), provides guidance and oversight for a variety of academic administrative functions, including academic program and course planning, program review, university accreditation, academic policy, and more.
The academic structure and its elements are the building blocks for an academic institution, from the institution itself down to degrees. Components of the structure include academic careers, academic divisions (schools and colleges), academic units (departments), awards (degrees, plans, subplans, etc.), and course subject listings.
Learn more about institutional academic planning
Program planning
Program planning involves the work of planning for, implementing, and maintaining quality academic programs within the university’s program array. Academic programs include degree/majors, named options, certificate programs, honors programs, and minors.
Course planning
Course planning consists of the regular review, creation, revision, and deactivation of courses, subjects, and items that support awarding of credit, such as third-party exams, credit by departmental examinations, and departmental placement tests.
Program review
Program review provides a valuable and periodic opportunity to assess each academic program’s quality and effectiveness, stimulate planning and continuous improvement, and encourage strategic development. All academic programs are reviewed at least once every ten years.
Accreditation
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913. In addition, a variety of academic programs on campus, ranging from business to engineering to nursing, feature specialized accreditation as an indication of program quality and accountability.