Applying the capability maturity model to assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning (AoL) focuses on the continuous improvement of curriculum development, program review, and, in many cases, accreditation. AoL programs are important for assessing undergraduate, masters, and/or doctoral degree programs, as well as the impact on curriculum management. A recent m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communications of the IIMA 2013-01, Vol.13 (1), p.1
Main Author: Marchewka, Jack T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accreditation
Analysis
Business education
Business schools
Curriculum development
Learning
Mathematics
Polls & surveys
Software
Software development
Students
Studies
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Summary:Assurance of Learning (AoL) focuses on the continuous improvement of curriculum development, program review, and, in many cases, accreditation. AoL programs are important for assessing undergraduate, masters, and/or doctoral degree programs, as well as the impact on curriculum management. A recent mandate from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the need for mature AoL processes to be in place. This paper describes the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and discusses how it can be applied to assess the maturity and capability of any educational institution's AoL initiative. An Aol-CMM model introduced and discussed in this paper can be used to assess an academic institution's AoL maturity and then act as a road map to develop and align key processes to plan and advance to a higher level of AoL maturity. A set of AoL key processes at an AACSB accredited business school provides a backdrop and discussion to understand better the application of this CMM framework. This should be of interest and value since the model can be used by schools and programs with varying levels of process maturity and capability. Even institutions not interested in accreditation may find the application of a maturity model useful for improving academic excellence. Regardless, each school or program can assess its current state and then develop an evolutionary plan to reach the next higher level of AoL process maturity. Keywords: Assurance of leaning (AoL), capability maturity model (CMM), accreditation
ISSN:1543-5970
1941-6687