Academic Portfolio Blueprint Characteristics and Criteria

Academic Portfolio Blueprint Characteristics

The six characteristics below are intended to be inspirational in defining the Academic Portfolio. They illuminate areas of importance that we, the RIT community, aspire to during the next five years. They have germinated out of extensive dialogue, research and discussion across the RIT campus. The APB, which is comprised of characteristics, criteria and supporting narrative, is not intended to be a prescriptive document. It will be a guiding document for academic program proposals.

Scholarship, Research and Creativity
All programs will facilitate growth in student and faculty scholarship and creative work, and enhance innovative, creative and entrepreneurial activities. Where appropriate, programs will attract external funding.

Innovative Teaching and Learning
All programs in the RIT portfolio will utilize innovative and effective pedagogical approaches to achieve student-centered learning, including those that take advantage of technological resources and alternative delivery systems.

Experiential Learning
All programs in the RIT portfolio will require an experiential learning component as part of the degree program, encouraging students to apply their academic and career preparation to professional problems and/or settings.

International and Global Education
All undergraduate programs will address a broader understanding of global issues and enhance cross-cultural understanding and awareness. A majority of graduate programs will address a broader understanding of global issues and enhance cross-cultural understanding and awareness.

Synergy and Interdisciplinarity
A majority of programs in the RIT portfolio will demonstrate synergy and interdisciplinarity through the combining/re-structuring of existing programs and the addition of new programs that foster integration within, between and among disciplines, programs and colleges and address emerging disciplines in new areas of inquiry.

Inclusive Excellence
All programs in the RIT portfolio will strengthen RIT’s commitment to growing and sustaining a diverse and inclusive learning, living, and working environment.

Characteristics summary:
By creating an Academic Portfolio in which all six of these characteristics are distinguished, RIT’s recognition and reputation as one of the world’s leading career-focused, technological universities that foster innovation and creativity will be enriched and advanced.


Academic Portfolio Blueprint Criteria

“A criterion will be defined as a standard on the basis of which a judgment can be made about whether a program can be part of the RIT academic portfolio. These criteria, taken collectively, will define the overall character of the portfolio.” — Academic Portfolio Blueprint Charge

Proposers must clearly identify how they meet the APB characteristics and criteria. The proposal must address each criterion listed and describe the extent to which the criterion is met or not met.

I. Centrality
a. The program that is being proposed aligns with and advances the mission, vision, values and reputation of RIT.
b. The program that is being proposed is aligned with the Academic Program Profile and contributes to the achievements of RIT’s strategic plan priorities as identified in the Key Result Areas and Goals matrix.

II. Marketability
a. The program proposal provides evidence of sufficient external demand for the program
b. The program proposal provides evidence of sufficient internal demand for the program.
c. The program proposal provides evidence of demand for graduates of the program in the marketplace or in graduate programs.
d. The program proposal includes an assessment of the extent to which it may have an effect on enrollment in other academic programs.

III. Quality
The program proposal will clearly identify:
a. effective use of current faculty expertise for program delivery and, where appropriate, justify the need for new faculty expertise.
b. the integration of the learning outcomes in the General Education curriculum with the field of study. [For undergraduate degree program proposals only]
c. curricular features that incorporate rigorous academic and career preparation.
d. curricular features that facilitate and support student and faculty scholarship, research and creativity.
e. innovative and effective pedagogical approaches that support student centered learning, including alternative delivery systems and technology.
f. pedagogical approaches for integrating meaningful experiential learning opportunities.
g. pedagogical approaches to engage students in learning experiences that promote global awareness and understanding.
h. how it will foster integration within, between and among disciplines, programs and colleges.
i. how it addresses emerging disciplines.
j. a continuous evaluation and improvement plan that aligns with the existing RIT guiding documents.

IV. Financial Viability
a. The proposal will demonstrate how the proposed program will make use of existing resources through re-allocation, or will make a compelling case for new resources.
b. Incremental resource requests are clearly defined and justified relative to the value the program brings to the University’s academic portfolio.
c. Please contact RIT’s Office of Budget and Financial Planning Services to complete the 5 year financial projections for your program.