Academic Program Review FAQs

How is an APR different from the accreditation process?

According to the LCME website, accreditation is an externally driven quality assurance process intended to ensure that medical education programs meet established standards for courses, curriculum and student support services all delivered in a rich learning environment. It is an outcomes driven process that involves a self-study, a site visit by examiners, and timely response to deficiencies in order to retain institutional accreditation to provide education leading to an MD degree.

According to the Centre for Institutional Analysis and Planning website, the Academic Program Review is an internally driven process that is undertaken by academic units to facilitate planning and change. This formative process involves a self-study, a site visit by examiners and a response. A successful APR is one that engages faculty, students and staff in looking at where we are, where we want to be and how we plan to achieve shared goals for change.

Why are there two APR processes?

Because the graduate program in the Faculty of Medicine is so diverse and there are many different divisions, it was felt that more than one APR was required, but there simply would not be enough time or resources to complete an APR in each division.  BioMedical Sciences and Human Genetics both have laboratory components therefore it was decided that these two divisions will be combined. Community Health & Humanities and Clinical Epidemiology share common traits so these divisions were a natural fit together.

How can I be involved?

Contact the Program Coordinator for your unit to provide information or ask to be part of the Self-Study team for your unit.

Where can I get more information?

Program Coordinators for Faculty of Medicine