Shippensburg University Academic Master Plan

The division of Academic Affairs engaged in the creation of its first Academic Master Plan (AMP) in 2009-2013.  This plan is currently in use and impacts the University's academic directions and provides a set of strategies for accomplishing the academic mission of Shippensburg University. The AMP integrates with existing planning processes occurring at the program, departmental, college, and university level, as well as with the University's ongoing commitment to self-review and best practices outlined by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Indeed, the development of Ship's first AMP represents a natural evolution and extension of the University's existing strategic planning and budget processes.

The AMP focuses on academic issues as well as academic and administrative supports for the university. Academic planning is an activity based on the mission, vision, and values of the university and its overarching goals. This plan informs all of the other university plans, e.g., departmental plans, college plans, facilities master plans, the strategic plan of the university, etc.

The AMP asks questions such as:

• What image does the institution wish to project? 
• Who are the constituencies that we serve? 
• What is the appropriate balance between teaching, scholarship, and service? 
• What types of students and faculty does the university wish to attract? 
• What are the programs, services, support, and facilities that will attract those students and faculty? 
• What are the best ways to engage students, faculty, and administrators that the university wants to attract and retain? 
• How is success measured? 
• How does the university use information about the level of success?

The AMP prioritizes the goals of Academic Affairs for the period 2013-2018, based on the mission, vision, and goals of the university. AMP goals such as the development of new programs, enrollment initiatives, and academic and co-curricular activities for students informs the University Strategic Plan as well as the plans in other divisions/units such as Student Affairs, Technology, and Facilities, to name a few. The end result of the AMP will be the strengthening of the university via new academic initiatives and programs as well as tailoring existing programs to fit with the mission and vision of the university.