Program Review allows academic programs to intentionally reflect on their strengths and achievements, identify needed improvements, and to address these needs through long term planning that will endure through short-term administrative changes or budget constraints. Program reviews are integral to planning, resource allocation, and other decision making within the university. Regular program reviews also allow the university to account for its use of public resources and to develop support among its various constituencies.
Academic programs engage in program review for several key reasons:
- Quality Assurance: to ensure that the program maintains high academic standards and meets institutional and accreditation requirements.
- Continuous Improvement: to identify strengths and weaknesses, enabling data-informed decisions for curriculum updates, teaching methods, and resource allocation.
- Accountability: to demonstrate to stakeholders (administration, students, accrediting bodies, and the public) that the program is effective and aligned with institutional goals.
- Strategic Planning: to align the program’s direction with evolving disciplinary trends, workforce needs, and the institution’s mission and priorities.
- Resource Justification: to provide evidence for the need for continued or additional funding, staffing, facilities, or other resources.
- Student Outcomes Assessment: to evaluate whether students are achieving the intended learning outcomes and how the program supports their success.
Program review offers thorough and candid analysis of:
- The mission and goals of the program and their relation to the mission of the institution;
- The curriculum through which program mission and goals are pursued;
- The assessment of student learning outcomes, the Program revisions based upon those outcomes, and the plans for future assessment activities;
- The quality and diversity of faculty and staff and their contributions to Program mission and goals;
- The range and quality of scholarship and creative activities, emphasizing those involving students;
- The knowledge and skills of entering and graduating students;
- Physical facilities and program resources;
- Service and contributions to the community.