Academic and student support programs must conduct a program review every
five years. The Program Review allows the University to assess current programs,
identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to build upon
strengths and improve deficient areas. The Office of the Chancellor of the
State System of Higher Education maintains a
schedule of program reviews
for each of the 14 state universities. Detailed information is provided
in the Board of Governors
Policy 1986-04-A: Program Review and the related
Administrative Procedure.
In addition, the University requires programs to submit annual reports
using the same format as the five-year review. This process assists programs in
gathering and documenting information annually, which makes the five-year review
process much simpler. It also helps programs and the University monitor
progress in achieving program goals between five-year reviews and provides important
information for the annual planning and budgeting process.
Reports should be composed of the following
(updated for 2007-08):
- Program Report Form
- Learning Outcomes Assessment Worksheet, using either the
horizontal or
vertical format
(not required for units that do not have student learning as a primary goal)
- Program Outcomes Assessment Worksheet, using either the
horizontal or
vertical format
- Additional information in an
Appendix (optional
for non-instructional departments)
All programs should consult the following:
- Guidelines
for Completing the Program Review Report
-
Characteristics of good reports and reviews
- The University's
Strategic Plan (program reports should reflect awareness of and the program's
contribution to the Strategic Plan)
- The LHU Program Review Model
for the difference between student learning and other program outcomes
- The "Administrative Procedure for Board of Governors’ Policy 1986-04-A:
Program Review" (here
or on the
PASSHE web site under "Academic Policies")
for programs preparing PASSHE five-year program reviews
For additional information on program review in general, see:
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has a helpful overview of
Foundations and Principles
of Program Review.
- The American Association of Physics Teachers has developed a
"Definition of a Thriving Undergraduate Physics Program" that may offer ideas for
potential program outcomes for any discipline.