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 deficiencies. The Office of the Chancellor of the Pennsylvania 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 and report form 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.

Annual reports and program reviews should include the following (updated for 2008-09):

• The report form ("Academic Program Report Summary Form") for annual reports and program reviews
• Learning Outcomes Assessment Worksheet (not required for units that do not have student learning as a primary goal)
• Program Outcomes Assessment Worksheet 
• Additional information in an Appendix (optional for non-instructional departments)

All programs should consult the following:

• The Guidelines for Completing the "Academic Program Report Summary Form" for annual reports and program reviews (rev. 1/07/09)
• A sample report (on a hypothetical Classics major at Imaginary University); the sample is of an annual report (a program review report would be very similar, but reflect the five-year time horizon)
• The Report Evaluation form (used to provide advice to programs on improving annual reports and program reviews)
• The University's Strategic Plan (annual reports and program reviews 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

University Days presentations on annual reports and program reviews:

• August 2009
• January 2009
• January 2008
• August 2007

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.