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.