The Academic Program Review

Why are academic program reviews done?

Academic program reviews are required by the Board of Regents (see below) of all constituent institutions and are intended to improve the quality of the academic offerings, ensure the wise use of resources, and determine the program’s effectiveness. The Program Review process advances opportunities for academic planning and budgeting and ensures that the program satisfies state-level review requirements.

This requirement is outlined in SB682, Sec.12-106IV of the Code of Maryland:

The Board of Regents shall, on an ongoing basis, review and determine whether any University programs are inconsistent with the University’s mission or whether any constituent institution’s programs are inconsistent with that institution’s mission. The Board shall also assure that the University’s programs are not unproductive or unreasonably duplicative, taking into account the mission of the institution, student demand, and efficient use of the University’s resources.

What is the relationship between program review and student learning assessment?

Program reviews also play a vital role in the University’s student learning assessment program. The program review schedule (based on reviews every five years) serves as the foundation for assessment initiatives through its identification of priorities for the coming cycle. Halfway through the cycle (i.e., at 2.5 years), an updated report is submitted that reflects the status of assessment activities. The University has opted for a 2.5 year reporting cycle, reflecting the belief of the faculty designing the program that 2.5 years provides an optimum period of time to design, implement, and evaluate assessments and then use the results for continuous improvement.

Please follow these links to resources related to FSU’s academic program review process:

The 2008-2009 guide for academic program review, Guide - Program Review 2008-2009 (PDF)

SCHEDULE program review 2006-2015 (PDF)

CERTIFICATE master template 2008 (DOC)