Self-study Document and Executive Summary
The most critical element of program review is the self-study that is prepared by the program faculty. The self-study document is both a description and an analysis of important aspects of an academic program. Once this document has been completed, it is reviewed and approved by the responsible Academic Dean prior to its dissemination. The self-study is approximately 25-30 pages in length, exclusive of appendices, and should follow the format described below. An executive summary of the self-study also needs to be prepared by the Program Faculty. This summary document is 3-5 pages in length, exclusive of the appendices and includes brief information about your program covering the following areas:
- Mission Statement
- Curriculum - types of degrees, number of courses, admissions process
- Student learning outcomes and assessment
- Academic Advising
- Faculty
- Program Support
- Relationships with the External Community
- Student, Faculty, Contract/Adjunct Faculty and Staff statistical summaries (Data supplied by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness)
- Information of review team members (name - current position - place of employment - contact information)
Once the self-study has been completed and approved, it is sent to the members of the program review evaluation team prior to their on-campus visit and review. During the on-campus review, the evaluation team interviews key program individuals (faculty, staff, students, alumni, etc) and based on the self-study standards provided in this document, determine program strengths, weaknesses and recommendations for change.