Academic Program Review
at UIS
Why UIS Conducts Program Reviews
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To identify and analyze program strengths
and areas of concern
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To identify ways to improve the overall
quality and productivity of programs
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To comply with Illinois Board of Higher
Education (IBHE) requirements
Program Review Process at UIS
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More than 80% of American colleges &
universities surveyed have some form of program
review

UIS process consistent with best practices in
program evaluation
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Comprehensive coverage of program components
Grounded in faculty ownership
Review process is broadly participatory
Enhanced feedback
Year 1 Overview
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Program completes self-study by gathering and analyzing data.
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Program faculty draft report sections.
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Program’s lead writer edits and compiles sections into Program Review
report.
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Program approves report.
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Copies of Program Review report are submitted to College Curriculum/
Academic Standards Committee AND to the Dean.
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College Curriculum/Academic Standards Committee asks questions,
provides feedback to Program.
Year 1 Overview continued…

Program may be asked to revise report based on feedback and re-submit
revised report to College Committee and simultaneously to the Dean/Division
Head. The Dean should not wait for the College Curriculum Committee’s
feedback before reviewing the program self-study report.
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College Committee prepares brief approval memo and forwards it (along
with any revised report) to the Dean. A copy of the approval memo is also
sent to the Program.
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Dean/Division Head meets with VCAA, Associate Vice Chancellors for
Undergraduate and Graduate Education. Based on discussion, the Dean
prepares an administrative memo outlining recommendations, and forwards
memo and final copy of Program Review report to the Provost. A copy of the
administrative memo is also sent to the Program.
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The Provost’s Office will distribute copies of the Program Review report and
the administrative memo to the Councils.
Year 2 Overview
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Councils review materials and may request additional
information for clarification
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Councils prepare written comments/recommendations in
memos and forward the memos to Campus Senate &
Provost
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Senate and Provost review the reports and memos
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Provost develops a Memorandum of Understanding based
on recommendations from Program, Dean, Councils

Provost makes brief report to Illinois Board of Higher
Education (IBHE)
Program Review Timeline
Some target dates for the
next 18 months…..
Self-Study, Report Writing, & College Review

Spring and Summer 2011
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Self-study completed, and draft of Program Review report prepared and
approved at program level
Program Review report sent to College Curriculum/Academic Standards
Committee & Dean
Fall 2011
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College Committee reviews materials, asks questions if needed for
clarification, provides feedback to program
Dean meets with VCAA and Assoc VCs for Undergraduate & Graduate
Education, and then prepares administrative memo
Program may revise report based on College Curriculum Committee’s
feedback & resubmit
College Committee prepares brief approval memo, forwards memo
(along with any revised report) to Dean. Copy of approval memo sent to
Program.
Self-Study, Report Writing, & College Review continued…
By End of Fall 2011
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Dean/Division Head reviews report, meets with VCAA and Assoc
VCs for Undergraduate and Graduate Education, prepares
memo outlining recommendations, and forwards it to the Provost.
Copy of Dean’s memo is sent to Program.
Provost’s Office distributes copies of Program Review report and
Dean’s memo to Councils
Program representative responds to any questions from Councils
Year 2: Governance Review
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By Early Spring Semester 2012
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During Spring Semester 2012
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Councils prepare written comments/recommendations and
forward memo to Campus Senate & Provost (w/cc to Assoc Vice
Chancellors)
Senate and Provost review reports & memos
By June of 2012
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Provost makes brief report to Illinois Board of Higher Education
(IBHE)
Provost develops a Memorandum of Understanding based on
recommendations made by Program, Dean, and Councils
Academic Program Review Guidelines
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Program Objectives & Structure
Assessment of Learning Outcomes &
Curricular Revisions
Student Characteristics & Academic
Support
Faculty
Learning Environment & Support Services
Review Guidelines continued….
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Student Demand & Program Productivity
Centrality to Campus Mission
Costs
Summary & Recommendations
CASL Mid-Cycle Assessment Reports
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A new process, approved last year by Campus
Senate
Departments now submit an Assessment
Progress Report to CASL in Year Three of the
regular program review cycle.
The Report will be due no later than May 15th
of that academic year.
CASL Mid-Cycle Assessment Reports
Cont.
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In Year Four of the academic program review
cycle, CASL will review the report and
provide formative written feedback and
assistance to the program.
Departments will be required to include
CASL's feedback in their academic program
review documentation.
For More Information on Assessment
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See the CASL website:
http://www.uis.edu/assessment/
The CASL website can help you
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Understand the assessment process
Prepare for the mid-cycle assessment reports
Find resources on best practices in assessment
Reviews of Minors & Certificates
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Program Description & Objectives
Curriculum
Students
Faculty
Student Demand
Costs
Quality & Productivity
Recommendations
Suggestions
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Get started as soon as possible and anticipate
target dates over the next 18 months
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Use the self-study process and external feedback
to reflect and think about how the program
could be improved

Involve all program faculty in the evaluation &
writing process
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Respond to the issues raised in the program’s
last review cycle
Suggestions continued….
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Demonstrate how evidence of student learning
has been used to make curricular change
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Analyze the data, including enrollments, and
think about the possible implications of trends
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Address problems directly in the report
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Integrate the review with other planning or
accreditation processes