The Program Review process provides the most thorough examination of the condition and functioning of an academic unit. It is mandated by the UA Board of Regents and may completed on a 5-year cycle or initiated at any time by a dean or director. Each review includes:

• A self study, written and reviewed by the faculty, which addresses the points in this guideline.
• Review of the self study and evaluation of the program or unit by a committee of experts, some of whom come from outside the department, and from outside of the university.
• Dean or Director evaluation of the unit.
• An action plan developed by the Dean and the Provost, after review of all submitted materials and in consultation with appropriate faculty and administrators. The plan deals with recommendations and any issues that are indicated in the Program Review.
• Departments follow up at a determined time with reports on the implementation of the action plans.

The provost, in consultation with the dean/director, appoints a review committee which includes four internal reviewers from the university community (one from the program) and (at least) one external reviewer with expertise in the discipline. Normally all programs within a discipline undergo cyclic reviews simultaneously (i.e., if the discipline of Psychology is reviewed, the review will include the B.A, B.S., and M.S. programs).

A self-study is prepared by the program under review. (See "Program Review Guidelines" linked below for a list of topics to be addressed.) The self-study should be analytical rather than informational. Important explanatory documentation should be referenced but not included in the study. The faculty, review committee and dean’s analyses of the performance, support, and plans for the program are the highest priority. The calendar and deadlines for the reviews are established by the provost as reviews are commissioned and as review committees are appointed. [Program reviews for programs with special accreditation are conducted simultaneously with development of the accreditation self-study whenever possible.]

Program Review Guidelines (last updated December 2006)
Program Review Data Guidance (Created October 2006)
Program Review Schedule (last updated November 2006)
Program Review Sample