2.3.6 Comprehensive Program Review (CPR)

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SOURCES:
BoR POLICY MANUAL 3.6.3, COMPREHENSIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
EFFECTIVE DATE: THIS POLICY AND ITS ACCOMPANYING PROCEDURES WERE DEVELOPED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ON INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND ENDORSED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ON 7/18/ 2000. FURTHER REVISIONS TO COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW (CPR) POLICIES WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TASK FORCE ON NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW IN A REPORT COMPLETED 1/2009.

The Comprehensive Program Review process is a campus-based program review with the University System Office serving in an oversight capacity to evaluate initial program review processes and conduct periodic audits. For information about institutional responsibilities and to view institutional program assessment plans, see http://www.usg.edu/academic_programs/.

Comprehensive Academic Program Review

Each USG institution shall conduct academic program review on a periodic basis. Consistent with efforts in institutional effectiveness and strategic planning, each USG institution shall develop procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of its academic programs to address the quality, viability, and productivity of efforts in teaching and learning, scholarship, and service as appropriate to the institution’s mission. Institutional review of academic programs shall involve analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, and institutions must demonstrate that they make judgments about the future of academic programs within a culture of evidence. Planning and conduct of academic program reviews shall be used for the progressive improvement and adjustment of programs in the context of the institution’s strategic plan and in response to findings and recommendations of the reviews. Adjustment may include program enhancement, maintenance at the current level, reduction in scope, or, if fully justified, consolidation or termination.

Additional Guidelines for Comprehensive Academic Program Review
* An institution’s cycle of review for all undergraduate academic programs shall be no longer than seven (7) years, and for all graduate programs no longer than ten (10) years.
* Newly approved programs should automatically be reviewed no later than seven years after launch. If successfully reviewed, the new program will then become part of the regular institutional cycle.
* If the review of either an ongoing or new program is unsuccessful, the institution will present a plan of action to the System Office.
* Programs accredited by external entities may not substitute an external review for institutional program review, but material submitted as part of an external accreditation process may be used in the institutional review.
* Institutions may align program review cycles with required external accreditation review, so long as no program review cycle at any level exceeds ten (10) years.
* Institutions must also review General Education every five (5) years; if that review results in changes to general education learning outcomes, the changes must be submitted for review and approval by the Council on General Education.
* Institutions are also encouraged to review Learning Support programs.