Academic Program Review

Decennial Program Review

A periodic review of each University of Oregon (UO) degree program is essential to maintaining excellence and continuous improvement of our academic programs. In 2022, the University of Oregon launched a revised Decennial Program Review process - a streamlined, mission driven approach that is integrated with UO Annual Program Assessment in a new Program Assessment framework.

Forms & Guidance Documents

Goals:

The goal of Program Assessment is to help programs and departments reflect on performance and promote continuous improvement particularly in areas on student learning and achievement and with a focus on closing equity gaps where they exist.

As part of this framework, the goal of Decennial Program Review (DPR) is for units to examine their strengths and weaknesses, identify challenges and opportunities, and assess their academic and strategic goals with an implementation plan for improvement. The unit’s reflection and strategic goal setting should be driven by analysis of relevant data sets and in alignment with the college/school, and university priorities.

Specifically, DPR provides a moment for units to:

Engage in thoughtful reflection and analysis of their strengths and weaknesses around teaching, research, and service. (Self-Study)
Reflect on the connection and alignment of their work with college/school priorities, and the institutional mission. (Self-Study)
Receive knowledge and input from the larger context of the discipline and peer programs. (ERC report)
Create concrete goals and objectives that should focus the units’ future work and lead to continuous improvement. At least one goal must focus on student achievement – especially on closing equity gaps where they exist. (Goal Setting and Implementation Plan)
Create a plan for assessing Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and Student Achievement Goals (SAGs) in annual assessment. (Goal Setting and Implementation Plan)

Student Achievement Goals embedded in Program Assessment

Program Review Process

There are three types of program review, and each undergoes a slightly different program review process. The type of program review in which your unit will engage can be found in the Decennial Program Review Schedule.

Program Review Type	Eligibility	Type of Reviewers	Report type	PROGRAM REVIEW Timeline
Program Review with External Reviewers	Departments and programs that grant major degrees and the majority of the degrees do not undergo the same specialized professional accreditation	Reviewers selected from external institutions	Self-study report	10-year cycle with updates on student learning and achievement goals in annual assessment
Program Review with Internal Reviewers	Departments and programs that do not have major degrees and the majority of the degrees do not undergo specialized professional accreditation	Reviewers selected internally from the University of Oregon	Self-study report	10-year cycle with updates on student learning and achievement goals in annual assessment
Program Review with Specialized Accreditation	Departments and programs that grant degrees of which the majority undergo the same specialized professional accreditation	Specialized accreditation review committee	Modified self-study report with UO supplemental information	Specialized accreditation cycle with updates on student learning and achievement goals in annual assessment

Program Review Schedule

See the full timeline of when all units will undergo a decennial program review. The schedule includes the type of review and links to the units' SharePoint folders.

► Check out the Program Review Schedule
► Learn how to access your SharePoint folder

Program Review Timeline

Units undergoing program review with internal or external reviewers will follow the 24-month timeline outlined below. There are three phases of the process:

Phase 1: Self-Study Report (Blue)
Phase 2: External/Internal Review Report (White)
Phase 3: Goal Setting and Implementation Plan Report (Green)

JAN

Unit receives program review notification letter
FEB

Unit attends Decennial Program Review workshop
Feb 28

Standard data sets are available in unit SharePoint folders
MAR 19

Unit submits survey to request library data
MAR 19

Unit submits External/Internal Review Committee (ERC/IRC) Member Identification Qualtrics Survey.
Mar - Dec

ERC/IRC members are selected, visit dates are scheduled, a visit schedule is created.
Jun 1

Library data sets are uploaded to unit SharePoint
DEC 5

Self-Study Report is submitted to unit dean for review

Self-Study Informational Form Qualtrics Survey is completed
DEC 15

Self-Study Report uploaded to unit SharePoint by the dean or designee

Self-Study Informational Form uploaded to unit SharePoint by the OtP
FEB - May

ERC/IRC site visits
4 WEEKS AFTER ERC/IRC SITE VISIT

ERC/IRC draft report uploaded to unit SharePoint
2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF ERC/IRC REPORT

Unit completes ERC/IRC report corrections of fact
2 WEEKS AFTER CORRECTIONS OF FACT

Office of the Provost finalizes ERC/IRC report
Upon Completion of Final ERC/IRC Report

Unit dean or designee meets with the Office of the Provost to discuss unit goals

Unit dean or designee works with unit heads to develop the Goal Setting and Implementation Plan
Nov 1

Draft Goal Setting and Implementation Plan uploaded to the unit SharePoint folder by dean or designee
DEC 15

Goal Setting and Implementation Plan finalized by OtP in consultation with unit dean and/or designee
Following Decennial Program Review

Student learning goals, student achievement goals, and program learning outcomes are pre-populated in unit annual assessment templates for the following year.

Other goals are integrated into the school or college strategic plan or other internal accountability process.

Print Checklist

Forms and Guidance Documents

There are two cohorts actively engaged in Decennial Program Review at all times. The Office of the Provost is committed to continuous improvement of our process, including updates to forms and guidance documents as we receive feedback. Thus each active cohort has a unique set of forms and guidance documents included in this section. The cohort name is differentiated by the two calendar years in which the review occurs. To identify which years your unit is scheduled refer to the Decennial Program Review Schedule.