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:

Program Assessment is a framework that integrates UO's two main tools for assessing program performance and promoting continuous improvement in alignment with the university’s and unit’s strategic priorities.

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 with a focus on closing equity gaps where they exist.

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 Report)
Reflect on the connection and alignment of their work with college/school priorities, and the institutional mission. (Self-Study Report)
Receive knowledge and input from the larger context of the discipline and peer programs. (ERC/IRC 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 (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
By MAR 19
Unit meets with their subject librarian to discuss library data for the self-study
By MAY 15
Unit confirms ERC/IRC members
By Sept 1
Unit confirms ERC/IRC visit dates and prepares visit schedule
BY DEC 1
Unit uploads Self-Study Report is SharePoint folder and notifies OtP
NOTE: Self-Study Report must be reviewed and approved by the school/college dean before submission
Prior to Erc/irc visit
Self-Study Report is reviewed and finalized by OtP
JAN - May
ERC/IRC site visits
4 WEEKS AFTER ERC/IRC SITE VISIT
ERC/IRC committee submits draft report to unit and OtP
2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF ERC/IRC REPORT
Unit completes ERC/IRC report corrections of fact, upload the report to their SharePoint and notified OtP
2 WEEKS AFTER CORRECTIONS OF FACT
Office of the Provost finalizes ERC/IRC report
Upon Completion of Final ERC/IRC Report
Associate or divisional dean meets with the Office of the Provost to discuss unit goals
Associate or divisional dean works with unit heads to develop the Goal Setting and Implementation Plan
DEC 15
Associate or divisional deans uploads Goal Setting and Implementation Plan to unit SharePoint Folder
NOTE: Goal Setting and Implementation Plan must be reviewed and approved by the dean before submission
By Jan 31
Goal Setting and Implementation Plan is finalized by OtP
Celebratory lunch and feedback session scheduled
Following Decennial Program Review
School/college associate or divisional dean integrates goals and objectives from the plan into the school/college strategic plan as relevant
Units report progress toward assessing their Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and Student Achievement Goals (SAGs) in their annual assessment reports
Units report progress on other goals through the college/school internal accountability process

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.