Comprehensive Program Review Plan

The goal of comprehensive program review (CPR) at Columbus State University and in the University System of Georgia is the improvement of instructional programs by periodically reviewing their strengths and weaknesses and establishing a set of priorities for their improvement based on information gathered during a seven-year cyclical review process. The process is recognized as one part of the overall institutional effectiveness plan that also includes strategic planning, assessment of student learning outcomes, and assessment of outcomes in administrative areas. The plan as follows will be reviewed periodically to determine its effectiveness in providing adequate program review information for the university and the University System.

Programs Subject to Evaluation

Except for programs requiring a formal accreditation 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. Associate programs will be reviewed every five (5) years. Newly approved programs should automatically be reviewed seven (7) years after launch. If successfully reviewed, the new program will then become part of the regular institutional cycle. Programs triggered for review by the University System Office based on enrollment and the number of degrees awarded require immediate attention and may need to be reviewed the following academic year.

Programs Accredited by an External Entity

Programs accredited by external entities may not substitute an external review process for their institutional program review. Programs can use their external accreditation report as their external review. They must complete the Self - Study and Evaluation form (listed below) to meet their requirements for an institutional review. Programs can elect to use the Institutional Review process before or after their external accreditation as long as it doesn't exceed the institutional ten (10) year requirement.

Program Review Report

In accordance with BOR policies, the program review report will include responses to the items listed under the self-study procedures that address quality, productivity, and viability. Overall, the focus of the report will be on academic programs; however, some items are best answered for the department in general than for each program offered by the department.

What do I do next? When are items due?

Timeline of Program Review Activities

October: Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness sends documents to Departments, and conducts training sessions for programs.

October - April: Department conducts Self-Study (PDF) based on the performance indicators addressing quality, productivity, and viability. Part of the Self-Study is an evaluation where the department ranks the program on key performance indicators.

Due April 30: In consultation with the dean, the chair will write an Executive Summary of the findings in Taskstream.

August - October: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assessment Coordinator will meet with the dean, chair, program coordinators, and faculty members to discuss strengths, priorities, and program improvements.

Follow up meetings: Programs that complete CPR will have annual follow-up meetings with the Provost and Executive Vice President and Assessment Coordinator to discuss progress on program improvements.

CPR Procedures (PDF)

Sample Format for Review Team Report (PDF)

Program Review Schedule

The program review schedule indicates the academic year in which programs will be reviewed. For programs undergoing accreditation review by national boards, the process required by the national boards will substitute for the quality component of the program review process required by the Board of Regents. For these programs, however, performance indicators addressing productivity and viability must be assessed according to the self-study procedures.