Program Review at the University of Northern Colorado
Program review supports the University’s mission to deliver high quality educational programs through a process of continuous improvement. The process informs faculty, administrators, students, and University governance bodies about the strengths and areas for improvement in specific program areas. As such, program review is a tool for critical reflection, accountability, and continuous quality improvement. Through careful documentation and analysis, faculty, administration, and students can engage in the review process to assess the quality, centrality, demand, and costs associated with specific programs and subsequently develop plans for program improvement.
Program review should result in a set of recommendations crafted by faculty and students and endorsed by administrators that include concrete strategies and benchmarks for achieving improved quality and efficiencies. Information generated by Program Review may be used by faculty leadership to
- refine and revise curricula,
- recruit new students,
- provide information to accrediting or professional associations,
- support the need for new or reallocated resources,
- bolster proposals for external funding, and
- modify faculty hiring strategies and/or activities.
The results of Program Review may also be used by University administrators to guide strategic decisions regarding program development and resource allocation, including program restructuring, initiation or closure.