Program and Unit Review

Our office conducts internal program reviews for all programs/units which are not externally accredited. If your program/unit has external or professional accreditation, it will not need to undergo our program review process.

For those program/units participating in our internal review process, the requirements are that each program/unit write a self-study narrative that evaluates its progress compared with a number of academic or operational standards.

Additionally, each program/unit will identify potential internal and external reviewers, who will then be invited to review the self-study and meet with the program/unit, as well as various campus stakeholders. At the end of the process, these reviewers will provide feedback and make recommendations to the program/unit under review.

Review the section below for important documents needed for your program/unit review.

WCU program reviews occur online (virtually). In exceptional cases, a program/unit may ask the Office of Institutional Assessment for an in-person review, and those requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptional cases include:

• Programs/units that have unique facilities and equipment that are integral to the program.
• Programs/units that heavily interact with local cultures, structures, and/or biological organisms unique to the area.

To apply for an in-person review, the Director/Department Head must submit a written request (two pages maximum) detailing the reasons an in-person review would add substantial value to their program’s review process.

All applications for in-person review are due to the Office of Institutional Assessment at the same time the program/unit submits their list of potential program reviewers which typically occurs at the beginning of the semester PRIOR to your scheduled review. Any applications for in-person review received after this date will not be considered.