Academic Program Review

The process begins with an introductory meeting called by The Office of Graduate Education with the representatives from the unit to be reviewed. The introductory meeting will familiarize the unit with the Academic Review Process at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) as well as help the unit prepare for the review. After the introductory meeting, the unit will consult with the Dean of the School and The Office of Graduate Education regarding suitable dates for the Review Team’s on-site campus visit. Once the dates are secured, The Office of Graduate Education will request a list of potential external reviewers.

The Office of Graduate Education will invite and make all travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotel, transportation to and from airport to hotel) for external reviewers.

The Review Team, an essential element to the Academic Review Process, will include:

1. A program review committee monitor.

• A member from the University’s Senate Program Review Committee to oversee the process and report back to the Provost and Academic Senate.

2. At least two members from the University’s faculty and academic administration who are not affiliated with the program undergoing review.

• These individuals can be recommended by the Senate’s Program Review Committee and will be appointed by The Office of Graduate Education.

3. External reviewer(s) from institutions of higher education outside the state of Texas, one of which will also be designated Chair of the Review Team by The Office of Graduate Education.

• External reviewers must be subject-matter experts who are employed by institutions of higher education outside the state of Texas and have no conflict of interest related to the program under review.
• Doctoral program reviews will have at least two external reviewers.
• Stand-alone master’s reviews will have at least one external reviewer.

4. Additional members may be appointed by The Office of Graduate Education.

The Self-Study report is the principal document for the Academic Program Review. It should be a collective effort prepared by the faculty of the unit undergoing review. At its most basic level, the Self-Study report will be a descriptive and comprehensive evaluation of the unit that provides basic information on the program(s) of the unit and includes an assessment of the unit’s strengths and weaknesses. The Self-Study is submitted to The Office of Graduate Education and the Provost Office for disbursement to the review team prior to the site visit.

What is required of the unit, reviewers, OGE, Provost, and THECB?

• The degree program undergoing review will consult with the Provost regarding suitable dates for the Review Team’s campus visit, and the detailed schedule of events during the visit. It will prepare a comprehensive self-study document (an internal planning document, not intended for general distribution) in accordance with guidelines and instructions issued by the Provost. The unit also will collaborate with The Office of Graduate Education in ensuring that the Review Team’s on-campus needs are met.
• The Office of Graduate Education will designate a Review Coordinator (the Dean, Head, Director, or suitable substitute) from the degree program under review to ensure that the duties assigned to the program in connection with the Review Team are carried out. The Office of Graduate Education will provide the Review Team a written charge, along with the unit’s self-study document. The Office of Graduate Education will issue the visit schedule, oversee the visit arrangements for the Review Team (transportation, housing, meals, reimbursement, etc.) and serve as liaison between the Review Team and the program being reviewed).
• Before leaving the campus, the Review Team will hold two exit interviews. In the first, held with the Program Review Committee and the degree program’s faculty and administration, the Review Team will provide its preliminary assessment of the goals, plans, staffing, resources, existing and potential strengths, etc., of the degree program, and those areas needing improvement. In the second, held with the Provost, and other appropriate central administrators, the Review Team will summarize its immediate impressions and provide a forecast of its eventual written report. The Review Team’s report will assess the degree program’s overall performance and its specific strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for any changes the Review Team thinks are advisable. The Review Team will share its final report with the faculty and administration of the degree program.
• The program’s chief administrative officer, in cooperation with faculty and staff, will provide a written response to the report to the Provost’s Office within one month of receiving the report, giving specific actions planned in light of the Review Team’s recommendations. Where the program disagrees with findings and/or recommendations of the Review Team, it will state its reasons for such disagreements.
• The Provost will prepare recommendations to the President. The university administration will submit a report of the outcomes of each review, including: the Executive Summary from the self-study, the Review Team’s report and a summary of actions the institution has taken or will take to improve the program, to the THECB no later than 180 days after the Review Team has submitted its findings to the institution

Doctoral program reviews will have at least two external reviewers. Stand-alone master’s reviews will have at least one external reviewer. Reviewers are recommended by the unit under review and the Program Review Committee and appointed by The Office of Graduate Education.

Expenses incurred by the program being reviewed should be at a minimum. All meals and travel funds are provided by the Office of the Provost.

The self-study will be delivered electronically, thereby avoiding the need to provide printed copies of the report.

The chair of the review team will provide a complete written report on the review team’s conclusions within 30 days of the on-site visit.

UTD staff and faculty can view all department reviews in our secure access site.

Please contact LaDwyna Evans, Business Manager, in The Office of Graduation with any questions at 972-883-3989 or via email.