Program review is a systematic way to meet the university intent to assess the quality of our academic degree programs while determining ways to improve the quality of education and service. The seven-year review period enables degree programs to better align their goals and plans with those of the college and university. This process is designed to build a better understanding of the whole program among faculty, staff and university leadership.
View the FIU Program Review Schedule
The program review process is composed of the following elements:
- Self-Study by Department – The Self-Study is a comprehensive report about the degree programs offered. The self-study contains the departmental vision, mission, goals, and recommendations based on an analysis of the program and measurable performance indicators. The findings confirm the program's relevance and viability within the context of the university's strategic and accountability plans. The document focuses on program performance based on an analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges (SWOC) and charts a course of continuous program improvement. The academic unit has the responsibility to develop the self-study. The departmental self-study team should include the department chair or designee, one or more senior faculty members of the department, and staff, as assigned. The college dean or designee needs to approve the self-study.
- Improvement Action Plan – The findings of the self-study will guide the development, by the academic unit, of an improvement action plan. The plan would reflect the consensus of the unit and college/school in areas related to enhancing student learning and continuous quality improvement.
- Mid-Term Progression Update - At the approximate midway point of seven-year review cycle, the academic unit will provide to APA an update on its programs in relation to the improvement action plan objectives that were provided during the initial program review. This update should report on the progress in meeting the plan, including any new information and/or considerations that could impact objectives.
Program review focuses on evaluating degree programs for continuous quality improvements. An indication of success for the program review process is that the questions and larger issues it raises trigger the faculty, Dean, Provost and staff to conduct additional evaluations and assessments.