Administrative number: 3-26B
Responsible office: Academic Affairs
Responsible officer: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Program Self-Study Guidelines

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Purpose:

This procedure provides a more detailed explanation for the components of the self-study report generated for academic program reviews at Winona State University (WSU), including possible sources of information and data.

Guidelines:

A. Overview of the Program Self-Study Report

The program self-study report is a structured, evidence-based, comprehensive analysis of a program. The program faculty may consult with other departments, such as Institutional Planning, Assessment, and Research (IPAR), Career Services, and Admissions, to identify and obtain appropriate data that support the self-study report. The report should be written in a way that is meaningful to an external reviewer. All data used should be appended to the self-study report under the title “Evidence Portfolio.”

B. Self-Study Report Components

The self-study should include the following components. Sources to obtain forms of evidence beyond the program’s internal records are provided as suggestions.

1. General description of the program

  • A brief history of the program
  • The program’s mission and goals
  • The program content and organization

2. Program student success

  • General characteristics of the program’s student body [IPAR]
  • Retention and completion rates
  • Recruitment practices [Admissions]
  • List of program student learning outcomes (SLOs) and curriculum map
  • Date of last review for each SLO and timeline for assessing each SLO over the five-year period
  • Results of SLO assessment and adaptations made to curriculum based on those results [Dean]
  • Mapping of program SLOs to university SLOs
  • Examples of distinguished student achievements
  • Post-graduate activities [Career Services]

3. Faculty qualifications, Contributions, and Achievements

  • General characteristics of the program’s faculty
  • Evidence of appropriate decision-making processes
  • Evidence of effective teaching and other activities involving students
  • Service to the university
  • Scholarly and other professional achievements

4. Program resources

  • Number and type of faculty positions [Academic Affairs Office]
  • Instructional technologies, equipment, supplies, building space, and library services
  • Cost effectiveness, cost recovery, and enrollment history [IPAR]
  • History of administrative support

5. Strategic plan for adaptation

  • An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats/challenges
  • Identification of up to five areas for adaptation
  • A plan of action to realize the adaptation in these areas
  • A discussion of the budgetary implications during the next two years

Related documents:

Related definitions:

[3-26] Academic Program:

A course of study leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree, major, minor, or certificate.

Authorizing Policy:

History:

Adoption date:
Implementation date: