Five-Year Academic Program Review
The Five-Year Academic Program Review process contributes to UMKC’s commitment to being a data-driven and developmental organization, starting with understanding and enhancing the student experience. To this end, the goals for Academic Program Review at UMKC are:
- To foster a culture of continuous quality improvement.
- To validate the program’s contributions to supporting and enhancing student engagement and student learning.
- To identify priorities for resources investment.
- To learn about the program’s challenges and opportunities through the perspectives of diverse constituents.
Cyclical reviews of programs provide the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the quality of the program and opportunities for improvement and innovation. Evaluating the program and planning for enhancements to support student learning, engagement in research and creative endeavors and service to the community will inform the following:
- Budgeting, including allocating resources for new faculty hires.
- Aligning programmatic operations and innovations with the unit and university strategic plans.
- Investing in new programs or program expansion.
- Identifying programs for closure.
- Responding to reporting requirements from accreditors, the UM System and the State.
- Identifying quality improvement opportunities.
Academic Program Review Timeline and Documentation
The Academic Program Review process unfolds across an academic year and consists of four phases:
- Notification and expectations
- Self-Study Report development
- Submission, review and revisions
- Action Plan development
In general, the first two phases (notification and self-study preparation) occur in the Fall Semester, and the last two phases (submission and action planning) occur in the Spring Semester.
The Self-Study Report provides an assessment of strengths, challenges and areas in need of improvement and results in an improvement plan. Importantly, the Self-Study Report and Action Plan should demonstrate linkages among program review, assessment of student learning, strategic planning and budgeting.
After finalizing the Action Plan, the dean will meet with the program director and department chair to discuss plan implementation and monitoring. The Provost will meet with department faculty to discuss key aspects of the program review process — the Self-Study Report and the Action Plan.
The final Self-Study Report and the Action Plan form act as the permanent record of the Academic Program Review and will be stored electronically in the Office of the Provost.
Guidelines and forms for completing the program review can be found at the bottom of this page under the Resources and Forms section.
UM System and HLC Requirements for Program Review
Academic Program Review, as stipulated in the Collected Rules and Regulations (see Chapter 20.035) of the University of Missouri System, occurs on a five-year cycle and summary reports are submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The summary reports are posted on the UM System Program Assessment site.
Expectations for program review are also included in the Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. Specifically, Criterion 4.A.1. indicates that one of the ways in which an institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs is through the practice of regular program reviews.
Resources and Forms
Academic Program Review Handbook (PDF)
Scheduled Five-Year Reviews — All Programs — 2023–2027 (PDF)
Academic Program Review Timeline (PDF)
Academic Program Review Outline and Checklist (PDF)