Approach

NMSU’s approach to academic departmental program review is based on a self-study model.  This model considers both the expertise and foresight resident in a department, as well as current resource constraints in soliciting participation by outside parties.

A departmental self-study team holds primary responsibility for completing the academic program review for undergraduate and graduate programs.  The self-study team examines both qualitative and quantitative information.  Examples of quantitative information are enrollment trends, credit hour production, student-faculty ratio, entrance examination scores, degrees awarded, and graduation rates.  Qualitative evaluation encompasses instructional effectiveness, research, service, advising, students’ knowledge and competencies, and assessment of student learning outcomes.  Additionally, the reviews include some assessment of input measures such as fiscal resources, facilities, equipment, space, faculty, and staff.

Academic Departmental Program Reviews engage the departmental faculty and require input sources such as alumni, students, other departments, employers of graduates, and external constituents.  The review references and emphasizes progress since the last review.

The evaluation, summary, and results of the self-study are reviewed by the Provost’s Academic Program Advisory Board.  This body ensures a degree of consistency across academic program reviews and provides comment to the Provost and President.  External review is used only with agreement of the Provost or President.