Common Criteria for Program Review

These criteria are provided to programs and departments to assist them in preparing unit profiles. Required information is provided in tables prepared by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning from a central data base of official institutional data. Units may provide additional information, as appropriate, to create a fuller portrait of their missions, goals, and activities. Profiles are updated every two years, and may be used to support academic program review.

Centrality to the PSU mission

How well does the program/department meet the University's expectations and priorities?

Narrative statement that addresses program/departmental goals and objectives in relation to the overall university vision, mission, and priorities. This document should be created by the program/department and reviewed and approved by the Dean's office.

Effectiveness of Instruction and Curriculum

How well does the curriculum serve students, University, community?

Common data elements:

• Assessment of student learning outcomes
• Number of Community Based Learning, Capstone or other community-based courses offered
• Degree programs offered

Suggested data:

• Course schedules
• Continuing education courses offered
• Proportion of graduates who go on to graduate school
• Student performance on professional tests (where appropriate)
• Employer satisfaction
• Percentage of graduates with jobs after graduation
• Student awards and recognition
• Student satisfaction surveys
• Alumni satisfaction surveys

Effectiveness of Program

How well does the program serve and respond to the University priorities?

Common data elements:

• Number of faculty
• FTE faculty
• Faculty by full-time/part-time status
• Number of faculty by tenure status
• Number/proportion of diverse faculty
• Number/proportion diverse students
• Number and type of graduate assistants
• SCH production: lower, upper, graduate
• SCH/faculty FTE
• Average class size: lower, upper, graduate
• Contribution to general education
• Number of course sections
• Number of degrees awarded

Suggested data:

• Cross-listed or joint offerings
• Courses required outside the major
• Offerings with international focus
• Types of community or other partnerships

Faculty

How well do the faculty support the University's expectations?

Common data elements:

• Number of faculty with terminal degrees
• Number of proposals and expenditures for sponsored research grants and contracts
• Publications and citations, presentations

Suggested data:

• National rankings of schools, colleges, department (where appropriate)
• Offices held in national organizations
• Journal editorships, editorial boards
• Prizes, awards, and recognition
• Community leadership in campus, local, regional, national, international communities

Cost Effectiveness and Level of Institutional Support

Common data elements:

• Proportion of budget from grants and contracts
• Proportion of expenditures from E&G
• Average salary by rank

Suggested data:

• Cost per SCH
• Cost per degree granted
• Cost per faculty FTE
• Faculty development awards

Summary Narrative

Programs and departments should include a summary narrative that addresses issues that have emerged from the analysis of data included in under the five common categories.