Format and Guidelines for External Reviewers’ Report

The role of the external reviewers is important in the program review process. The external reviewers promote comparison with similar programs at other institutions, provide faculty and administrators a wider perspective, and ensure that the academic program being reviewed is not isolated from the larger academic community.  The external reviewers prompt academic units and the university to address issues that may come to light during the program review process, and facilitate an institutional and program response to the program review.

External reviewers should bring an informed and unbiased view to the assessment of the program.  External reviewers, as recognized experts in the disciplinary/professional field of the unit undertaking program review, are used to provide critical judgment and to ensure the objectivity of the program review process, and to determine how the program compares to other programs in the region and nation. 

External reviewers should consider whether the plans of the department are appropriate, considering such factors as the current condition of the program, trends in the discipline, the nature of the faculty, and the characteristics of the students and the community the program serves. Reviewers may be provided with a list of issues/questions to be addressed in their report, but they are free to address other issues that arise during the course of their review.

Following the program review site visit, the external reviewers will prepare a report of approximately 10 pages, evaluating the unit’s strengths and areas of needed improvement and making recommendations for future goals and actions.  The final report of the external reviewers should be sent to the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Planning and Assessment, who will distribute copies of the report to the college/school Dean and (if applicable) department chair. 

The content of the External Reviewers’ Report varies, according to the nature and size of the program and the preferences of the reviewers. External reviewers are welcome to comment on any aspect of the program that they consider important to program quality and future development. External reviewers should consider whether or not the mission of the unit is clearly stated and whether the activities of the unit are consistent with the stated mission.

The External Reviewers’ Report is most effectively organized in response to the academic unit’s Program Review Self-Study Report.  The External Reviewers’ Report should begin with an overall view of the program and conclude with a summary evaluation and recommendations, corresponding (and responding) to Sections I and V of the unit’s Program Review Self-Study Report.

The body of the External Reviewers Report should address the main issues/questions in the program review and main strengths/weaknesses of the academic unit/programs, corresponding (and responding) to Sections II-IV of the unit’s Program Review Self-Study Report. 
 
External reviewers can best assist an academic unit by making useful recommendations within the current budget.  External reviewers may find it helpful to suggest what the unit might be able to accomplish with a 3 to 5 percent increase in funds or what might best be eliminated with a 3 to 5 percent decrease in funds.

Suggested Outline of External Reviewers’ Report

I.  Introduction/overview of the academic unit/programs.

II.  Discussion/analysis of main issues/questions in the program review and main strengths/weaknesses of the academic unit/programs.

A. Educational Goals and Outcomes
B. Curriculum and Courses
C. Assessment
D. Contribution to University Mission and Goals
E. Faculty Evaluation and Development
F. Internal Review, External Measures, and Accreditation 

III.  Summary/evaluation of the academic unit/programs. 

A. Educational mission and goals, and contribution to the university 
B. Curriculum and courses, and comparison to other programs
C. Assessment of student learning outcomes, and evidence of educational effectiveness
D. Quality of faculty/students and support for faculty/student development
E. Resources/planning and faculty/administrative leadership

IV.  Recommendations on future goals/actions of the academic unit/programs.