Academic Program Review (APR) presents an opportunity for a unit to reflect upon progress from previous APRs, conduct a thorough analysis of its programs, and set goals for the coming years. The unit, with help from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP), will integrate a variety of data sources to examine degree program(s), conduct a peer analysis, and measure whether program goals and learning outcomes are being achieved.
The following products are developed through the APR process:
- Self-Study: A holistic and data-informed report on an academic unit and its respective degree programs
- External Review: Feedback submitted from the external review team
- Response to External Review: The academic unit’s response to the feedback from external reviewers
- Operational Action Plan: A suggestive plan that reflects the collective assessment at the close of the process
All academic units, excluding those with a qualified external accreditor, are required to complete the APR process every seven years, with the time between the self-studies spent making the recommended improvements and changes. Programs are also encouraged to routinely discuss their progress on APR recommendations through their annual assessment submissions.
Institutionally, APR and related assessment practices are important for accreditation purposes. Regional and state accreditation agencies review APR data to ensure that George Mason students are meeting their degree program’s student learning outcomes.
The APR process occurs over two years, generally outlined with the following schedule for the 20XX cohort:
| Semester | Activities |
|---|---|
| Fall 20XX-2 |
|
| Spring 20XX-1 |
|
| Fall 20XX-1 |
|
| Spring 20XX |
|