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Memo 7: Periodic Review of Existing Degree Programs

The State of Washington’s Higher Education Coordinating Board mandates that all degree-offering academic units be reviewed on a regular basis. At the University of Washington, this review is implemented as stipulated in the University Handbook (Section 12-28):

Reviews of all academic units including the graduate and undergraduate degree programs offered by these units are required at least every ten years and are conducted jointly by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs in cooperation with the relevant School or College Dean… Among the outcomes of the above reviews should be a clearer understanding of the academic unit's:
  1. quality of instruction, research, and public service;
  2. value to students' general education and preparation for society;
  3. role within the University and effectiveness in fulfilling that role;
  4. resource requirements;
  5. future objectives and changes necessary to achieve them.

Although academic program review is the joint responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the University has designated the Graduate School’s Office of Academic Affairs and Planning for overseeing and facilitating the academic program review process.

New degree programs initially are authorized by the Board of Regents with provisional status and should be reviewed at least once every five years until they are given continuing status.

Detailed information on academic program review can be found at: http://www.grad.washington.edu/fac-staff/programreviews/index.shtml.

 

Issued: February, 1985; Updated: June 2010