Every seven years, existing academic programs are required to undergo a periodic review. The review process is approved by the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents and includes an internal self-study, an external review, and the submission of a periodic program review report to the USM.
External review of existing academic programs is a standard practice in higher education. The purpose of external review is to garner additional perspectives on program strengths and weaknesses from academics and professionals in the field or a closely related field who are affiliated with other institutions.
•The review of existing academic programs shall include both self-study (internal review) and external review.
•As much as possible, the institution should link its reviews of existing academic programs to specialized accreditation processes and dates. An external review associated with reaffirmation of specialized accreditation or with initial accreditation may, if completed within one year of the review date, satisfy the external review requirement.
•When review of the academic program will not occur as part of the specialized accreditation process, each institution should develop its own process for garnering external reviews. The method for identifying and selecting specific individuals who will serve as external reviewers should be determined.
•External reviews may consist of written responses to the self-study and supporting documents and/or may include on-campus visits during which team members interview students, faculty, and administrators.
•The final product from external reviewers should be a report that explicitly identifies program strengths and suggests improvements.
Please see the USM Academic Affairs/Academic Programs website for details.
To help with the program review process, Academic Affairs has provided links to key documents and forms:
Document: Periodic Program Reviews (PPR) Information Session The Templates (June 2022)
Document: Periodic Program Reviews (PPR) Information Session Overview (May 2022)
Form: PPR 2022 Self-Study Report (Internal Review) Template
Form: USM 2022 Report on the Periodic Review of Academic Programs (PPR) Template
Form: Periodic Program Review Administrative Extension Request
Contact Information:
Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
11868 Academic Oval, John T. Williams Hall Suite 3111
Princess Anne, Maryland 21853
Telephone: (410) 651-6508 or 6713
Follow us on Twitter!
