Review of existing academic programs advances the vision of the university “to be a premier learner-focused public comprehensive university, a nationally recognized leader for its continuous record of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education” (see Mission, Vision, and Core Values).
Many of the university’s professional programs are accredited by specialized agencies and organizations recognized by the US Department of Education (see Accreditation), and review of such programs is governed by the standards, practices, processes, and timelines of their accreditors. Academic programs that are not accredited are reviewed by external evaluators on a ten-year cycle, with regular internal monitoring between external reviews as reported in the home departments’ annual reports.
Existing academic program review – whether of accredited or non-accredited programs – examines inputs, outputs, and outcomes with the intent of assuring the university, its students, and the public of healthy, sustainable, and academically vital programs of study.
UCA’s Existing Academic Program Review (EAPR) processes have been updated to comply with Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) Policy 5.12 as amended in 2008 and promulgated by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). (These policies and rules are the expression of A.C.A § 6-61-214.) The 2008 amendments established new viability (formerly “productivity”) standards. Program viability review is part of the EAPR policy but is monitored by ADHE based on degrees awarded and is not a primary focus of the ten-year EAPR process described in this site. See AHECB Policy 5.12 for a complete text of the policy as amended. ADHE has distributed, as well, a helpful EAPR checklist.