Step 2 - Writing the Self-Study

Writing the Self-Study Report

The program prepares the self-study report during the academic year prior to the team visit. The report will include narrative using the categories listed below, which follow the team's evaluation items, as well as appendices. Additional report details:

  • Data may be embedded in the narrative or included as tables in the appendices. UMD Office of Institutional Research (OIR) provides the data shown on the Institutional Research Program Review Data webpage. The department is responsible for costs incurred for additional data the program requests from ITSS.  
  • The narrative for one academic program is no more than 20-25 pages; figures, tables, and graphs presented in the narrative are included in the page total. If multiple programs are reviewed within one site visit, the AVC-program review will coordinate with the department to identify the total number of pages for the self-study report. 
  • Faculty vitae and course syllabi are included as appendices.
  • The self-study narrative and appendices are submitted electronically to the Dean for review and comment at least three months prior to the team’s site visit in order to provide time for revisions. The final files are to be prepared as PDFs two months prior to the site visit, and the Dean's office will share them with the review team, the EVCAA, the AVC for undergraduate education and/or graduate education, and the AVC-program review. All members of the program are expected to have read the self-study report prior to the team's visit.


Academic Program Self-Study Categories

1: The program is appropriate for higher education in all formats and locations in which the program is delivered. 

2: The exercise of intellectual inquiry and the acquisition, application, and integration of broad learning and skills are sufficiently integrated within the program.     

3: The program has the faculty necessary to deliver an effective and high-quality program that is aligned well with UMD’s mission and goals for (a) teaching, (b) research, and (c) public engagement.          

4: The program has sufficient structures and resources to support its primary stakeholders and to fulfill the missions of the department, college, and institution.

5: The program demonstrates a commitment to educational achievement and improvement through ongoing assessment of student learning.

6: The program engages in systematic and integrated planning and evaluation. 

 

Click here to access the full self-study outline with the review categories and their subcomponents, as well as an overview paragraph about UMD that can be used in the self-study report.