The self-study is an internal evaluation of an academic program conducted by the program’s faculty. It involves collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data. Although most of the analyzed data is historical in nature, the self-study also guides the program faculty to consider what the program may need to do to be prepared for future opportunities and challenges.

By conducting an analysis and discussing the self-study data, program faculty garner insight into key strengths of the program and discover areas that may benefit from change. The findings of the analysis and discussion are used to identify program improvement initiatives to ensure the program remains relevant and viable. The data and findings are also often used to prepare for program accreditation or external reviews.

The program matrix is a tool that helps a program see the inter-relatedness of its distinctive strengths with market demand. A program’s placement on the matrix provides guidance to the program faculty in developing strategic program improvement initiatives.

A goal of the self-study is for the program to identify ways to continuously improve its relevance and its viability in the university’s academic program portfolio. Program faculty, after analyzing and discussing the results of the self-study and completing the program matrix, recommend an improvement initiative.

Each academic program, following the completion of the self-study, will prepare a written report. Program faculty will present a briefing of their report and secure approval for their improvement initiative. The program’s dean and others may be invited to the presentation. A summary report will be available to the campus community.