Academic Program Review
Academic Program Review (APR) is required of all programs without periodic, discipline-specific accreditation or approval. APR provides program faculty the opportunity to more thoroughly examine student outcomes and what steps can be taken to improve student success.
APR operates on a seven-year cycle. New programs undergo APR after completing their post-implementation review by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and every seven years thereafter.
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness assists and coordinates the APR process by:
- maintaining the review schedule;
- providing orientation sessions for academic programs prior to review;
- providing institutional data (in conjunction with Institutional Research);
- compiling data for peer programs;
- conducting surveys and/or focus groups of current students upon request; and,
- training on and assisting with Watermark’s Planning and Self-Study, the University’s assessment management system.
If you have questions or would like assistance, please contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at assessment@southalabama.edu or (251) 460-6447.
The final submission to OIE through Watermark’s Planning & Self-Study should include a completed self-study with an action plan, the external reviewer’s report, and all required supporting documentation/evidence.
This handbook was designed to facilitate a successful academic program review (APR) process. It provides detailed information as to what an APR entails, including the specific steps and a timeline of the process. Guiding questions and other resources are provided to support self-study activities and lead to actionable items aimed at improving student outcomes over time.
The Table of Contents can be used to quickly navigate to a specific section or resource. Resources include:
- Suggestions for organizing the process
- A comprehensive timeline
- A detailed outline for the self-study
- A list of the data and resources to be utilized
- Guide to creating a curriculum map
- And more…
Department chairs and program coordinators are encouraged to share this handbook and its accompanying resources with faculty and staff participating in the review to ensure everyone is aware of the expectations for completing an APR.
After reviewing this document, if you have questions about the APR process, please contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at assessment@southalabama.edu or (251) 460-6447.
| 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences, BSBS | Chemical Engineering, MSChE | Biology, BS (inclusive of double majors: Biology and Education) | Geography, BS |
| Civil Engineering, MSCE | Communication, MA | Biology, MS | Interdisciplinary Studies Program, BA/BS |
| Environmental Sciences, MS | Educational Leadership, EDD | Communication Studies, BA | Marine Conservation and Resource Management, MS |
| Exercise Science, BS | Electrical Engineering, MSEE | Educational Media and Technology, MS | Marine Sciences, MS |
| Exercise Science, MS | Health Promotion, BS | Geology, BS | Marine Sciences, PhD |
| Instructional Design and Development, MS |
Health Promotion, MS |
Sport Management and Recreation Studies, BS | Mathematics and Statistics, BS (inclusive of double majors: Math and Education) |
| Instructional Design and Development, PhD | Hospitality and Tourism Management, BS | Mathematics, MS | |
| International Studies, BA | Mechanical Engineering, MSME | Political Science, BA | |
| Systems Engineering, PhD | Sociology, BA | Public Administration, MPA | |
| Speech and Hearing Sciences, BSSH | |||
| Sport Management, MS | |||
| Systems Engineering, MS |
