External review teams
History of accreditation
The accreditation process in the U.S. is over 100 years old, and emerged initially from a desire to protect public health and safety. It is carried out by private, nonprofit organizations that were specifically set up for the purpose. It is non-governmental, decentralized and very complex.
Purpose of accreditation
As part of accreditation, all degree granting programs are reviewed on a regular basis. The process can be onerous, but if undertaken with a perspective of self improvement, can also be very valuable. The federal government relies on accreditation to determine academic quality, and it determines the degree to which federal funds are available both to the institution and for students in the form of federal aid. States likewise require accreditation within a designated period of time in order to make state funds available to institutions. Faculty members play a pivotal role in the review process by serving on external review teams that can examine programs, colleges and universities.
Department level external review
Outside of the accreditation process or as one part of it, a department may decide it needs an external review as part of program improvement. The process begins with putting together a report summing up the activities of the department and inviting a team of outside experts, usually who have chaired departments at comparable institutions, to visit the campus. The group reads the report, interviews faculty members and students, and writes a review which it presents to the department. The outsider perspective of faculty members from other institutions is invaluable to the program improvement process.
Role of faculty on review teams
External Review Teams typically have three members, but can be smaller or larger, who write up a single report. It is an arduous process that spans from breakfast meetings with department heads well into the evening with other team members going over notes. After two days or more of nonstop meetings and interviews, the members of the team put their heads together and prepare a substantive report that synthesizes all they have heard and seen, along with recommendations for improvement. It is necessary for the team to reach consensus in this process. This intensive work provides an important service to colleagues at other campuses.
Review Process and History
An Overview of U.S. Accreditation
Eaton, J. (Revised May 2009). Council for Higher Education Accreditation
This overview offers a comprehensive look at the accreditation review process, including the types of accrediting organizations, the role, how accreditation is funded, and standards. This site was used to craft the above descriptions of external review.
Program Review Process
University faculty governance, Cornell University
All departments, degree-granting fields, and centers will be reviewed every five to ten years, and this is a site that outlines the process at Cornell University. The review team is described, the self study process, the format for the final report, and the entities who contribute to the process are all outlined in some detail.
WASC Accreditation
San Jose State University
This site provides an overview of the sorts of materials WASC boards, which include faculty members serving as evaluators, prepare for the boards.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Directories
CHEA.org
This site outlines the various services provided by the council, how it informs the public, along with other information regarding accreditation in higher education.
Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (2005). Commission on Colleges
This site outlines the principles and philosophy of accreditation, and the core requirements and standards.
Role of Faculty in Program Review
The Joy of External Reviews
Werner, M. pseudonym (March, 2007). Advice, The Chronicle of Higher Education
This reflection on requests to serve as an external reviewer illustrates some of the challenges and cautions as well as the rewards of serving as an external reviewer.
Example Review Process
Program Review
Sonoma State University Policy, Sonoma State University
This site outlines the process and purpose of review at one CSU campus.
Elements of the Program Review
The Graduate School, UNC Chapel Hill
This site outlines review as one example of the process used to review programs.
Example Report Template
Board of Examiners Report
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
This template indicates the sorts of reports filed by Boards of Examiners that include faculty members.
Example Final Report
Diversity External Review Team Issues Report on CU-Boulder’s Current Diversity Efforts
University of Colorado at Boulder (December, 2000).
This is a summary of the final report of the External Review Team as one example.
External Review Team Report
Applied Science, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, College of William and Mary Program Review (March, 2009).
This is an example report outlining numerous parameters of the review.
University Committee on Educational Policy: Comparison of UC Campus Undergraduate Program Review Practices
(July, 2008)
This grid compares the external review cycles at each of the UC campuses.
External Review of New Graduate Level Academic Programs
Oregon State University System
Each institution requesting a new graduate level professional or degree program must complete an external review of the proposed program. This site outlines the parameters of that review.
