A Brief Overview of the Process:

West Virginia Code §18B.1.8 requires that at least every five years all academic programs at the institutions of higher learning undergo a review process.  The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) establishes the authority of the Institutional Governing Boards in conducting the five-year program reviews (see Title 133 Series 10).

The Program Review Committee (PRC) of the Faculty Senate examines the program review self-study documents submitted by the programs and makes the necessary recommendations to the Chief Academic Officer, who in turn, reviews and submits the recommendations to the President.  The findings of the Committee are also reported to the Faculty Senate.  Upon approval of the President, the Chief Academic Officer presents the program review recommendations to the Institutional Board of Governors for final approval.  According to Series 10, "The governing board will report to the Chancellor, by May 31, the results of the program reviews conducted each academic year.  The Higher Education Policy Commission, through its staff or other appropriate entities, shall review annually the program review actions reported by each institution.  The Commission may modify any institutional action consistent with its authority for review of academic programs."

The comprehensive review process examines each academic program in the areas of Adequacy (including the curriculum, faculty, students, resources, and assessment); Viability (including program and course enrollments, enrollment projections, cost analyses, service and off-campus courses, and articulation agreements); and Necessity (including regional availability of the program, and job placement).  The detailed outline of these areas can be found in  "Instructions to Complete Comprehensive Program Review Report for 2004-2005" (Click Here to View the Document).

The Program Review Committee makes its recommendation for action using the following options as specified in Section 5 of the Series 10:

1.  Continuation of the program at the current level of activity, with or without specific action;

2.  Continuation of the program at a reduced level of activity (e.g., reducing the range of optional tracks) or other corrective action;

3.  Identification of the program for further development; or

4.  Development of a cooperative program with another institution, or sharing of courses, facilities, faculty, and the like;

5.  Discontinuance of the program (provisions of HEPC policy on approval and discontinuance of academic programs will apply)

Report Submission Timeline:

Please forward a copy of the documents you are submitting to each  member of the Committee (i.e., please prepare and distribute six copies of your report).

Committee Meetings: