Academic Program Assessment

The PAR Annual Review Metric Table (ARMT) process, developed by the UWRF Program Audit Review (PAR) committee, is part of the response to UW System Administrative Policy 102.C policy section 4.A.ii (May 5, 2026) requiring UW schools to “develop and implement an annual program monitoring policy and process for addressing low enrolling programs.” This must be separate from the regular recurring review processes.   

Every undergraduate and graduate degree program or standalone certificate is reviewed annually using financial and enrollment data. Together, the offices of the Associate Provost and Institutional Research compile the most recent five years of data into a “metric table” summary. The Program Audit Review (PAR) Committee reviews the data, makes preliminary observations, seeks program input on the data and then makes a final categorical recommendation for the status of the program. The final categories are sent to the Provost and Chancellor at the end of each academic year.

• Green indicates no or minor concerns in both the financial and enrollment areas.
• Yellow indicates concerns in one of the areas.
• Red indicates concerns in both areas or a significant concern in one or both areas. Programs categorized as red will need to work with their deans to draft an action plan to respond to the concern.

The Faculty Senate Assessment Committee reviews program assessment plans and reports on a three year cycle. At the review, programs submit their reports on the previous three years, according to their plan, and a revised plan for the upcoming three years. A template is found on the Academic Program Assessment website and rubrics are found on the Faculty Senate Resources website. PIP reviews also coincide and are integrated with the six-year full PAR review. Programs in the full PIP-PAR cycle submit their PIP in early fall, while programs only in the PIP cycle have until spring to submit their plans and reports.  

• Program Assessment Plans and Reports
• Information about student surveys

The expectations for academic program assessment plans and reports are available on the Faculty Senate Academic Forms webpage.

Assessment Plan Template (based on rubric) general instructions: This template is designed to be flexible and helpful, rather than prescriptive. You should feel free to make any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits your specific program and assessment needs. The goal is to provide a structure that supports your planning while allowing for customization based on the unique aspects of your program.

Although this template is based on the currently approved rubric, it is important to remember that the rubric itself serves as the official evaluation metric. Be sure to refer to the rubric to ensure your submission meets all of the required criteria and follows the approved guidelines for assessment. If a section in the template is not relevant to your program, simply indicate that it is not applicable and briefly explain why. This helps clarify why certain sections are excluded while keeping your assessment plan focused and aligned with your program’s objectives.

The Program Audit Review (PAR) Committee reviews all authorized academic programs (i.e., associates degrees, majors, certificates, GEUR and graduate programs) every six years, integrating the three-year PIP review due in early fall semester. The full self-study is due in the spring and a meeting for the program to present to the PAR Committee is scheduled for later in spring. Templates and guidelines are provided on the Academic Program Assessment website. At the presentation meeting, the PAR Committee will move into closed meeting status to make recommendations about the program’s status. A program note, summarizing the PAR Committee’s review is drafted by the associate Provost and sent to the Provost who reviews and formalizes the recommendation and feedback in a letter.  

Programs with disciplinary-specific accreditation (i.e., for the major) may request to be allowed to use their most recent accreditation report if it includes either the same or essentially the same factors used in PAR. Such requests must be supported by the dean and approved by the provost’s office and will be considered if the timeframe is appropriate (i.e., a disciplinary-accreditation review in 2012 should not substitute for a UWRF Program Review in 2025).

Newly authorized programs submit assessment plans and reports and complete a PAR review within six years of implementation, using the same processes as other programs, and as specified in UW System Administrative Policy 102 and 102A.

For programs scheduled for the PIP and/or the PIP-PAR process, the general timeline is as follows:

• October of the prior year: Notice is sent to programs under PIP or PIP-PAR review for the following year.
  • July 1: If external reviewers will be used (optional), the program will notify the AVC Office.
  • Sept. 1: A reminder notice is sent to programs under PIP or PIP-PAR review during the year.
  • Sept. 15: Programs completing the full PIP-PAR process submit updated assessment plans and reports.
  • Feb. 1: Programs completing only the PIP process submit assessment plans and reports. Programs completing the full PIP-PAR review submit their self-study report.
  • Feb. 15-May 1: Program Audit and Review Committee conducts program review presentations.
  • July 1: PAR Committee makes final recommendations to the Provost.
• Self-Study Template
• Presentation Guide

View PAR Committee members.

• Co-Curricular Assessment Information
• Common Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes (PLOs) are focused action statements using clear, measurable and attainable language that reflects the core knowledge, skills and attitudes students should acquire within a specific program. Per the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), PLOs should reflect a level of rigor commensurate with program level (e.g., bachelor’s level, master’s level, etc.), and must be consistent across different modes of delivery and locations.

Every program is required to have PLOs as a basis for academic program assessment and they should be reviewed and updated periodically for relevancy, clarity and focus. Program learning outcomes for all UW-River Falls programs may be found on the PLO webpage and should also be displayed on program websites or in program handbooks. If program learning outcomes need to be modified, please follow the program change approval process through BP Logix. 

• LEAP, Liberal Education and America's Promise
• AAC&U Value Rubrics
• Valid Assessment
• High Impact Educational Practices
• Tuning Academy
• What is Liberal Education?
• Assessment Terminology
• HLC Criteria
• Tableau