APR Self-Study Report Guide

This self-study report guide is tailored for stakeholders such as self-study committee members, institutional leadership, and external reviewers who use the self-study report to assess program quality, effectiveness, and areas for improvement. It is designed to be accessible to both experienced and novice program review participants, providing clear instructions, examples, and criteria to facilitate an in-depth and meaningful evaluation process. 

Intended Audience

The guide is particularly valuable for individuals appointed to the self-study committee, as it provides them with the tools, structure, and guidance needed to write a comprehensive, compelling, and cohesive self-study report for their unit. By outlining key components, expectations, and best practices, the guide helps committee members navigate the complexities of data collection, analysis, and documentation, ensuring the report effectively highlights the program's strengths, identifies areas for improvement, and aligns with institutional and accreditation standards. Additionally, it supports both seasoned and first-time committee members in creating a meaningful and actionable assessment that drives program enhancement.

Expected launch date is April 2025, prior to the APR Kickstart workshops. 
A working document of the guide can be viewed at: https://arizona.app.box.com/s/fnzpn60l8ydjmimxvoa8u4m1b3gu3mcz 

For questions or concerns, please contact the Kat Francisco at kats@arizona.edu. 

The cover of the self-study report should be professional and informative, providing key details to ensure clarity and proper identification of the document. A well-designed cover should include the following elements in the example layout: 

Self-Study Report 
[Department Name] 
[College Name] 
University of Arizona 
Date: [Month 20XX] 
Prepared by the Academic Program Review Self-Study Committee 
[Unit Logo] 

To view examples of actual self-study report covers, visit the APR Self-Study Report page at: https://academicaffairs.arizona.edu/apr-manual-self-study-report 

The Table of Contents for the self-study report should provide a clear, organized overview of the report’s structure and key sections. It should list all major headings and subheadings with corresponding page numbers to help readers navigate the document efficiently.

The introduction section of a self-study report should be very brief (not more than half the page) and set the stage for the document, providing context, purpose, and an overview of what the report will address. It should be concise, engaging, and informative. Below are the key elements to include:

  • Purpose of the Self-Study
  • Context of the Program/Unit
  • Alignment with Institutional Goals
  • Overview of the Report
  • Acknowledgment of Contributors (Optional)

 

Introduction Example:
The purpose of this self-study report is to evaluate the [Unit or Program Name] as part of the University of Arizona’s regular program review cycle, ensuring the unit continues to fulfill its mission and contribute to the strategic goals of the university. This comprehensive review examines the curriculum, faculty achievements, student outcomes, research contributions, and resource allocation over the past seven years. It also identifies strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for growth in alignment with institutional priorities.
This self-study report is supported by an extensive institutional dataset, which provides comprehensive information on key metrics such as enrollment trends, student demographics, retention and graduation rates, faculty profiles, and program performance indicators. These data offer valuable insights into the program's strengths and challenges, forming the foundation for evidence-based analysis throughout the report. For further reference the Required Institutional Dataset is appended to this document. 

 

Units must download Required Institutional Dataset from the UAccess Analytics Dashboard under Toolkit > APR and append the document to the self-study report.