Office of Academic Assessment

Audit & Review

The Audit and Review process at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is intended to facilitate the continuous improvement of all academic programs. Programs complete a comprehensive self-study and reflect on their achievements, progress, areas for improvement, and goals for the future. The process provides an opportunity for programs to talk about trends, issues, and progress over time, and to discuss these areas with their Dean/s and the Provost.


Purpose

Conducted within all instructional areas on a five-year cycle, the Audit and Review process facilitates continuous program improvement by:

  • Identifying needs for further study and/or planning.
  • Helping programs set priorities.
  • Ensuring appropriate standards for program quality.
  • Identifying needs and unique circumstances of specific programs.
  • Identifying non-functional and unnecessarily duplicative programs.
  • Identifying needs for structural changes in programs or administrative units.

Process and Timeline

Downloadable Graph

Self-Study 

When a program is schedule for Audit and Review, it composes a self-study. Authors often begin by consulting the self-study and final report from the previous Audit and Review process—see Self-Study FAQs for information on how to locate—and the Undergraduate Self-Study Instructions or the Graduate Self-Study Instructions.

In its self-study, the program covers the following areas:

  • program purpose and overview, including program mission, goals, and accomplishments
  • assessment of curriculum and student learning
  • student recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation
  • resource availability and development

The program submits a self-study draft to the dean by October 1; it submits a final version to the Undergraduate or Graduate Audit and Review Committee by November 1.

Committee Draft Report

The Audit and Review Committee goes through a systematic process of evaluating a self-study.  Each member evaluates the self-study through a Qualtrics survey, and the committee meets to discuss survey output.  In a (draft) report on the self-study, which it submits to the dean and program coordinator or department chair, the committee recommends one of the following results:

  1. Insufficient information in the self-study to make determination
    The program should revise and resubmit its self-study.
  2. Continuation without qualification
  3. Continuation with minor concerns
    At the committee’s discretion, the program may need to provide a progress report.
  4. Continuation with major concerns in one or more of the four areas
    The program will submit progress reports that address the major concerns outlined by the review committee to the college dean and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
  5. Withhold recommendation for continuation and place program on probation
    At the committee's discretion, the program may need to complete another Audit and Review within 1-3 years.
  6. Withhold recommendation for continuation, place program on probation, and recommend placing in receivership within college
    At the committee's discretion, the program may need to complete another Audit and Review within 1-3 years.
  7. Non-continuation of program

This list of recommended results does not work as a grading scale. For example, “Continuation without qualification” is not equivalent to an A, and the requirement for a program to submit a progress report does not, in itself, suggest a below average program. However, the process does affirm a program receiving the result of "continuation without qualification" as exemplary.

Face-to-Face Meeting

The program coordinator/department chair, college dean, provost, and members of the Audit and Review Committee meet face-to-face to discuss the committee's draft report and determine recommended actions and results. The process is meant to be collaborative; during this meeting, parties may discuss discrepancies in how they understood or assessed the program.

Committee Final Report

In its final written report, the review committee summarizes the discussion at the face-to-face meeting, lists program strengths and weaknesses, and makes final determination on recommended actions and a recommended result.

The Undergraduate Audit and Review Committee and Graduate Audit and Review Committee each use a Qualtrics survey to evaluate self-studies. Prior to the Qualtrics survey, review committee members complete an evaluation form. Only committee members have access to the Qualtrics surveys, but the evaluation criteria are shown in the evaluation forms below.

The Audit and Review portal is where faculty will search for reports, submit reports, review status of reports, and can view past submissions. Please note, reports are initiatied by the Office of Academic Assessment. Program Coordinators and/or self-study authors will receive an email when the portal is ready for the program's submission.

Access to Audit & Review Portal

The following are some resources authors commonly draw upon as they craft their self-studies:

  1. UW-Whitewater Core Values & Mission Statement
  2. UW-Whitewater Strategic Plan
  3. University-Wide Survey Results
    Contains results from a number of important surveys, including National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE), and Senior Outcomes Assessment Survey (SOAS).
  4. Fact Book
    Provides historical official statistics for UW-Whitewater.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
    Provides information on employment projections.
  6. Inclusive Excellence Guidelines
  7. UW-Whitewater Essential Learning Outcomes
  8. Career Statistics

For additional assistance with completing a self-study, contact the Office of Academic Assessment (assessment@uww.edu, 262-472-1806).

The table below displays the 5- year cycle of self-studies along with any additional reports that are required. Find your undergraduate major, stand-alone minor, or graduate program to view the dates of previous, upcoming, and future reports. Self-studies are due to the College Dean by October 1 st of the review year and to the Audit and Review Committee by November 1 st of the same year.

Click on "Final Eval" to view the most recent final evaluation for your program. You can find the "Recommended Actions," conclusions, and details about any additional reports that may be due at the end of this final evaluation report. This table is updated annually at the end of the Audit and Review cycle. 

Key:  SS = Self-Study          SS* = Short Self-Study           PR = Progress Report

College Program Previous SS due to A&R Committee Most Recent Evaluation Most Recently Received Next Due Future Reports
  Undergraduate Program          
COBE
Accounting Major, Minor  BBA
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS** 2017
SS 2023
SS 2028
A&C
Art & Art Education Majors, Minor  (BA, BFA, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2024
SS 2029
IS
Applied Arts and Science (BAAS)
Nov. 1, 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
IS
Associated Arts and Science (AAS)
Nov. 1, 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
Biological Sciences Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
COEPS
Business Education Major  BSE
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS* 2026
SS 2031
L&S
Chemistry Majors,Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
PR 2023
SS 2026
COEPS
Communication Sciences and Disorders Majors, Minors (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS 2019
SS 2022
SS 2027
A&C
Communication and Journalism Majors, Minors (BA/BS)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS* 2025
SS 2030
L&S
Computer Science
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2020
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Criminology
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval 
SS 2019 
SS 2024
SS 2029
COEPS
Early Child Care & Education Major (BA, BS)
New Spring 2019
 
 
1st SS 2024
SS 2029
COEPS
Early Childhood Education Major BSE
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS* 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
COBE
Economics Majors, Minors  (BA, BBA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS* 2025
SS 2030
COEPS
Elementary Education Major  BSE
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2019
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
English Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
COBE
Entrepreneurship Major  BBA
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2020
PR 2022
SS 2024
L&S
Environmental Science
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2020
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Film Studies Major (BA)
New Fall 2018
 
1st SS 2023
SS 2028
COBE
Finance Majors, Minors  (BBA)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS* 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
French, German, & Spanish Majors, Minors (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
COBE
General Business Major, Minor  BBA
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
L&S
General Education Program
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
COBE
General Management Major  BBA
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S
Geography/Geology Majors, Minors (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS* 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
COEPS
Human Performance Majors, Minors (BSE, L&S)
New Fall 2020
1st SS 2025
SS 2030
COEPS
Health, Phy Ed & Adapted PE Majors, Minors (BSE)
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2020
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
History Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2022
SS 2024
SS 2029
COBE
Human Resource Management Major, Minor  BBA
Nov. 1, 2016
Final Eval
PR 2018
SS 2022
SS 2026
COBE
Information Technology Major, Minor  BBA
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
L&S, COBE
Integrated Science Business Majors  (BBA, BS)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
COBE
International Business
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2019
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
International Studies Majors, Minors  (BA, BS)
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S
Japanese Studies Majors, Minors (BA)
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
Liberal Studies Majors, Minors  (BA, BS)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS* 2025
SS 2030
COBE
Marketing Major, Minor  BBA
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS* 2023
SS 2028
L&S
Mathematics Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2024
SS 2029
A&C
Media Arts and Game Development Majors  (BA, BS)
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
A&C
Music Majors, Minors  (BA, BM)
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
COBE
Occupational Safety Major, Minor  BS
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
COBE
Operations and Supply Chain Management Major  BBA
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS 2017
SS* 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Physics Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS 2017
SS* 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Political Science Majors, Minors  (BA,BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
L&S
Psychology Majors, Minors  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS** 2017
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Public Policy and Administration Major, Minors  BS
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2020
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Social Work Majors, Hum Srvs Fd Minor  (BA, BS)
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS* 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S
Sociology Major, Minor  (BA, BS, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS* 2019
SS 2024
SS 2029
COEPS
Special Education Majors, Minors  (BSE)
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
PR 2022
SS 2025
A&C
Theatre & Dance Majors, Minors  (BA, BFA, BSE)
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
PR 2020
 SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S
Women's and Gender Studies Majors, Minors  (BA,BS)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2024
SS 2029
Stand-Alone Minors
L&S
Anthropology Minor  
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2024
SS 2029
A&C
Arts Management Minor  
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
Suspended 2021
L&S
Asian Studies Minor  
Nov. 1, 2015
Final Eval
PR March 2017
Program Discontinued
L&S
Bioinformatics Minor
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
 SS 2020
PR 2022
PR 2023
COBE
Business Data Analytics Minor
New Fall 2015
Final Eval
1st SS 2020
SS 2025
L&S
Criminal Justice Minor  
Nov. 1, 2011
Final Eval
SS 2011
Program Replaced by Criminology
L&S
Family, Health, and Disability Studies Minor  
Nov. 1, 2016
Final Eval
SS 2016
SS* 2021
SS 2026
A&C
Film Studies Minor
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS* 2021
SS 2026
SS 2031
L&S
Forensic Science ­ Criminal Justice Minor  
Nov. 1, 2011
Final Eval
PR 2014
Program Discontinued
L&S
Gender & Ethnic Studies Minor  
Nov. 1, 2014
Final Eval
PR 2017
Program Discontinued
L&S
Latin American Studies Minor  
Nov. 1, 2011
Final Eval
PR 2014
Program on Hold
COEPS
Leadership & Military Science Minor  
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
Middle Eastern Studies Minor
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
 PR 2022
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
Peace & Justice Studies Minor
New Fall 2011
Program Discontinued
L&S
Philosophy Minor  
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
PR 2020
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Race & Ethnic Studies Minor  
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S,COEPS
Teaching English as a Second Language Minor  
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
SS 2025
SS 2030
L&S
World Religions Minor 
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2020
PR 2022
SS 2023
Graduate Program
COBE
Accounting
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS 2017
PR 2022
Suspended 2021
COBE
Applied Doctorate in Business
Nov. 1,2019
  Final Eval
SS 2019
SS* 2024
SS 2029
COBE
Applied Economics (MS)
New Spring 2014
Program Discontinued
COBE
Business Administration
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS 2019
SS 2024
SS 2029
COBE
Business Education
Nov. 1, 2021
Final Eval
SS 2021
SS* 2026
SS 2031
A&C
Communication
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
PR 2021
SS 2023
SS 2028
COEPS
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS 2019
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Computer Science (MS)
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS 2019
SS 2024
SS 2029
COEPS
Counseling
Nov. 1, 2019
Final Eval
SS 2019
SS 2024
SS 2029
COBE
Environmental Safety & Health (MS) 
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
COBE
Finance (MS)
New Spring 2019
 
1st SS 2024
SS 2029
COEPS
Professional Studies (MSE)
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2020
PR 2022
SS 2023
COBE
School Business Management
Nov. 1, 2018
Final Eval
SS 2018
SS 2023
SS 2028
L&S
School Psychology
Nov. 1, 2017
Final Eval
SS** 2017
SS 2022
SS 2027
L&S
Social Work (MSW)
New Fall 2018
1st SS 2023
SS 2028
COEPS
Special Education
Nov. 1, 2020
Final Eval
SS 2020
PR 2023
SS 2025

Key: SS = Self-Study          SS* = Short Self-Study          SS** = DQP Report Submitted in Lieu of Self-Study          PR = Progress Report