Step 1 - The Self Study

Preparing the Self-Study Narrative

• Part 1, the narrative includes three major sections addressing program quality, program effectiveness, and a concluding summary section.
• Part 2, the appendices, provides supplementary information to explain further and support Part 1.

Ideally, no longer than 25 pages (excluding the appendices), the narrative section is an opportunity for departments to address program effectiveness by examining any program strengths or weaknesses, documenting previous milestones or success and outlining goals and action plans for coming years (5-7 years). The more effective self-study narratives combine data and data analysis within their discussion, referencing data provided in the appendices. Integrated with the operational planning and assessment cycle at Spelman College, the Self-Study helps to clarify and communicate program needs over time.

Optional Review Foci

Those programs that have completed consistent and cyclical review processes have the option, upon consultation with the Provost, to identify specific topics on which to focus their Self-Study. These topics should address key questions or concerns that have the potential to significantly impact the program or program improvement within the immediate future or that speak to very specific and current needs of the program. While the self-study must address the core review criteria of program quality and effectiveness in general, this option gives some flexibility to the department.

The request should be made at least a semester prior to the programs next scheduled review cycle.

Part 1: Preparing the Self-Study Narrative
Cover Page - Provide the following information:

• Academic Program: List the program and department.
• Division: List the division and the Division Chair for the program
• Program Majors/Minors Offered: List any majors and minors offered and the degrees conferred with each. Include any centers or initiatives.
• Program Review Team: Provide the names of all faculty members completing this self-study and their roles (if applicable).
• Submission Date: Date self-study document is submitted to the Office of the Provost.

• Provide the hyperlink to the current Spelman College Bulletin or appropriate website.
• Briefly present the program’s current strengths. Outline any areas that require attention or need enhancement.
• Response and Follow-up to Previous Program Review (if applicable):
• Summarize the findings and recommendations from the last program review process. Discuss actions or strategies implemented and the status of any program modifications.

The Narrative
The narrative generally consists of three sections. The first section examines program quality and may address issues related to accreditation or accreditation criteria, mission alignment and program resources (both human and physical resources). The second section addresses program effectiveness and examines the curriculum, student success, student learning outcomes and assessment. The third section summarizes the program’s self-study findings, discusses implications, strategic planning goals and priorities.

The following inventory of questions provides prompts and suggestions on what to address in each section of the report.

1. Accreditation (if applicable)
   Provide details of any external accreditations held by the program.
   1. List all accrediting bodies that are relevant to program offerings.
   2. Describe the current accreditation status of the program.
   3. Describe future accreditation plans or reporting schedules.
2. Program Mission Alignment

1. 1. Summarize the history of the program or department.
   2. Discuss the program’s mission, vision and goals and their alignment with the mission of the college as well as that of the division or department.
   3. Consider the program’s contribution to delivering the Spelman Promise and elevating the Spelman difference. Discuss academic innovations within the program that support the College’s service, social and economic roles. Briefly highlight the program’s research and scholarly products and its creative activity in support of the mission. (More detail may be provided in the section on Faculty Scholarship, Research and Creative Production).
2.  
3. Program Resources

Provide details regarding the organization of the unit, faculty and staff qualifications, appointments and workloads, faculty research, scholarship, recruitment and retention, financial resources and budget allocation and physical resources and facilities.

Organization of the Unit:
Discuss the various leadership roles and their assigned duties within the program. Discuss faculty and staff work distribution and the adequacy of support staff.

What are the duties of the department chair, program chair, or unit director? Are these explicitly outlined in the Faculty Handbook? If so, this statement could be used along with specifics from the program.
How is work distributed to faculty and/or staff in a manner that enables the unit to function efficiently?
Is the support staff adequate to support the program/department operations? Is support staff sufficiently qualified and trained?

Faculty and Staff Qualifications, Appointments and Workloads (past five years):
Discuss faculty and staff qualifications. Discuss faculty and staff teaching loads/workloads and the extent to which current staffing supports the needs of the program.

1. List the qualification and rank of Full-Time (F) and Part-Time (P) Faculty. Describe the faculty and staff’s areas of expertise. (See Attachment 1 for format).
2. What is the balance in terms of senior and junior appointments? Describe faculty career stage distribution and tenure flow.
3. What are the teaching loads for faculty and workloads for staff? Discuss the workloads of online faculty. What are the indicators of faculty satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their workloads?
4. To what extent are existing faculty and staff able to meet current needs of program. If new appointments are needed, how would the new faculty or staff line(s) complement the existing competencies within the department?
5. Comment on the overall quality of the faculty.

Faculty Scholarship, Research and Creative Production:
Discuss program faculty scholarship, research and creative activities that advance the culture of teaching and foster academic innovations. Comment on faculty quality, productivity, and standing in the field.

1. Discuss the depth and quality of faculty scholarship, research and creative activity. Does the department’s scholarship/creative production reflect current practice in the discipline?
2. Discuss the impact of faculty scholarship, research and creative productions on the delivery of effective, high quality educational experiences and student services.
3. Comment on the faculty’s pursuit of external funding to support the research, teaching, and creative production enterprises.
4. Describe faculty engagement in interdisciplinary teaching, and/or scholarship. How does such activity benefit the department?
5. How does the program recognize, reward and enable research and academic innovation of its faculty? Discuss the structures that foster ongoing academic innovation within the program.

Faculty Recruitment and Retention:
Discuss faculty recruitment and retention efforts.

1. Discuss any significant recent hires or departures within the last 5-7 year.
2. Has the department been successful in recruiting and retaining top faculty? If not, discuss any major challenges or barriers.
3. How does the department engage and mentor junior faculty?
4. What structures are in place to develop academic leadership?
5. What are the program retention patterns?
6. Is there adequate support for faculty professional development (including faculty mentoring and professional development opportunities beyond the college)?

Financial Resources-Budget Allocation:
Discuss in brief the adequacy of budget/financial resources and how the resource allocation aligns with the strategic priorities of the college.

1. Provide a copy of the current departmental budget.
2. Detail how program planning and assessment help direct operational planning decisions.
3. What are current and future operational goals and how are these aligned with budgetary planning?
4. What are the most urgent budgetary needs? How are these prioritized? Discuss short- and long-range plans that address these priorities and how resource allocation might support program quality or effectiveness.
5. Do faculty have input into developing budget priorities?

Physical Resources and Facilities:
Discuss the adequacy of physical resources to support the strategic priorities of the college.

1. Assess quantity and quality of space available to department. Does it meet the needs within the department?
2. How adequate are computers, computer support, computer networking, laboratories, and special equipment? How adequate is maintenance and upkeep?