Program Review: Role of the External Reviewer
Consultants for program review serve as objective, discipline-based experts who
provide an external perspective on the department’s demonstrated effectiveness in
the areas of supporting student academic and faculty achievement, productivity and
resource management.
I. Before the Site Visit
- Read critically the self-study document submitted and, in consultation
with co-reviewer, prepare interview questions based on the self-study and
any areas of focus provided by the department.
- Request additional information as needed.
- Provide suggestions regarding individuals or groups to be interviewed
during the site visit.
- Provide feedback to the department regarding the planned itinerary for the
site visit.
II. During the Site Visit
- Gather additional evaluative information from individuals and groups
interviewed.
- Request additional information as needed.
- Provide initial feedback to the department and Dean during an exit
interview.
III. After the Site Visit
- Within one month of the site visit external reviewers will provide to the Dean of the college a written report assessing program strengths, limitation and potential for making improvements.
- If areas of focus were identified for the review, these should also be
explicitly addressed in the written report.
IV. Reimbursement
- For externally accredited programs the reviewers’ fee is usually
established by the accrediting agency and honored by MSU.
- For programs without external accreditations, reviewers will be
reimbursed for all expenses (travel, lodging, meals).
- Academic Affairs will provide honoraria of $600.00 for primary external
reviewers for programs without external accreditations. The second reviewer
will be provided an honorarium of $400.00. These honoraria include both the site visit and the reviewers’ report, which is due no later than one month after
the conclusion of the site visit.
- A contract will be generated and should be signed prior to the site visit,
including reviewer’s name, address, SSN, dates of service, and amount to be
paid.
- The reviewer is responsible for making and paying for his/her own airline
and hotel reservations. They should also pay for any meals not covered by
MSU as part of the review process. Upon submission of a non-state employee
expense report and receipts for these expenses, MSU will generate an internal
purchase order for reimbursement to the reviewer.
