In 1971, the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees established an academic planning and program review policy (AP 71-32) requiring each campus to establish criteria and procedures for planning and developing new programs and conduct regular reviews of existing programs.

CSU Executive Order 595 calls for "regular periodic reviews of general education policies and practices in a manner comparable to those of major programs. The review should include an off-campus component."

CSU Executive Order 729 also calls for periodic reviews of centers, institutes, and similar organizations. Program Review has been reaffirmed in The Cornerstones Report and in the Cornerstones Implementation Plan.

In 1992 Cal Poly adopted the Academic Program Review and Improvement Guidelines establishing procedures for the conduct of academic program reviews. These procedures for external reviews of programs have since been modified. Currently, the information requested from programs undergoing internal review includes descriptions of educational goals, instructional designs and methods, assessment methods and the data so collected, and the procedures for utilizing the collected information.  

Timing
The timing of program review is adjusted to coincide with the schedule for specialized accreditation review to minimize the workload of the program faculty.

To additional information on Program Review

Academic Senate Resolution AS-552-00/IALA