External Reviews

External Reviews

External Reviews are an essential function of the institution’s quality review process and provide perspectives not available on campus. Results of external program reviews are included with other assessment and evaluation information in determining the quality of instruction, curricular relevance, program efficiency and program impact. Additionally, the self-assessment and systematic program review information contribute to planning for continuous improvement of student learning and program quality.

Guiding Principles

• UT Tyler is committed to self-assessment and to external reviews as an integral part of strategic planning, institutional effectiveness and to ensure continuing quality enhancement toward fulfillment of the UT Tyler mission.
• Participation in the review process emphasizes self-assessment and demonstrates a concern about quality, an ability to be self-critical and a willingness to act upon identified concerns.
• External reviewers are selected with particular reference to their records of experience and thoughts relative to broad issues of higher education within their respective disciplines. The external review is considered to be an appropriate assessment effort in the systematic evaluation of performance and accountability.

The external review process includes:

• Completion of a comprehensive self-study.
• A pre-visit review of the self-study report and support documentation by the external reviewer(s).
• A campus visit that includes meetings with all University stakeholders which may be referenced or affected by recommendations. (The external review may be completed as a desk audit for online-only master's degree programs).
• A preliminary exit report shared at the conclusion of the site visit/desk audit.
• An external review report that includes all required review criteria and is provided in a timely manner.
• Integration of the external program review reports and subsequent action plans into the annual assessment plan.

The Office of Continuous Improvement and Accreditation (OCIA) provides an institutional description that describes the institution purpose, governance, programs, degrees, diplomas, certificates, personnel, finances, and constituents. The institutional description should be used in all self-study reports.

UT Tyler graduate program reviews are based on a peer review process that requires program reviewers to make decisions about the program quality, effectiveness, and relevance. In order to maintain the credibility of those decisions, external evaluators are responsible for conducting reviews that uphold the highest level of integrity in all aspects. External reviewers must complete the Ethical Obligations of External Reviewers form affirming that they have no conflict of interest related to UT Tyler and to the program under review.

Graduate Program External Reviews

Master’s and doctoral programs are reviewed on a decennial schedule determined with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and in compliance with Texas State Code. If a UT Tyler program is professionally accredited, the self-study and external review report from the accrediting reviewers replace the GPR self-study and external review report. The THECB Institutional Response Form is still completed and all documents are submitted by August 31 of the review year.

The OCIA maintains the GPR schedule, organized by college, with the year of last review and year of next review.  Information and resources for department chairs/program coordinators and for the external reviewers are located in the handbooks linked below. 

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board UT Tyler Graduate Program External Review Schedule

UT Tyler Graduate Program External Review Handbook 2025-2026

UT Tyler Graduate Program External Reviewer Handbook 2025-2026

College of Arts and Sciences

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Art M.A.	GPR	2024	2034
Biology M.S.	GPR	2024	2034
Chemistry M.S.	GPR	2024	2034
Communication M.A.	GPR	2018	2028
Criminal Justice M.S.	GPR	2018	2028
English M.A.	GPR	2017	2027
History M.A.	GPR	2017	2027
Mathematics M.S.	GPR	2017	2027
Political Science M.A.	GPR	2017	2027
Public Administration M.P.A.	GPR	2018	2028
Studio Art M.F.A.	GPR	2024	2034

 

College of Education and Psychology

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Clinical Psychology M.A.	GPR	2018	2028
Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed.	GPR	2024	2034
Educational Administration M.Ed.	GPR	2018	2028
Reading Education M.Ed.	GPR	2016	2026
School Counseling M.A.	GPR	2017	2027
School Improvement Ed.D.	DPR	2019	2029
Special Education M.Ed.	GPR	2016	2026

 

College of Engineering

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Civil Engineering M.S.C.E.	GPR	2025	2035
Electrical Engineering M.S.E.E.	GPR	2025	2035
Engineering Leadership M.S.	GPR
Mechanical Engineering M.S.M.E.	GPR	2025	2035

 

Soules College of Business

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Computer Science M.S.	GPR	2024	2034
Human Resource Development M.S.	GPR	2018	2028
Human Resource Development Ph.D.	DPR	2018	2028

 

School of Health Professions

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Health Administration M.H.A.	GPR	2017	2027
Health Sciences M.S.	GPR	2017	2027
Kinesiology M.S.	GPR	2017	2027
Public Health M.P.H.	GPR	2022	2032

 

School of Medicine

Program	Type	Year of Last Review	Year of Next Review
Biotechnology M.S.	GPR	2024	2034
Integrated Biomedical Sciences Ph.D.	DPR

 

Academic and Student Support Services External Reviews

Information and resources for reviews of non-academic departments and units are located in the UT Tyler Academic and Student Support: External Review Handbook.

Performance indicators used in external reviews of academic and student support services units included in the self-study and external review reports are based on recognized criteria by the appropriate professional organizations and/or the current Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education.  External reviewers are selected based on appropriate professional experience and expertise within the respective professional area.