Orientation Meeting
After notifying units of an upcoming review via email, AAL schedules orientation meetings with representatives from the units that are up for review. These representatives include college deans, department chairs or school directors, program directors or coordinators, and any other relevant personnel. The purpose of this orientation meeting is to verify the appropriate type of review for the unit, discuss the review modality, funding, support, requirements, due dates, and to answer any additional questions.
Self-Study Report
Each unit is required to develop a self-study report based on a template provided to the unit by AAL. The self-study report is a candid assessment of the program's strengths and areas of growth and involves a deep dive into seven key areas: program and department context; curriculum, assessment of student learning and program improvement; current students; academic support and career development opportunities; alumni; faculty, administration and staff; and facilities and resources. As part of the orientation meeting, AAL advises the unit under review how to obtain key data points needed to complete the self-study. In addition to completing the self-study template, units are required to complete a one to three-page executive summary.
Potential Reviewers List
Units are asked to submit a list of candidates for both external and internal reviewers. The external portion of the review team typically consists of two to three members, depending on the number and/or degree levels of programs grouped in the unit review. The unit is asked to prepare a list of six to ten potential external reviewers from faculty (including some from the industry, in certain circumstances) meeting the requirements listed in the reviewer template. AAL reviews the external reviewer candidates for any potential conflicts of interest using a rubric, asks the unit for prioritization of eligible candidates, and then shares the final list of possible external reviewers in order of invitation with the unit and the college dean. In some instances, AAL may go back to the unit to ask for additional reviewer candidates. To complete the team the unit under review, in collaboration with college leadership, submits three to five names of potential internal reviewers following the requirements listed in the reviewer template. AAL issues invitations to both external and internal reviewers and informs the unit when the review team has been confirmed.