Tools & Resources

This page brings together templates, tools, training, and resources for Academic Unit Review. Use them to plan your review, write the self study, host external reviewers, and manage follow up. 

Overview

Academic Unit Review Guidebook

• 3-Phase Process Map
• Onboarding Presentation
• Academic Unit Review Schedule

Self-Study 

• Guiding Questions to Identify Key Issues
• Self-Study Outline 
• Sample Self-Study Report
• Data Definitions

Watermark Planning & Self-Study Portal

External Review

• Peer Reviewer Nominations & Key Issues Form
• Peer and Aspirational Institutions List 
• On-Site External Review Example Schedule
• External Reviewer Evaluation Rubric/Form 

Watermark Planning & Self-Study Portal

All units will complete the Self-Study Template using Watermark Planning & Self-Study. This platform provides a centralized space for gathering data, documenting responses, uploading supporting materials, and submitting the final report.

Once the Self-Study Team is identified, members will be granted access to the Watermark Planning & Self-Study portal.

• Watermark Help Page

Watermark Planning & Self-Study

Compliance and Accreditation Policies

Academic Unit Reviews can serve as a key compliance checkpoint, helping assess unit and program alignment with accreditation standards.

SACSCOC

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requires institutions to conduct periodic academic program reviews as part of their continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness processes. While SACSCOC does not mandate a specific review cycle or format, its Principles of Accreditation outline key expectations for assessing academic programs.

• SACSCOC Resource Manual for The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancemen

THECB & Texas Administrative Code

When completed, graduate programs portions of the Academic Unit Reviews will fulfill the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) requirements for Periodic Review of Graduate Programs.

• Texas Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter I, Section 2.181
• THECB Program Reviews

Specialized Accrediations

While programmatic or specialized accreditation reviews ensure programs meet professional standards, they are not a substitute for Academic Unit Reviews, which evaluates programs within Texas Tech’s institutional context. However, overlap between these processes should be leveraged to minimize administrative burden.

• Institutional Accreditations by Department and Program