Frequently Asked Questions About Program Reviews

Are specific courses required in order to meet the guidelines of the various specialized professional associations?

Each professional association sets forth its requirements in its guidelines. Specific courses are not required although a few associations recommend courses that might be offered to meet a number of their guidelines. Some guidelines can be met with a specific course, but many of them are met by units within a course or by content integrated across a number of courses. If there is still a doubt after perusing the guidelines, contact the program review coordinator for the association for further advice.

How does one write a program review?

Instructions for writing program reviews are set forth in Approved Curriculum Guidelines, both in the “Introduction” and in each set of guidelines. Instructions and advice are also available from the specialized professional associations.

Does NCATE have sample program reviews to use as a guide?

No, but an institution could check with the specialized professional association to see if “sample program reviews” are available.

When is my program review due?

Institutions preparing for their first accreditation visit must submit program reviews to NCATE 18 months before the visit.

Institutions preparing program reviews for continuing accreditation reviews must submit program reviews to NCATE one year before the visit.

Institutions that have not had an NCATE review under the current standards must submit fourcopies (initial and advanced physical education and health education require five copies) of the program review to NCATE with their preconditions package 18 months before the visit.

May I have an extension in the due date of my program review?

Contact Wendy Wiggins at the NCATE office if an extension is needed. However, due to the scheduling of program review teams by the specialized professional associations and NCATE’s timeline for submission of program reviews, it is not always possible to grant an extension.

When will I receive the critique from the specialized professional association?

The critiques from the associations are due at the NCATE office four months after the program reviews have been submitted. It takes at least two weeks to check them in and prepare letters of transmittal to institutions. Institutions that submit program reviews in February should receive their first critiques soon after July 15. Those that submit program reviews in September should receive their first critiques in early February. See our program review timeline for more information.

How many copies of the program review should I send to NCATE?

Most associations require four copies of a program review. Physical education and health education programs must submit 5 copies. Check the introduction for each set of guidelines for the exact number of program reviews that should be submitted.

How many copies of the interim report must be submitted to NCATE?

Five copies of the interim report must be submitted to NCATE. Interim reports are due on the same timeline as full program reviews (i.e., February 1 or September 15).

Should I bind the program reviews, and if so, what method is preferred?

Any secure binding method is acceptable. Three-ring notebooks should not be used, except for the Council for Exceptional Children.

Should I single-space or double-space my program reviews?

Either single- or double-spacing is acceptable, however, the maximum number of pages per program review is 140.

What is the function of the Status of Program Reviews report?

The reports are compiled by the NCATE staff and mailed to institutions two years before their continuing accreditation reviews. The report indicates the programs offered at the institution for which there are approved curriculum guidelines. It also shows whether the program met national guidelines at the last on-site visit and the type of program review (i.e., full or interim) that is due for the upcoming visit.

About NCATE  |  Standards  |  Institutions/Programs  | Research/Resources  
Publications   | Accreditation Procedures  | Program Reviews | State Partners  
Board of Examiners  | Policies/Governance  |  Future Teachers  | FAQs | Contact Us    
Archives |  Search  |  NCATE Home  

Copyright © 1997–2001, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
All rights reserved. NCATE is the professional accrediting organization for schools, colleges, and departments of education in the United States. It is a coalition of over 30 organizations representing teachers, teacher educators, policymakers, and the public.

NCATE—2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500 Washington DC 20036-1023
phone: (202) 466-7496 | fax: (202) 296-6620 | website: www.ncate.org
ncate@ncate.org
For assistance with this website, contact the webmaster.