Program Accreditations and Reviews
Disciplinary program accreditations and reviews are a valuable way to examine, assess, and strengthen the quality of academic programs. This is beneficial to both programs and students by fulfilling state requirements and assuring institutional quality.
In 2023, the School of Business received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for five more years. In addition, the Department of Counselor Education’s accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) was extended for two more years.
Every five to seven years, undergraduate academic departments at SUNY New Paltz that do not follow accreditation guidelines by discipline-specific organizations conduct program reviews. During program reviews, departments conduct an in-depth self-study followed by an external review by evaluators from other universities and colleges. The evaluators review the self-study; examine the facilities; and meet with campus faculty, staff, and students to analyze the quality of academic programs and offer suggestions for improvement. The evaluators also submit a report detailing their findings.
After the evaluators’ report has been received, the following actions occur to close the loop.
- The chair and faculty meet to discuss the external reviewers’ report, the self-study recommendations, and to formulate a Muti-Year Continuous Improvement Program Plan of no more than three years. The plan should address the findings and recommendations from the self-study and the external reviewers, and include a timeline for specific actions to improve or sustain program quality and address weaknesses.
- The chair discusses the action plan with the dean.
- The dean, chair, associate dean, and associate provost meet with the Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs to discuss the Multi-Year Continuous Improvement Program Plan.
- The department incorporates elements from the Muti-Year Continuous Improvement Program Plan into the annual assessment plan, as appropriate, and report findings in the annual “close the loop” assessment report(s).
- The Muti-Year Continuous Improvement Program Plan is updated (e.g., If a 3-year plan, add another year).
More detailed information about the program review can be found in the “Planning, Assessment, and Reporting Guidelines and Resources for Academic and Administrative Divisions” on the Strategic Planning and Assessment website.
Three departments conducted successful program reviews in 2023. These included Geography and Environmental Sciences, chaired by Salvatore Engel-Dimauro; Psychology, chaired by Jonathan Raskin; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, chaired by Karl Bryant.
This semester, Communication Studies, Digital Media & Journalism, and Mathematics are conducting program reviews. Current and upcoming program reviews and accreditations appear below.
| YEAR | PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT / SCHOOL | ACCREDITATION / PROGRAM REVIEW |
| 2024 | Art | Accreditation (NASAD) |
| Communication Studies | Program Review | |
| Computer Engineering | Accreditation (ABET) | |
| Digital Media & Journalism | Program Review | |
| Electrical Engineering | Accreditation (ABET) | |
| Mathematics | Program Review | |
| Mechanical Engineering | Accreditation (ABET) | |
| 2025 | Asian Studies | Program Review |
| Chemistry | Program Review | |
| Chemistry | Accreditation (ACS) | |
| Computer Science | Program Review | |
| Counselor Education | Accreditation (CACREP) | |
| Environmental Science | Program Review | |
| Latin American & Caribbean Studies | Program Review | |
| Music | Accreditation (NASM) | |
| Music Therapy | Accreditation (AMTA) | |
| Sociology | Program Review | |
| 2026 | Anthropology | Program Review |
| Biochemistry | Program Review | |
| Biology | Program Review | |
| Center for Student Success | Certification (CRLA) | |
| Political Science & International Relations | Program Review | |
| Theatre | Accreditation (NAST) | |
| 2027 | English | Program Review |
| Geology | Program Review | |
| Physics & Astronomy | Program Review | |
| Philosophy | Program Review | |
| 2028 | School of Business | Accreditation (AACSB) |
| Economics | Program Review | |
| LLC | Program Review |