3.4.1: The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded (a) is approved by the faculty and the administration, and (b) establishes and evaluates program and learning outcomes.  Narrative:   All academic programs at The University of Texas (UT) at Arlington are approved by the faculty and administration, and program and learning outcomes have been established and are regularly evaluated.   All new degree program proposals and all proposals to amend existing programs must be reviewed and approved by both faculty committees and appropriate administrative officials at the departmental, college/school and university levels. Program proposals normally originate at the departmental level, where faculty identify and determine need for new programs in their disciplinary areas. Proposals are then developed according to Series 40307 (Academic Program Approval Standards) of the UT System Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents [1] and Sections 5.45, [2] 5.46 [3] and 5.48 [4] of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). All proposals for new programs and for changes to existing programs, including distance education programs, follow a prescribed process for discussion and approval.   Undergraduate Level:  At the undergraduate level, program proposals are developed by faculty according to Series 40307, [1] the University Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) [5] and the UT Arlington Undergraduate Curriculum Process. [6] The proposals are first approved by departmental faculty (or in the case of large departments, by a curriculum committee composed of faculty) and then by the department chair. Proposals are then considered by the college or school curriculum committee. All college and school committees are advisory to the dean of the respective unit (or his or her designee), who must also approve proposals for new degree programs, as well as course inventory changes. At the undergraduate level, program proposals approved by the college/school committees then proceed to the Committee for Undergraduate Curricula, a standing committee of the Undergraduate Assembly, for consideration. [7] This committee is comprised of representatives from each of the colleges and schools at the University and a student representative, and includes ex-officio members from the Office of the Provost, Student Enrollment Services, Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness and the Library. After approval by the Committee for Undergraduate Curricula, proposals are ultimately considered by the Undergraduate Assembly, which is comprised of members elected by the faculty and representatives of all academic units on campus, in addition to student members. [8] The Undergraduate Assembly makes recommendations concerning proposals to the Provost and the President. Once approved at all university levels, proposals are sent to the Board of Regents and to the THECB for system and state approval.    Graduate Level: At the graduate level, programs for new master’s and doctoral programs, as well as Certificate Programs, are developed in departments by faculty and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee [9] of the originating department, the department chair and the dean of the college/school according to the state, system and university guidelines outlined in Series 40307. [1] Proposals are then brought to the Graduate Assembly, [10] a body composed of members elected by the faculty of each college/school, for consideration and recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Upon approval by the Graduate Assembly and the Dean, proposals are forwarded to the Provost and President and then, upon their approval, sent to the Board of Regents and the THECB for system and state approval.   Program and Student Learning Outcomes Assessment:  UT Arlington establishes and evaluates program and learning outcomes via a variety of different methods to include: (a) program reviews, (b) the unit effectiveness process and  (c) performance measures. Program Review:  All degree programs at UT Arlington undergo an extensive program review every seven years as specified by HOP, Subchapter 6-1250, [11] and the UT Arlington Program Review Manual. [12] These program reviews are conducted by teams comprised of internal (from outside the college/school of the program under review) and external reviewers, and focus on the evaluation of the program and the degrees offered. Academic programs that are subject to rigorous review by external accreditation organizations [13] are exempt from the University’s academic program review process.    Unit Effectiveness Process:  All academic programs are required to develop a Unit Effectiveness Assessment Plan in which learning outcomes for their specific program are identified and assessment is mandated. Program learning outcomes are assessed on a biennial basis and included as part of the Unit Effectivenes Process Report, which is submitted at the end of each assessment period. [14] The Unit Effectiveness Process provides for the development and implementation of unit plans that flow from the Strategic Plan. These unit assessment plans help to ensure that all units are engaged in initiatives that address the institutional priorities and help achieve the University mission. Since the purpose of the planning/assessment activities is program improvement, units use the results of the assessment to develop proposals for improvement. Unit Effectiveness Plans are housed in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness, 402 Davis Hall. Units with degrees offered through distance education [15] are required to develop Unit Effectiveness Plans, as the Unit Effectiveness Process is the same process for on and off site programs. Units use assessment information to compare the performance of students at various sites to ensure that comparable levels of student learning are achieved. As evidence of this, UT Arlington provides the Unit Effectiveness Plans from distance education sites. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]