Academic program approval and review in postsecondary institutions and in state systems are discussed, based on a 1979 survey of postsecondary institutions. Based on responses from 68 percent of 1,082 institutions, it was found that formal program-approval procedures are increasingly utilized (in their order of frequency) in independent four-year liberal-arts colleges, private junior colleges, and proprietary schools. Only a few institutions (mostly small private colleges), have no procedures. Information is provided on major purposes in conducting internal review of proposed new programs, criteria for program approval, persons involved in new program approval, and the academic program development procedure. Additional considerations include: practices and outcomes of system- and state-level approval, changes in program-review activities, reasons for system- and state-level program reviews, basic principles of good program review and the steps for implementing them, and controversial issues surrounding program review. Appended are brief descriptive summaries of program approval in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Washington, and summaries of internal review at the University of Iowa, California Community Colleges, and Broome Community College (New York). (SW)