Procedures for the Proposal and Review of New Graduate Programs

M33T

This section refers to the proposal of graduate programs that result in a new degree, previously not offered by the University that require significant financial resources, and/or that require a substantive change prospectus for Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Units unsure of whether the curricular process below applies to their new proposed program should consult with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs who will make this determination.

The Proposal Form for new programs may be found on the Curriculum Committee site.

The formal definition of a credit hour may be found here. Please consult it when proposing a course with a nonstandard meeting schedule and address it within your proposal.

New graduate program must be consistent with the Graduate Mission of the University and the graduate program vision.

They should originate from department-wide action or from administration in consultation with school/college and departmental leadership.

Phase 1 - New Graduate Program Prospectus

A new graduate program prospectus should include:

• A feasibility study demonstrating the viability of the proposed program addressing enrollment demands and market area, staffing, facilities, library and other resources, budget projections, and impact on undergraduate programs
• A statement justifying the program as related to the graduate mission statement
• A listing of the degree(s) offered and an outline of degree requirements

The prospectus proposals for a new graduate program should be submitted to the following groups for approval in the order listed below:

• Curriculum Committee (School or Division-Based) (Proposals involving more than one school or division should be reviewed by all relevant school-or division-based curriculum committees.)
• Graduate Council
• Curriculum Committee (University)
• The faculty

The prospectus, if approved, should then be submitted to the President for consideration by the Board of Trustees. If the prospectus is approved, the process moves to Phase 2.

Phase 2 - New Graduate Program Curriculum Proposal

If the Board approves the new graduate program prospectus, then a complete curriculum proposal should be developed and submitted using the Proposal Form for new programs found on the University Curriculum Committee site. This includes:

• A listing of the degree (s) offered and the associated degree requirements
• A syllabus for each course that includes catalog number, title, description and semester hours credit
• A statement regarding anticipated sequencing of course offerings for the program and staffing implications

The curriculum proposal should then be submitted to the same groups as in Phase 1 for approval in the order listed below:

• Curriculum Committee (School or Division-Based) (Proposals involving more than one school or division should be reviewed by all relevant school-or-division-based curriculum committees)
• Graduate Council
• Curriculum Committee (University)
• The faculty

If approved, the curriculum proposal should then be submitted to the President for consideration by the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees approval is the last requirement before implementation including, as appropriate, submission to SACSCOC.