New Degree Program Approval
Board of Governors’ Regulation 8.011 establishes criteria for new degree approval that address the overarching goals of the State University System relative to program quality, operational efficiency, accountability, degree production, and research. The regulation also establishes a broad policy addressing the process by which programs are approved for implementation at the university and system level, and requires each university to adopt program approval policies that are aligned with the Regulation.
Authority to implement new programs is a collaborative two-step process that devolves primary responsibility for academic and readiness review to the university board of trustees for all degree program levels. Authorization of bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees is the responsibility of the university board of trustees. Authorization of doctoral programs is the responsibility of the Board of Governors.
Board of Governors’ staff conducts compliance reviews for proposals for bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degree programs for alignment with state-level requirements before adding the new program to the official State University System Academic Degree Program Inventory. Board staff also provides technical assistance to university academic staff to ensure that baccalaureate programs meet the requirements for hours-to-degree, common prerequisites, general education, and articulation requirements, as appropriate. New degree proposals must be completed using the new program proposal template available from the university Provost’s office.
Additional Program Actions
Additional program actions include the temporary suspension of new enrollments, academic program termination, a request for specialized admissions, and a request for a bachelor’s degree program to exceed 120 credit hours. Information regarding these program actions are outlined in the following Board of Governors’ regulations.