New Program Approval Process
New Program Approval Process
Date Adopted: April 2024
Next Review: April 2026 (2 years)
Office Responsible: Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Overview
All academic units proposing a new academic program, whether it is a new degree, a new major in a degree, a new concentration, etc. must carefully review associated academic policies and requirements in addition to adhering to the new program approval timelines outlined below.
As appropriate, consult the Undergraduate Study, Graduate Study section of the catalog, and review Developing Credit Bearing Certificate Programs Policy for certificates, Accelerated Master’s Program Policy for joint/dual graduate degrees.
Required Documentation
All new program proposals must adhere to the MASU proposal submission guidelines.
| Program Type | Proposal | Budget Template | Assessment Plan | Catalog Text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Major | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Concentration/Track | ✓ | |||
| Minor | ✓ | |||
| Dual/Joint Programs | ✓ |
Approval Process
- Meeting with the Enrollment Management Team to discuss the new program concept
- Share the program proposal draft with academic unit faculty for feedback
- Finalized proposal review and approval at academic unit level and by Dean
- Enter the program information into Curriculog
- Provost review and approval with input from Academic Assessment and Policy Committee (AAPC) and University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
- Vice Provost works with program faculty to address committees’ feedback
MASU review and approval - Board of Regents approval for some programs
HLC approval for some programs - Work with the Enrollment Management Team to start recruitment, marketing, catalog editing, setting up DegreeWorks, and signing of articulation agreements involving the new program
Work with CGE File I-17 if program accepts international students requiring visas
Important Links
Approval Timelines
For a Fall 2025 New Program Start Date
Example #1 – Targeting an October 2024 MASU Meeting Review
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Meeting with Enrollment Management Team (and Center for Global Engagement, if applicable) to discuss the new program concept; Share the program proposal draft with academic unit faculty for feedback | Meetings with this team will not formally start until the fall semester; however, you are encouraged to contact the Enrollment Management Team and Center for Global Engagement for consultation prior to submitting a new program proposal for the October MASU meeting cycle. |
| Academic unit-level review and dean approval Tentative (pending Registrar input): New program proposal is entered into Curriculog. | By May 3, 2024 |
| Provost review and approval with input from Academic Assessment and Policy Committee (AAPC) and University Curriculum Committee (UCC) (Both committees provide input to the Provost via Vice Provost for Academic Affairs by May 31, 2024. Vice Provost will work with program faculty to address feedback.) | By August 30, 2024 |
| MASU review and approval To submit proposal for October 2024 meeting: The Proposal must be submitted to VPAA’s Office by September 3, 2024 The proposal will be submitted to MASU by September 9, 2024 If approved, the program will be included in the 2025-2026 Catalog | |
| Marketing for new program | Marketing starts after MASU approval |
Example #2 – Targeting a January 2025 MASU Review
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Meeting with Enrollment Management Team (and Center for Global Engagement, if applicable) to discuss the new program concept; Share the program proposal draft with academic unit faculty for feedback | By September 20, 2024 |
| Academic unit-level review and dean approval Tentative (pending Registrar input): New program proposal is entered into Curriculog. | By October 18, 2024 |
| Provost review and approval with input from Academic Assessment and Policy Committee (AAPC) and University Curriculum Committee (UCC) (Both committees provide input to the Provost via Vice Provost for Academic Affairs by November 11, 2024. Vice Provost will work with program faculty to address feedback.) | By November 22, 2024 |
| MASU review and approval To submit proposal for January 2025 meeting: Proposal must be submitted to VPAA’s Office by November 25, 2024 Proposal will be submitted to MASU by December 2, 2024 If approved, the program will be included in 2025-2026 Catalog | |
| Marketing for new program | Marketing starts after MASU approval |
Catalog Deadlines:
- 11/10/2024: To get a new fall program into the Catalog when it is published in April 2025
- 4/8/2025: To add a new fall program late
For a Winter 2026 New Program Start Date
Example #3 – Targeting an April 2025 MASU Review
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Meeting with Enrollment Management Team (and Center for Global Engagement, if applicable) to discuss new program concept; Share the program proposal draft with academic unit faculty for feedback | By November 22, 2024 |
| Academic unit level review and dean approval Tentative (pending Registrar input): New program proposal is entered into Curriculog. | By December 20, 2024 |
| Provost review and approval with input from Academic Assessment and Policy Committee (AAPC) and University Curriculum Committee (UCC) (Both committees provide input to the Provost via Vice Provost for Academic Affairs by January 31, 2025. Vice Provost will work with faculty to address feedback.) | By February 21, 2025 |
| MASU review and approval To submit proposal for April 2025 meeting: The proposal must be submitted to VPAA’s Office by February 24, 2025 The proposal will be submitted to MASU by March 3, 2025 Proposed programs for a Winter 2026 start date may be added late to the 2025-2026 Catalog by May 6, 2025 | |
| Marketing for new program | Marketing starts after MASU approval |
Example #4 – Targeting a June 2025 MASU Review
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Meeting with Enrollment Management Team (and Center for Global Engagement, if applicable) to discuss new program concept; Share the program proposal draft with academic unit faculty for feedback | By November 15, 2024 |
| Academic unit level review and dean approval Tentative (pending Registrar input): New program proposal is entered into Curriculog. | By March 21, 2025 |
| Provost review and approval with input from Academic Assessment and Policy Committee (AAPC) and University Curriculum Committee (UCC) (Both committees provide input to the Provost via Vice Provost for Academic Affairs by April 4, 2025. Vice Provost will work with faculty to address feedback.) | By April 18, 2025 |
| MASU review and approval To submit a proposal for June 2025 meeting: Proposal must be submitted to VPAA’s Office by April 21, 2025 Proposal must be submitted to MASU by April 28, 2025 If submitted for June meeting, the program will go into 2025-2026 Catalog late which will impact the development of marketing and advising materials | |
| Marketing for new program | Marketing starts after MASU approval |
Catalog Deadlines:
- 5/6/2025: To add a winter program late
For questions about the new program approval process, please contact the Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.