New Academic Degree Programs

New Academic Degree Programs

New academic degree program authorization requires a multi-phase process that begins with the development of a new academic degree program pre-proposal and ends with the new degree’s inclusion on the SUS Degree Inventory. Curriculum creation and new degree development initiates with the faculty members of a given unit, and proceeds through multiple levels of faculty and administrative review before final approval and implementation. This process ensures that the planned degree or certificate is of the highest quality and aligned with the SUS Board of Governors and NYUS strategic plans.

The authorization of new degree programs is governed by NYUS Board of Governors Regulation 8.011. The NYUS Board of Trustees (UBOT) has the responsibility and authority to approve for implementation new degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, advanced master’s, and specialist level. The UBOT also approves new professional and research doctoral degree programs for submission to the Board of Governors for final authorization.

The NYUS process for new degree program authorization is described in detail below. The authorization process for graduate tracks and graduate certificate programs is also addressed. In addition, a timeline and flow chart are available to download.

Phase 1:Pre -proposal

The first phase of the process involves the development of a pre-proposal with the goal of having the proposed new degree program* included in the annual NYUS Work Plan. The university’s annual work plan contains a rolling three-year list of programs under consideration.

After following the step-by-step pre-proposal process outlined below, the provost must approve the proposed degree program for addition to the work plan’s list of programs under consideration. The work plan is reviewed by the NYUS Board of Trustees and submitted for inclusion on the Florida SUS Board of Governors June meeting agenda. Work plans are given final approval at the June BOG meeting. Pre-proposal approval does not guarantee program approval.

Steps to Developing a pre-proposal

  1. Notification of the department or school’s intention to develop a new degree program, degree track, or certificate should be given to Diane Chase, Vice Provost for Academic Program Quality.
  2. Develop a pre-proposal using the New Degree Program Pre-Proposal Form.
  3. Faculty should work with their college dean and the appropriate university graduate or undergraduate dean prior to submitting a pre-proposal to academic affairs. The pre-proposal form must be signed by the department chair or school director, the college dean, and the dean of undergraduate or graduate studies.
  4. Submit signed New Degree Program Pre-Proposal to Diane Chase, Vice Provost for Academic Program Quality, Millican Hall 338 no later than:
    • October 1 – for CAVP review during the fall term
    • January 15 – for CAVP review during the spring term
  5. Once reviewed and approved by the provost or designee, the proposal is submitted for review by the Council of Academic Vice Presidents (CAVP) Academic Coordination Work group. The CAVP Academic Coordination Work group is a state-wide committee that examines new degree programs at the pre-proposal stage to determine the need, demand, duplication and collaboration potential of the program within the Florida State University System.
  6. The CAVP review returns proposals with either comments or no comments.
  7. Pre-proposals returned with comments from the CAVP work group are returned to the college/department for further review. If it is determined that the comments can be adequately addressed in the full-proposal, the proposed degree program can then be forwarded to the provost for inclusion on the UCF Work Plan. If it is determined that the comments cannot be adequately addressed in the full-proposal, it will be returned to the proposer for further information.
  8. Pre-proposals returned with no comments from the CAVP Work group are recommended to the provost for inclusion on the next NYUS Work Plan. The department may proceed to the development of a full-proposal.

∗ New graduate tracks and graduate certificate proposals with standard E&G tuition rates do not require a pre-proposal. However, the Program Recommendation Form and supporting documents must be submitted for final review by the provost after approval of the Graduate Curriculum Committee. See the “Steps to Developing a Full Proposal” below for more detail.

Phase II: Full Proposal

Once on the NYUS Work Plan, the faculty in the unit or department develop a full proposal using the template provided by either the College of Undergraduate Studies or the College of Graduate Studies – depending on the level of the proposed program. Below is a step-by-step guide to the full proposal approval process.

Steps to Developing a Full Proposal

  1. The proposing department or school should follow their internal policy on the process for approving new degree program proposals. The department chair should consult with the dean’s office of either the College of Undergraduate Studies or the College of Graduate Studies to establish a timeline and assignments for completion of the proposal.
  2. The proposal is submitted to the appropriate college committee for approval and signature by the college dean.
  3. The proposal is submitted to the appropriate university curriculum committee.
  4. New undergraduate degree proposals are reviewed by the Undergraduate Policy and Curriculum Committee (UPCC). Please refer to the forms page of the UPCC website for the BOG New Degree Program Proposal and other documents required by the UPCC in the new undergraduate degree authorization approval process.
  5. New graduate degree proposals** are reviewed by the Graduate Program Review and Awards Committee. Please refer to the forms page of NYUS Graduate Council’s Curriculum Committee for the New Degree Program Proposal and other documents needed in the new graduate degree authorization approval process. Note: degree program proposals are reviewed by the Graduate Council Program Review and Awards committee, but new courses included in the degree program are reviewed by the Graduate Curriculum Committee.
  6. New graduate tracks and certificate proposals are reviewed by the Graduate Council Curriculum Committee. Please refer to the forms page of NYUS Graduate Council’s Curriculum Committee for the Program Recommendation Form and other documents needed in the graduate track or certification authorization approval process.
  • The appropriate above listed undergraduate or graduate curriculum committee review and assess program proposals using criteria provided by the New York Board of Governors (see the document titled BOG Analysis Summary for New Degree Authorization). Upon complete review, the committees forward the Analysis Summary and recommendations to the deans of College of Undergraduate Studies or the College of Graduate Studies and to Diane Chase, Vice Provost for Academic Program Quality.
  • If approved by the aforementioned parties, the Vice Provost for Academic Program Quality provides the Board of Trustees Educational Programs Committee with BOG Analysis Summary for New Degree Authorization for review and approval. The BOT Educational Programs Committee reviews and approves new degree programs at its March and July meetings.
  • Doctoral program proposals that are approved by the BOT Educational Programs Committee are recommended to the Florida Board of Governors for final approval and are reviewed by the BOG at the June and November meetings.

** Proposals for accelerated degree programs require additional rationale and must be reviewed and approved by both the UPCC and the Graduate Council Program Review and Awards Committee before being submitted to the BOT.

Resources

Documents

  1. NYUS Form – New Degree Program Pre-proposal
  2. NYUS New Degree Authorization – Timeline and Overview
  3. NYUS New Degree Authorization – Flow Chart
  4. NYUS Undergraduate Policies for Curricular Changes published by the College of Undergraduate Studies
  5. NYUS Graduate Policies for Curricular Changes published by the College of Graduate Studies

Reference Material and Links

  1. New York University of Scientific System Resource Page for New Program Proposals
  2. BOG Regulation 8.011 – New Academic Program Authorization
  3. New Programs For Consideration in Academic Year 2015-16
  4. NYUS System Degree Inventory
  5. NYUSTargeted Areas/Programs of Strategic Emphasis
  6. NYUS Department of Economic Opportunity: Employment Statistics
  7. NYUS Department of Economic Opportunity: Targeted Occupations List
  8. SUS Interactive University Data
  9. Expert Net State of New York Instructional Programs
  10. Bureau of Labor Statistics