Academic Programs Forms & Templates

This page provides information to faculty members on proposing new academic programs, certificates, concentrations, or minors, as well as proposing new courses or changes to existing courses. Please consult with your Department Chair, Dean, or Associate Provost if you have any questions about these procedures.

New Academic Program Process Flowchart 

1. Proposals for new academic programs should use the New Academic Program Proposal Template (Microsoft Word).
2. All new program proposals should be submitted to the Academic Program Review Committee (APRC) for consultation. The APRC uses a New Academic Program Proposal Checklistto ensure that all program proposals are complete and have been vetted by appropriate University academic and administrative units.
3. Any new courses required to support a new academic program must follow the New Course Approval Process discussed below.
4. All new academic programs are approved by the department chair, college faculty council, and dean
5. All new graduate programs must also be reviewed and approved by the University Graduate Council and Associate Provost.
6. All new program proposals should be submitted to the Academic Program Review Committee for consultation.
7. The College Dean submits new programs for review by the University Deans' Council using the New Academic Program Proposal Template.

Certificate, Concentration and Minor Authorization Form

1. Proposals for new academic certificate programs follow the same procedures used for proposing new academic programs.
2. Academic certificate programs must be comprised of courses used in support of existing academic degree programs.
3. Any new courses required to support a new academic program must follow the New Course Approval Process discussed below.
4. Academic certificate programs may be offered to graduate students and senior undergraduate students by using 5000 level courses and ensuring that undergraduate students meet appropriate academic requirements.

New Course Approval Process Flowchart

1. All new courses are approved by the department chair, college faculty council, and dean
2. All new graduate courses must also be reviewed and approved by the University Graduate Council and Associate Provost
3. The College Dean submits new courses for review by the University Deans' Council using the New Course Authorization Form
4. Minor changes such as course description changes or prerequisite changes may be approved using the internal College process with approval by the Associate Provost. The Deans' Council should be informed of such changes as a courtesy, and other departments which may be affected by changes to prerequisites should also be consulted.

New Course Authorization Form (Microsoft Word)

1. Course descriptions should be clear, accurate, concise, and precise. Focus only on the content of the course. Avoid using unneeded preambles such as "In this course the student will...." or "This course provides...."
2. Follow the University Style Guide wherever possible. Course descriptions are not required to use complete sentences, but phrases must use proper grammar. Do not capitalize words unnecessarily.
3. Avoid implied performance guarantees such as "By the end of the course students will be able to ..."
4. Minor changes such as course description changes or prerequisite changes may be approved using the internal College process with approval by the Associate Provost. The Deans' Council should be informed of such changes as a courtesy, and other departments which may be affected by changes to prerequisites should also be consulted.