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Creation or Termination of Academic Programs
Proposals for approval of new academic degree programs and new teaching certifications require Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) approval. Proposals to add majors program require approval of the Board of Governors. Newly approved majors will be reported to the Academic Affairs Unit in the Commission office by the University. Decisions to establish areas of emphasis, certificate programs, or baccalaureate minors may be made at the institutional Board of Governors level or may be delegated to the institutional president and do not require external approvals.
Definitions
Degree Program - A degree program is an area of study approved as such by the institution and the Commission and listed on the official Commission inventory of degree programs, e.g. English, Social Work, Physical Education. The degree is represented by the official degree designation, e.g., M.A. - Master of Arts, M.S. - Master of Science, A.S. - Associate of Science, etc. The degree program completed would be listed on the student's diploma.
Majors - A major is a field of study within an approved degree program, having its own curriculum. A degree program may have more than one major. An institution may elect to include the major(s) on the student's diploma.
Area of Emphasis - An area of emphasis is a specific subject area of study which has defined course offerings within an approved degree program and major. Normally, a minimum of six (6) and no more than twelve (12) credit hours would be expected for an area of emphasis within a graduate degree. Areas of emphasis completed would appear on the student's transcript, but would not be included on the diploma.
Certificate Programs - A certificate program (as distinguished from the one-year Certificate Degree Program offered by the community and technical colleges) is a coherent, specialized curriculum designed for students in search of a specific body of knowledge for personal/career development or professional continuing education. The certificate program is not attached to a degree program, although credit hours earned in a certificate program may be applied to a degree if they are deemed appropriate by the institution. The awarding of a certificate upon completion of the program is not contingent upon completion of a degree program. The certificate would appear on the student's transcript and an institution may issue an official certificate of completion.
Collaborative Master's Degree Programs - Any proposal to establish a collaborative master's degree program should be submitted jointly by the partnering institutions in the collaborative.
Timelines - Proposals to add new degree programs shall be submitted to the chancellor at least six months prior to the intended date of implementation for graduate/professional programs, and at least 60 days prior to the intended date for certificate programs.
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