Office of the Provost: Academic Programs

New Degree Programs The decision to begin a new program should be based on a careful assessment of anticipated student need or demand, sustainable faculty and staff resources, and impact on unit facilities. New programs generally require approval at all levels, from the department/unit, campus/college/school, university faculty governance, and university Board of Trustees, up through the state Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Because of the number of required approvals, it can take up to two years to establish a new program.

In addition to the Academic Program Action (APA) form, the proposing department/unit will need to prepare both a Program Planning Summary (PPS) and a full proposal in CHE format. Any program related to P-12 educator preparation requires a letter of endorsement from the Dean of the College of Education. Interdisciplinary program proposals should include letters of concurrence from all involved units.

CHE approvals occur on a quarterly cycle. Educator-preparation programs require additional approvals by the State Department of Education. Approvals from SACS may take as long as six months. New programs may only be marketed and assigned a major code by the University Registrar after CHE and SACS approvals have been received by the Provost’s Office.

General Approval Timeframe: Two years from submission to Dean’s Office to admission of first students.