Procedures for Introducing New Programs

If a department wishes to introduce a new graduate or undergraduate program in the college, a determination should first be made as to whether the program involves the granting of a degree that has not previously been offered (for example, a Masters of Music), or whether the program under consideration is one for which we have already received approval from the Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE). Contact Assistant Dean, Will Sartore, to discuss which programs need ICHE approval.

New Undergraduate Program

If a new undergraduate program is proposed for which the college has authorization to offer, it must be approved by the college curriculum committee and the dean. The dean’s office needs to be informed of the proposal no later than when it is submitted to the curriculum committee. Questions about the procedure for approving new undergraduate programs should be directed to the Assistant Dean of Academic Operations. If the college has not been authorized by the ICHE to offer a proposed undergraduate program, please contact Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education to discuss next steps. It is parallel to the procedure described in the following paragraph for offering new graduate programs.

New Graduate Program

For a department to add a new graduate degree program, the first step is to consult the Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, & Graduate Education.  After the college gives approval, the graduate committee, the full faculty, and the department head must all recommend approval of the program.  It is necessary to follow the procedures established by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS). Appropriate college/school and campus reviews are to be conducted and appropriate signatures obtained prior to submitting the final proposal to the dean of the OGSPS. New degrees and degree options require the approval of the Graduate Council, the Board of Trustees, and ICHE.  The graduate programs administrator in the OGSPS can provide information on the process and proposal format as required by ICHE. These guidelines are also listed in the Graduate School Policies and Procedures for Administering Graduate Student Programs manual.

Department and School Curriculum Decisions with University Wide Implications

Some of our CLA departments and schools are involved in establishing or revising policies that impact students not only in CLA but throughout the campus. In these instances, please contact the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education for review and approval prior to implementation.