New Program - Major Approval Format

Note: Can also be significant changes to a Major - Degree Program (considered more than 3) requirement changes). New program proposals may require program announcements (see Academic Issues Committee Manual).

A one-page abstract in narrative must address the following:

1. Title and Sponsor
2. Need for the Program
3. Relationship to Department, School, and/or College
4. Summary of Curriculum
5. Implementation time frame
6. Resources required (staff, space)

Details

1. Title of the Proposal
2. Sponsor
3. Scope and size of Program
4. Need for Program (student demand, labor market need, prospective employers, availability at nearby institutions)
5. Requirements for admission and graduation
6. Suggested time and scale.
7. Resource requirements (library, space, and computing)
8. Recommended Library Resources: Provide a list of resources required to implement the program and any predicted resources for future needs. If resources are not adequate please specify how this issue will be addressed. The department's library liaison should be consulted.
9. Staffing (describe the new faculty that will be needed and the extent to which faculty from other programs will be used.)

Rationale

Specifically indicate the proposal's merits as they relate to the missions of the University and College the goals of the department.

Essence of the Program

1. Major goals of the Program
2. Specific objectives of the Program
3. Structure of Program
4. Identification of courses with brief description and credit hours for each.
5. Sequence of course work with description of major and general education requirements. Include an example of courses that would typically be taken term by term, pointing out any course prerequisites.
6. Describe to what extent courses from other units in the institution will be used and include evidence of agreement from those units to provide such services.
7. Compare and contrast the program with similar programs of high quality.
8. Administration (describe the administrative organization of the program with details of the specific role of each group and/or department)
9. Program Evaluation: Procedures that will be used to assess the success of the program in meeting its goals and objectives.

Results of Consultation

1. Letters of consultation with all departments that have similar programs, courses, or course titles MUST be included. If it is a graduate level program a letter or letters from the Graduate Council and Dean must be included. In addition, the proposal in this case should not be submitted until the requisite program announcement has been made.
2. List the names of persons from department and/or disciplines consulted. Attach a statement about the results (pro and con).
3. Attach copies of any written consultations.
4. Consulted parties may appear in person at the Open Hearing.

New Courses

1. Include proposals for new courses needed for the program. The program cannot be fully approved if New Course Proposals are not included.
2. Conditional approval can be granted to new programs requiring the development of new courses. Final approval will be authorized only after complete approval of all courses included in the program has been granted.

Library Resource

The Provost requires documentation of library resources for the purpose of providing a channel of communication between the library and faculty designing new courses/programs. The information will be used to assess the resources available in the library, and to identify resources the library should acquire to support the course/program. The information will also provide rationale for institutional support for library acquisitions. This form should be completed in a coordinated effort between the course sponsor(s) and the academic department liaison librarian.