Graduate Programs

M34Z

M24W

NOTE:  Proposers should follow the process articulated in M33T for a new graduate program that meets any of the following conditions:  (a) results in a new degree, previously not offered by the University; (b) that requires significant financial resources; (c) requires a substantive change prospectus for Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Proposal Forms for new courses and other curricular changes to existing programs may be found on the University Curriculum Committee site.

The formal definition of a credit hour may be found here. Please consult it when proposing a course with a nonstandard meeting schedule and address it within your proposal.

1. Discussions regarding curriculum change proposals will involve the Department Chair, Program Director, and school/department faculty as appropriate.
2. Development of curriculum change proposals will involve the respective Dean of the school or college, the Department Chair and/or the Program Director as appropriate; and designated faculty.

3. Curriculum and program proposals will be considered by a designated school- or division-based committee. The Department Chair, Program Director, or other interdisciplinary Proposer (see below), with support and documentation provided by the department faculty and the Dean of the school or college, will attend meetings when the proposal is discussed.
4. The designated school- or division-based committee may vary (in name and composition) according to the organizational structure and size of the school, division, or department that originates the proposal. However, the committee structure and process must comply with any applicable requirements of accrediting agencies. Some examples of current models are shown below:

• Love School of Business: The school-based curriculum committee is designated to review and approve graduate curriculum and program proposals. For proposals originating from a department, approval of the department faculty is required before review by the school-based curriculum committee.
• Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education: The Teacher Education Committee is designated to review and approve graduate curriculum and program proposals. Secondary approval by the school-based curriculum committee is not required for graduate program proposals. For the M.Ed. program, the Teacher Education Committee is also required to approve any curriculum or program changes prior to the school-based curriculum committee approval.

5. For changes to interdisciplinary graduate programs involving more than one school or division, faculty in the program will be designated to discuss and develop the proposal. The principal Proposer, generally a program Director (or equivalent title), fulfills the role of Department Chair in this process, and the Proposers' academic Dean represents the administration as the proposal moves forward for consideration. Changes to such a program should be reviewed by all relevant school or division Curriculum Committees.

6. On approval by the Dean and school or division-based curriculum committee (s), curriculum and program proposals will be forwarded to the Graduate Council for consideration. The proposal(s) must be submitted to the Chair of Graduate Council 14 days before the next scheduled meeting of the Graduate Council to be listed on the meeting agenda. The respective Proposer and academic Dean, will be invited to the Graduate Council meeting to discuss the proposal(s).
7. On approval by the Graduate Council, curriculum proposals will be submitted by the sponsoring department to the Office of the Registrar and can be revised only to reflect catalog copy. 

8. The Provost' designee on the Graduate Council serves as a liaison to the University Curriculum Committee and can, after consulting with the Chairs of Graduate Council and the University Curriculum Committee, recommend a subsequent review by the University Curriculum Committee in cases where a proposal may significantly impact the undergraduate academic program or curriculum.

M33T

This section refers to the proposal of graduate programs that result in a new degree, previously not offered by the University that require significant financial resources, and/or that require a substantive change prospectus for Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Units unsure of whether the curricular process below applies to their new proposed program should consult with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs who will make this determination.

The Proposal Form for new programs may be found on the Curriculum Committee site.

The formal definition of a credit hour may be found here. Please consult it when proposing a course with a nonstandard meeting schedule and address it within your proposal.

New graduate program must be consistent with the Graduate Mission of the University and the graduate program vision.

They should originate from department-wide action or from administration in consultation with school/college and departmental leadership.

Phase 1 - New Graduate Program Prospectus

A new graduate program prospectus should include:

• A feasibility study demonstrating the viability of the proposed program addressing enrollment demands and market area, staffing, facilities, library and other resources, budget projections, and impact on undergraduate programs
• A statement justifying the program as related to the graduate mission statement
• A listing of the degree(s) offered and an outline of degree requirements

The prospectus proposals for a new graduate program should be submitted to the following groups for approval in the order listed below:

• Curriculum Committee (School or Division-Based) (Proposals involving more than one school or division should be reviewed by all relevant school-or division-based curriculum committees.)
• Graduate Council
• Curriculum Committee (University)
• The faculty

The prospectus, if approved, should then be submitted to the President for consideration by the Board of Trustees. If the prospectus is approved, the process moves to Phase 2.

Phase 2 - New Graduate Program Curriculum Proposal

If the Board approves the new graduate program prospectus, then a complete curriculum proposal should be developed and submitted using the Proposal Form for new programs found on the University Curriculum Committee site. This includes:

• A listing of the degree (s) offered and the associated degree requirements
• A syllabus for each course that includes catalog number, title, description and semester hours credit
• A statement regarding anticipated sequencing of course offerings for the program and staffing implications

The curriculum proposal should then be submitted to the same groups as in Phase 1 for approval in the order listed below:

• Curriculum Committee (School or Division-Based) (Proposals involving more than one school or division should be reviewed by all relevant school-or-division-based curriculum committees)
• Graduate Council
• Curriculum Committee (University)
• The faculty

If approved, the curriculum proposal should then be submitted to the President for consideration by the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees approval is the last requirement before implementation including, as appropriate, submission to SACSCOC.