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402-2 - Program Development and Revision Policy

Title:  Program Development and Revision Policy
Owner: Office of the Provost
Last Updated/Revised: 05/01/2024

Policy: The policy for developing or updating academic programs, specializations, and certificates provides a framework to ensure the continued relevance and timeliness of the University's curricula in addition to ensuring alignment with legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards. As part of the strategic plan, academics develop and implement a new program development roadmap. New program development proposals inform the program development roadmap and ensure resources are available for program implementation. Suggestions for new programs may come from university leadership, from faculty, or students.

Purpose: The purpose is to outline the process for developing and revising programs.

Procedure: Below is a list of steps that outline the new program development process after the proposal has been created and project plan timeline established. 

New Program Development Process

  1. College obtains faculty and Provost support to develop a new program development proposal.
  2. President's Council Review for initial support and viability.
  3. Curriculum Committee Approves.
  4. Faculty Senate Approves.
  5. University Council Approval.
  6. President’s Council Final Approval.
  7. Academic Affairs Committee of the Board Final Approval.
  8. Board of Trustees Approve.
  9. The new program is placed on the academic program development roadmap.
  10. College shares new program recommendation with Admissions and Marketing.
  11. College engages Accreditation teams.
  12. Internal financial analysis is conducted.
  13. Submit initial WASC Application.
  14. Await WASC Review Date (up to 3 months).
  15. After initial application is submitted, WASC will send review date confirmation.
  16. Complete Final Proposal (up to 3 months – in conjunction with “Await WASC Review Date”)
  17. While waiting for the review date, prepare final new program proposal for WASC.
  18. Submit Final Proposal.
  19. Received WASC Approval
  20. Federal Regulatory Submission
  21. Implementation Preparation
  22. The College works with other departments to implement new programs.
  23. State Regulatory Submissions (up to 3 months – in conjunction with “Implementation Preparation”)
  24. New Program Launch

Scope: Applied University-wide to all Colleges seeking to implement, revised, and remove programs.

Documents and Forms:

  • Program Launch Checklist (request from Executive Director, Academic Compliance and Reporting)
  • Change Program Form (Available within Curriculum Management system)
  • Change Program Workflow
  • Delete Program Form (Available within Curriculum Management system)
  • Delete Program Workflow
  • New Program Form (Available within Curriculum Management system)
  • New Program Workflow
  • New Program Development Process