New Degree Programs
Procedures for the development and approval of new degree programs are outlined in University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1038 and the Supplement to Campus Administrative Policy 1001. Degree program proposals must be reviewed at the campus level by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance and recommended by the Chancellor. At the system level, new degree proposals are reviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents before they are sent to the full Board of Regents for approval.
Following approval by the Board of Regents, the Vice President for Academic Affairs forwards the proposal to the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), which reviews the program to ensure it is consistent with the institution’s role and mission.
Note that public meetings of the full Board of Regents are held only five times each year (usually February, April, June, September and November) and meetings of the University Affairs Committee are scheduled approximately one month before these meetings. Proposals that have received campus approval must be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs several weeks before the scheduled meeting of the University Affairs Committee.
Before a proposal can be advanced to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, it must be approved by:
- Dean of the school/college offering the program
- For graduate degree proposals, the Graduate School Dean and Graduate Council
- Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
- Chancellor
The Supplement to Campus Administrative policy 1001 outlines the procedure for obtaining approval of a proposal at the campus level. Faculty who wish to submit a proposal for a new degree must work with the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs as well as the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance to develop the proposal.
Individuals are encouraged to seek support early in the proposal development process. Help is available for drafting the proposal, including the budget model. Contact Jill Taylor for more information.
Degree Program Discontinuance
The formal discontinuance of a degree program must be approved by the Board of Regents. Procedures are outlined in University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1015 and Campus Administrative Policy 1025.
Degree Program Name Changes
Proposals for renaming a degree program must be submitted by the dean of the school/college and include a) the justification of the name change; b) the impact on students and faculty; c) any reorganization of personnel and implications on budget; d) any approvals required from school or college committees; and e) any additional input from students currently enrolled in the degree, faculty or other constituents.
After evaluation by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, the proposal is forwarded to the Chancellor for approval. Following approval by the chancellor, documents supporting the name change are submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Colorado system who coordinates notification of the change to the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents.
See Campus Administrative Policy 1001.