Discontinue a Degree

Academic Action

Discontinue an existing associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program.

Curricular Requirements

Not applicable

Originator of Process

Interdisciplinary Executive Committee

Approval Process

CourseLeaf: Program Admin: Deactivate Program

Approvals/Recommendations Needed:

A – Approval Needed

R – Recommendation

I – Information Only

A	Initiating Interdisciplinary Executive Committee
R	Other Interdisciplinary Units
A	Dean(s)
A	Graduate Academic Affairs Council
A	Academic Affairs Council
A	University Committee/Faculty Senate
A	Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
A	Chancellor
I	Universities of Wisconsin Administration and Board of Regents

Approval Process

Approval Process Step 1

The chair of an Interdisciplinary Unit Executive Committee prepares a rationale for discontinuing the degree program and completes the Deactivate Program form in CourseLeaf . (The Associate of Arts and Sciences Executive Committee acts as the Unit Executive Committee for purposes of developing AAS degrees.)

Approval Process Step 2

If discontinuing the degree impacts units outside the jurisdiction of the initiating Executive Committee, the draft proposal must be reviewed by those Interdisciplinary Unit(s). The chair of the initiating Executive Committee is responsible for sending (electronically) a complete proposal to the chair of the unit(s) impacted. Each unit impacted must respond, in writing, to the request to review the proposal. As the proposal progresses through the approval process, it must include the written documentation from all of the unit(s) consulted.

Approval Process Step 3

The proposal may be revised based on the comments received. When a final proposal is approved by the initiating Executive Committee, the proposal and all supporting documentation is forwarded to the Dean for review and approval. In the case of AAS degrees, the proposal should be reviewed by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.

Approval Process Step 4

The Dean reviews the proposal and supporting documentation.

Approval Process Step 5

After review the Dean to the Academic Affairs Council (for bachelor’s degrees) or Graduate Academic Affairs Council (for master’s or doctoral degrees) for its review and approval.

Approval Process Step 6

The proposal is reviewed by the Academic Affairs Council or Graduate Academic Affairs Council. Approved proposals are forwarded to the chair of the University Committee for action by the Faculty Senate. Proposals that are not approved are returned to the dean.

Approval Process Step 7

The Dean is responsible for presenting the proposal to the Faculty Senate. If the Faculty Senate approves the proposal it is sent to the Provost for review and approval. If not approved by the Faculty Senate, the proposal is returned to the appropriate dean.

Approval Process Step 8

The Provost (or designee) reviews the proposal. If approved, it is forwarded to the Chancellor for final institutional approval. If not approved, the proposal is returned to the appropriate dean.

Approval Process Step 9

The proposal and recommendations are reviewed by the Chancellor, who approves or does not approve the discontinuation of the degree.

Approval Process Step 10

If approved by the Chancellor, the Provost notifies the initiating Executive Committee Chair, Dean, Registrar, and SOFAS that the degree program will be discontinued and the effective date of the discontinuation. Students who are currently enrolled in the degree program will be allowed a sufficient amount of time to complete the degree requirements and awarded the degree.

Approval Process Step 11

The Provost (or designee) notifies the UW Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Educational Innovation (APEI) via the Online Program Planning Form that modification of requirements to an existing degree program has been renamed and the effective date of the change.