Limited Modification of Degree Requirements

Academic Action

Modification of less than 30% of an existing major’s course and/or non-course requirements. Modifications can include supporting or upper level course requirements or changes in a combination of these categories.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum of 30 credits including 24 at the upper level.

Originator of Process

Interdisciplinary or Disciplinary Executive Committee

Approval Process

CourseLeaf: Program Admin: Edit Program

Approvals/Recommendations Needed:

A – Approval Needed

R – Recommendation

A	Initiating Executive Committee
R	Other Interdisciplinary/Disciplinary Executive Committee(s)
A	Dean(s)
R	Registrar
R	Library
A	Graduate Academic Affairs Council
A	Academic Affairs Council
A	Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Approval Process

Approval Process Step 1

The chair of an Interdisciplinary or Disciplinary Executive Committee responsible for an existing major prepares a proposal to modify the requirements and completes the Edit Program form in CourseLeaf . The faculty committee may consult the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL), Graduate Studies, and/or other institutional offices for advice on program development.

Approval Process Step 2

If the proposed modifications involve any courses or other major requirements that are outside the jurisdiction of the initiating Executive Committee, the proposal must be reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Unit(s) that will be impacted by the change in requirements. The chair of the initiating faculty committee is responsible for sending (electronically) a complete proposal to the chair of the unit(s) impacted. As the proposal progresses through the approval process, it must include 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 bachelors or master’s degrees, the proposal is reviewed by the appropriate dean(s). In the case of AAS degrees, the proposal should be reviewed by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.

Approval Process Step 4

The dean (or Associate Provost) reviews the proposal and supporting documentation and then forwards all to the Registrar and the Library for review and recommendation.

Approval Process Step 5

After review and recommendation or non-recommendation by the Registrar and the Library, the Dean has the option of approving the proposal, not approving the proposal, or requesting changes to the proposal. Approved proposals and supporting documentation are then routed to the appropriate governance committees. The Academic Affairs Council or the Graduate Academic Affairs Council should be the last governance committee to review the proposal.

General Education Council
- If the degree is an Associate degree, the GEC may approve the proposal.
- If the degree is a Bachelor’s degree and involves changes to the institution’s general education requirements, the GEC makes a recommendation on the proposal.
Academic Affairs Council – if the proposal involves a bachelor’s degree, the AAC may approve the proposal.
Graduate Academic Affairs Council – if the proposal involves a master’s degree, the GAAC may approve the proposal.

Following the AAC or GAAC review, an approved proposal is forwarded to the Provost. If not approved by the AAC or GAAC, the proposal is returned to dean.

Approval Process Step 6

The proposed degree modification with supporting documentation is reviewed by the Provost. If approved by the Provost, the chair of the initiating Executive Committee, Dean, Registrar, and SOFAS are notified that the degree program requirements have been modified and the effective date of the change. If not approved by the Provost, the proposal is returned to the dean.