New Degree/Major

Getting Started:

To propose a new bachelor's or master's degree or major, contact your school/college CIM representative to complete and submit a new program pre-proposal form. As the initiator, you must work with your local CIM representative to complete and submit the pre-proposal form. Once submitted, the pre-proposal is then routed to the proposing unit’s Dean’s office for consideration and approval before moving to the next step.

To propose a new doctoral degree, please contact Academic Affairs (apcc@ku.edu).

Feasibility

Once the pre-proposal receives Dean’s approval, a feasibility study is launched. The feasibility study will look at Lightcast data and evaluation by the KU Strategic Analysis & Feasibility team. A copy of the proposing unit’s most recent Academic Program Review report is also shared with this team for additional background. This team reviews the pre-proposal and Lightcast data for strategic alignment with KU’s mission and goals, risk analysis, outcomes and impact, intangible benefits, sustainability, and institutional prioritization. 

The Strategic Analysis & Feasibility team will communicate with the Dean of the school to share their feedback on the proposal and for the Dean to make a final decision with the additional information provided. If approved by the Dean, the pre-proposal is then routed to the CIM representative/initiator of the proposal. The full proposal will then be available to the initiator.

Curricular Buildout and School Governance

The initiator and faculty sponsor will complete the full program proposal. The program proposal will include the following pieces of information:

• Catalog degree plan
• Course list of curriculum required
• High impact practices
• Learning Outcomes
• Assessment Materials
• Anticipated costs
• Faculty profile
• Student profile

Assessment information is also submitted at this time within the CIM form. Included in the assessment materials are measurable degree-level learning outcomes, alignment of each learning outcome to Institutional Learning Goals where appropriate, defined levels of learning of achievement for each learning outcome, an assessment plan and uploading a curricular map. 

Once complete, the full proposal form is routed to the Academic Program Coordinating Committee (APCC). Evaluation rubrics are used as a guide to ensure equal and unbiased review. Completed rubrics are uploaded within the CIM system before being routed back to the initiator to share with the sponsoring faculty before sending on to College/School governance. The evaluation rubrics are available at Resources | Academic Affairs (ku.edu). As timelines vary, additional work is being done on the proposal by other units. 

• The Center for Teaching Excellence begins review of assessment materials for feedback.
• Academic Operations is alerted if the proposed degree leads to licensure.
• If the proposed concentration will be offered online or in a hybrid format, Academic Affairs (AA) will begin an initial Quality Matters (QM) review and notify Jayhawk Global of the upcoming program.

A faculty representative from the originating school or college is highly encouraged to attend the proposal’s read at APCC to provide a brief overview of the proposal and answer any related questions from the committee. The AD may serve in this capacity if the faculty member is not available.

After review by APCC, the proposal is returned to the initiator to connect with faculty sponsor regarding any feedback received from APCC. Once feedback is reviewed and any desired changes are made, the full proposal form is routed as outlined in the proposing unit’s college/school-level procedures. Academic Affairs will begin working with department on starting to complete the KBOR proposal form.

Policy Review and University Governance

Following review and support from the academic unit’s governance body, the proposal is routed to either Undergraduate Studies or Graduate Studies for policy review.

Once all policy reviews are complete, the proposal receives a CIP code assignment from AIRE as well as a final catalog and course review by the Office of the Registrar (OUR). If changes were requested by APCC, the program will return to APCC for a second read, and if not, then it will be sent to the Provost for a final determination to move forward.

KBOR/State Approval

After the Provost approves the program, the proposing unit will work with Academic Affairs to submit KBOR’s program proposal form to the Kansas Board of Regents. The proposal form is due approximately six weeks before the first meeting to be added to the agenda. New program proposal have a first and second reading from the Council of Chief Academic Officers (COCAO), one reading by the  Council of Presidents (COPS), and one reading by the  Board Academic Affairs Standing Committee (BAASC) before being sent to the full Board for approval. The approval process through the Board of Regents takes three-to-four months. Program representatives will be asked to attend COCAO and BAASC to present their programs. 

Dual degrees and dual accelerated degrees do not require KBOR or HLC approval since KU already has HLC and KBOR approval to offer both of the degrees

Final Steps

If approved by the Provost, Academic Affairs will notify the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and if needed, seek HLC approval for the new degree. 

Upon approval of the HLC, Academic Affairs will internally notify the following parties that the new concentration has received all approvals:

• College/School Dean
• Financial Aid
• Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions
• Undergraduate or Graduate Studies
• International Affairs
• Student Information Systems
• Office of the Registrar
• AIRE
• Business & Financial Planning

Each unit will undertake its requisite work to ensure the degree is available for enrollment and will notify the Dean’s Office when such set-up work is complete.

New degrees cannot be advertised until the college/school receives the final approval notice from Academic Affairs.