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6,040: Curricula-New Degrees, Majors, or Programs- University Approved Procedures

Last Revised: June 2009

New Program Pre-Proposal Process - Units interested in initiating a new degree, major, or program, or creating a new major and/or degree title from an existing program emphasis or specialization, should consult the appropriate dean(s) regarding program feasibility. Prior to preparing a complete new program proposal, the proposer(s) should forward a preliminary proposal IN BOTH HARD COPY AND ELECTRONIC FORMAT to the Provost's Office for consideration by the New Program Pre-Proposal Committee (NPPP). This preliminary proposal should be prepared using the NPPP Committee's Proposal Summary Form, which is located on the university website forms page under University Courses and Curricula. The form requests that the following items be addressed:

1. Proposed program
2. Brief description
3. Demonstrated need
4. How the program addresses needs identified in the university, college, and/or department strategic plan
5. Estimate of resources needed (personnel, library holdings, facilities, equipment)
6. Source(s) of funding

Upon review and recommendation by the NPPP Committee, the proposing department will receive a memorandum from the Provost's Office outlining how it should proceed. If authorized by the executive vice president & provost, a complete proposal for the new program should be prepared by the department. This proposal needs to include the NSHE New Academic Program Five-Year Budget Projection form and any University Courses and Curricula forms.

NSHE forms for consideration of new degrees, majors, or programs are available on the university website forms page: http://www.unr.edu/forms/.  In addition to the New Program Proposal Summary (Section 6,040), items to be addressed on the NSHE full proposal form include:

1. Description and purpose of the program
2. Degree or program objectives
3. Plan for assessment of degree or program objectives
4. Plan for assessment of student learning outcomes
5. Contribution and relationship to NSHE, the institution, college, department, or other UNR programs, and other related programs in the system
6. Evaluation of the need for the program
7. Curriculum details
8. Readiness to begin program
9. Resource analysis
10. Facilities and equipment required
11. Student services required
12. Consultant reports
13. Articulation agreements
14. Budget and enrollment projections
15. Summary statement

This proposal is submitted through the university's standard curricula approval process described in Sections 6,010 and 6,030.

If recommended for approval by the UCCC, the Provost's Office may seek review and recommendations from the Faculty Senate, Graduate Council, and other appropriate administrative units, and will make a recommendation to the president.  After receiving final recommendations, the president determines if the final proposal will be forwarded to the NSHE Academic Affairs Council and Board of Regents for approval, as described below.