Program Approvals

Is this a new degree program request?

The request will require System and THECB approvals and often SACSCOC approval.

Is this a change to an existing degree program?

The request requires System approval and THECB approvals, and if it is considered a substantive change, SACSCOC approval.

Is this a change to the CIP code of an existing degree program?

The request will require System and THECB approvals, as long as the change does not significantly (or otherwise) change the focus of the degree or the target students.

In some instances, the request may require a new program proposal. Consult the Department of IER before proceeding.

Is this an increase or decrease of the minimum semester credit hour requirement of a program?

Depending on the extent of the change, a change in SCH requires System approval and THECB notification. If the changes are extensive, (SACSCOC deems 20%-25% of the hours extensive), then the request may require a new program proposal and a modified prospectus.

Is this a change to the title of an existing degree program?

The request requires System approval and THECB notification.

Is this a request to create a new stand-alone certificate program?

If over 20 SCH (undergraduate) or 15 SCH (graduate), requires THECB approval; may require SACSCOC approval.

If you are interested in creating a graduate level certificate, please contact Alison.Soeder@tamuc.edu and she will work with you and the the Graduate School on the potential creation and implementation of the certificate.

30 Day Notification Requirement for New Degree and Certificate Requests:

Before a new program or certificate may be proposed, an institution must notify other public institutions within a 50 mile radius of the teaching site of the proposal at least 30 days prior to submitting it to THECB.  Notification may be accomplished through a letter or email to the chief academic officers of the institutions.  If any objections are received, the institution making the request must resolve those objections.  If the institution cannot resolve the objections, then it may ask the Assistant Commissioner of the Academic Quality and Workforce Division to mediate the dispute.  Once any objections have been resolved, the institution may submit the proposal to the Board along with documentation showing that notification was given to nearby public institutions and that the objections, if any, were resolved. 

Access the Forms Needed on the system website.

Is this a request to simultaneously propose a new program that will also be offered electronically (online), off-campus, or blended (a program in which more than 50% but less than 85% of the program occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not in the same place)?

The request requires System, BOR, and THECB approvals; requires SACSCOC approval if program is not identical to that offered on campus.

Is this a request to offer an existing program, which has already been approved for off-site delivery, at an additional approved off-campus location?

The request requires System approval and THECB notification only; requires SACSCOC approval if program is not identical to that offered on-campus.

If the off-site location is a MITC, we must have MITC board approval, too.

Is this a request to propose an existing program in a blended or hybrid format?

(Blended/hybrid mode of delivery is when more than 50% but less than 85% of the program is offered when the students and instructor(s) are not in the same place at an existing off-campus location, already approved for 50-100% of a program.)

This request requires System and THECB approvals; requires SACSCOC approval if program is not identical to that offered on-campus.

If at a MITC, must have board approval, too.

Is this a request to propose an existing program online?

When 50% or more of a program is offered online, System approval must be obtained and THECB notification provided; SACSCOC approval is required if the program is not identical to that offered on-campus.

THECB defines a fully online program as one which may have mandatory face-to-face courses totaling no more than 15 percent of the total curriculum.

Is this a request to offer part of a program off-campus or online?

50% or more of a program requires System approval and THECB notification.

50-mile Notification Requirements:

Programs that are to be delivered in a blended format or fully off-campus face-to-face, require prior notification to all institutions of higher education, including Higher Education Centers, within a 50-mile radius of the proposed delivery site, with a copy of such notification being provided to System and THECB. Notification is required at least 60 days prior to the proposed program implementation date. Once notified, institutions have 30 days to file an objection. Objections are made via email to the offering institution, with copies to the applicable THECB staff.

Forms

Access the Forms Needed on the system website.

Administrative changes involve the creation of or changes to an academic administrative unit. Administrative changes include:

1. The creation of new administrative units - colleges, schools, divisions, departments.
2. Changes to existing administrative units such as a name change, consolidation of existing units, or movement of a program into another unit.

All administrative change requests require submission through System office and notification of THECB.

Is this a change to the name of a college?

Requires Board of Regents approval.

Is this a request to create a new college?

Requires Board of Regents approval.

Is this a request to consolidate a college?

Requires Board of Regents approval.

Is this a request to eliminate a college?

Requires Board of Regents approval.

Is this a request to change the name of a department?

Requires approval by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs but does not require BOR approval.

Is this a request to move an existing degree program(s) to another department or college?

Requires approval by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs but does not require BOR approval.

Is this a request to move a department to another college?

Requires approval by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs but does not require BOR approval.

Is this a request to create a new department?

Requires approval by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs but does not require BOR approval.

Is this a request to create another type of academic unit (e.g. a school)?

Requires approval by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs but does not require BOR approval.

Exception

If a new administrative unit is to be created that offers programs that are not closely related to currently approved programs at the institution, it requires Board of Regents approval.

Forms 

Access the Forms Needed on the system website.

When considering the creation of a center or institute, please refer to A&M-Commerce procedure 11.02.99.R0.01 Centers and Institutes.

System Requirements for a New Center or Institute

• List of Degrees

• List of Online and Off-Site Degree Program

• Comprehensive List of Academic Programs

• THECB Program Inventory

University and A&M System Policies:

• 03.02.99.R0.01 Academic Approval Procedure for Programs
• 03.02.99.R0.03 Programatic and Administrative Substantive Change Approvals Process (SACSCOC)
• 11.02 Creation of Centers and Institutes
• 11.10 Academic Program Requests

Presented by Academic Impressions:

• Creating a Business Case for New Academic Programs

• Resources for Creating a Business Case for New Academic Programs

Presented by SACSCOC:

• Determining Significant Departure
• What Not to Report
• How to Write a Prospectus
• Managing Off-campus Instructional Sites
• Dual Enrollment and Instructional Sites