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Office of the Provost :  Academic Program Proposals : 

Approval Process for New Undergraduate Degree Programs

  1. Following review and receiving comments from deans in other Schools/College, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs will inform the College/School Dean that the proposal is approved, approved with modification(s), or rejected.
    Approximate Time Required:
    4-6 weeks
  2. Upon approval of the proposal, the proposal contact person will access the appropriate Regents-required documents for the Board of Regents approval process.
    The proposal contact person will work with others involved with the proposal to prepare the Regents-required documents.
    Documents/Forms:
    Regents-required documents for a new undergraduate degree program:
    Note: Please complete the Summary of Proposed Academic Program first, and email a copy of that document to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

    The Board of Regents requires that this form be submitted to the Board staff no less than 45 days prior to the submission of the full proposal to the Board. The Board staff, in turn, will notify all institutions about the proposed program in order for institutions with concerns, comments, or objections relating to the proposal to provide such concerns, comments, or objections in writing to the Board staff.

    The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs will direct OIRP to forward the Summary of Proposed Academic Program to the Board staff.
    Approximate Time Required:
    1-2 months
  3. Upon completion of the Regents-required documents, the College/School Dean will submit the proposal, which includes the Regents-required documents, with his/her endorsement, to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for final review and approval.
  4. Upon completion of the final review and approval, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs will forward the documents to the Assistant to the Provost, directing that they be sent to the Board office.
  5. The Provost Office will submit the completed proposal to the Board office via online system and email.
    Contact:
    Jenny Mehmedovic, Assistant to the Provost
    Approximate Time Required:
    Up to 2 weeks
  6. The Board Academic Affairs staff will review the proposal and possibly suggest revisions/modifications. If all Regents-required documents have been submitted and are in order, the program proposal is placed on the Council of Chief Academic Officers (COCAO) agenda.
    Contact:
    Barbara Romzek, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
    Approximate Time Required:
    Up to 1 month
  7. First reading - review and consideration by COCAO at its monthly meeting. A KU representative should be available at that meeting for questions.
    Contact:
    Danny Anderson/Barbara Romzek will serve as liaison between the board office and department representative for all Lawrence Campus proposals
    Approximate Time Required:
    1 month
  8. Second reading by COCAO and recommendation from COCAO to the Council of Presidents (COPS)
    Approximate Time Required:
    1 month
  9. Review and consideration by COPS at its next monthly meeting. Recommendation from COPS to the Board of Regents
    Approximate Time Required:
    1 month
  10. Approval/Disapproval by the Board of Regents at next monthly meeting.

    The Provost Office will send notice of Regents approval/disapproval to the College/School Dean(s), the program contact(s), the University Registrar, and University Relations.

    If the proposal is approved, the Assistant to the Provost will draft an email notice, attach the necessary program documents for the University Registrar and University Relations, and forward the notice on behalf of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

    If the proposal is disapproved, he Assistant to the Provost will draft an email notice and forward the notice on behalf of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

    Approximate Time Required:
    Up to 1 week

    NOTE: Official program approval is communicated via the Board of Regents minutes. The Assistant to the Provost will forward to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and the College/School Dean(s) the official approval when the Board minutes are available.

  11. New program begins
    Approximate Time Required:
    8-16 months to complete the entire process