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The Commons T+LC
  1. THE COMMONS
  2. For Educators
  3. Education Innovations
  4. Phase 3: Approval of Academic Programs and Courses

Approval of Academic Programs and Courses

Approval of Academic Programs and Courses

The approval process for new graduate programs, changes to existing graduate degree programs and graduate courses are described below. The Teaching + Learning Commons staff is available to assist you in the development of these proposals.

New Graduate Degree Programs

Proposals for new graduate programs need to be approved by the Academic Senate and the University of California Office of the President (UCOP).

Online Master’s Degree Programs Proposal Guidelines

In December 2019, the Graduate Council approved Guidelines for Proposals to Establish Online Master’s Degree Programs to assist departments with proposal preparations. All online Master’s degree program proposals submitted to Academic Senate are required to address the questions included in these guidelines under the Required Information section.

The procedures for the administrative review of new academic programs are described on the Undergraduate Education website (procedures for both graduate and undergraduate programs are explained.)  A flowchart of the approval process for graduate degree programs may be found on the Academic Senate website. 

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is the accrediting body for the western region of the United States. The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) requires that new graduate programs undergo a screening process to determine whether they involve a substantive change, in which case they require a WSCUC substantive change review.

Online Programs and Distance Delivery

A WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) substantive change review is required for all degree programs with greater than 50% online or distance delivery.

The following documents describe the WSCUS substantive change review process:

Changes to Existing Graduate Degree Programs

 Proposals requesting changes to an existing graduate degree program require Academic Senate approval. A flowchart of the approval process to change existing graduate degree programs is available on the Academic Senate website.

Graduate Courses

Proposals for new graduate courses need to be approved by the Academic Senate. A flowchart of the new graduate course proposal approval process is available on the Academic Senate website.

Online Courses

Proposals for online courses require supplementary information described on the Academic Senate website.

Summer Programs

Information to come