• Is the proposed program the best option for students? (What is your target student population, what is the end goal/purpose, why proposing?)

• Does the program duplicate an existing offering on campus?

• Can the program name be confused with another degree offered by the University? Does the name communicate the purpose of the program accurately to students?

• Is there a well-documented need for the program (i.e. market analysis, national trends and employment outlook – CIP code: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/default.aspx?y=55, letters of endorsement by industry, student surveys, documentation of inquiries)?

• How does the program fit with the UU mission?

• Is the program administratively based in an academic division which is approved to offer academic programs?

• Has the curriculum been developed and led by faculty members? What is the vote by program faculty?

• Is the proposal approved/endorsed by all relevant Dean(s)?

• Reference Part 6: Academics of https://regulations.utah.edu/info/policyList.php#academic and USHE R401 https://public.powerdms.com/Uta7295/tree/documents/2028740

• Are there well-defined admissions criteria (background, coursework, etc.)

Check credit hour requirements 

• • • BA/BS, BA/BS with emphases require 120 credit hours minimum.

    • Certificates require a minimum of 15 credit hours, maximum of 29 credit hours.

      • Standalone graduate certificates (students admitted as non-matriculated graduate students) are not eligible for federal financial aid (may affect projected student enrollment and funding).

      • Standalone certificates are not available at the undergraduate level.

      • Students who took a graduate certificate as a non-matriculated graduate student may count up to 15 graduate credit hours of the certificate towards a subsequent MS or PhD degree.

    • Master’s require 30 credit hours minimum.

    • PhD require 3 full years with a minimum of 14 thesis hours and 24 residency hours.

Dual/Combined Degree Rules

• • • • No double counting of courses between dual degrees (except for certificate hours).

      • Must meet minimum credit hours for each degree independently –

        • g. BS + MS: 120 + 30 = 150 hours minimum

        • g. MS + MS: 30 + 30 = 60 hours minimum

      • Must have an exit path which dovetails to a single degree if the student decides against completion of both degrees.

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  • Curriculum: list of courses, clearly identify required/elective/core/emphases
  • Consider if you want to specify courses needed or credits required.
  • Will new courses be needed for the program?
  • 4-year degree plans are required.
  • Curriculum progresses from introductory to advanced levels (account for transfer students).
  • Graduation standards.

• Must have a written list of expected learning outcomes.

• Must have a written plan for outcomes assessment:

  • Quantitative and qualitative

  • Direct and indirect measures

  • Formative and summative

• Course learning outcomes link to program learning outcomes.

• Program learning outcomes link to institutional learning outcomes.

• Does the degree name accurately reflect the curriculum and expected learning outcomes?

• Are all resources necessary for the program in place (support structures, faculty, staff, advisement, library and information resources): Agreements and endorsements for courses and resources necessary both inside and outside department.

  • Faculty

    • Number of full-time and part-time faculty dedicated to program clearly identified

    • Plans for faculty hires included as enrollment grows

    • Faculty workload expectations

  • Budget

    • Does the budget cover the 1^st three years of the program?

    • Can the Program income cover unfunded costs for projected number of students?

    • Includes areas such as; marketing, IT, library student support services, etc.

  • Marketing plan

  • Enrollment projections for 1^st three years

• Fully online programs need to be developed/coordinated with UOnline to meet State Authorization Requirements (SARA).

• How are students qualified and prepared for the online program?

• Plan for online program includes institutional requirements, program requirements, prerequisites and electives.

• How will culture be developed and sustained in the online environment?

• Any additional faculty or budget considerations needed?

• Setting up any out-of-state learning experiences with appropriate approvals.

• For a discontinuation or change of program, or change in administrative structure, make sure existing students are accommodated with a completion plan, or transitioning to a new program.

• Adding or changing a transcriptable emphasis to an existing degree requires a full degree proposal.