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Curriculum Management

Undergraduate Studies

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Checklist for New or Significant Changes to Academic Program Proposals

(Certificates, Degrees, Dual Degrees, Emphases, Minors)

Please review this information and then contact Katrina Green (katrina.green@utah.edu), for discussion, access and assistance.

DOWNLOAD NEW/SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM CHECKLIST

  • 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 122 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: 122 + 30 = 152 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.
  • 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 1st 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 1st 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.

 

Last Updated: 11/1/24