Academic Program Proposal

The Provost's office has defined the following process to be followed for the approval of a new academic program:

• Academic Department institutes program proposal [Academic Program Approval Form (WORD File)]; Guidelines for New Program Approvals (PDF File)
• Department and school/college approves program proposal
• Proposal forwarded to either the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education for a graduate program or the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education for an undergraduate program
• Approved program forwarded to Vice Provost for Academic Administration for circulation to the Council of   Deans and placement on the UConn Board of Trustees agenda
• Academic Affairs Committee of the UConn Board of Trustees approves program
• Board of Trustees approves program
• Provost's Office submits BOT approved program for Department of Higher Education (DHE) approval.   This includes circulation of the program summary to all institutions of higher education in Connecticut.   The two step approval is as follows:
  • Evaluation of the program by DHE Advisory Committee on Accreditation (This Committee is comprised of academic officers/faculty representatives from institutions of higher education in the state)
  • Recommendations of Licensure of the program by the DHE Board of Governors Academic Affairs Committee; followed by the DHE Board of Governors approval of the program
• Two years after Licensure, program is reconsidered for final Accreditation. Programs generally come up for Accreditation two years after they were granted Licensure. Note: program cannot award degrees unless it has been Accredited.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Suman Singha, Vice Provost for Academic Administration, at (860) 486-4037 or by e-mail at suman.singha@uconn.edu

Updated: January 17, 2006