FAQs about Degree/Program Development Assistance - What are the processes involved in planning and establishing a degree program?
The processes are outlined on a checksheet for each degree level. See Approval Process and Checklist under each degree level icon. Should the unit need assistance with the process or the documents in involved, see contact individuals, below.
- If the unit plans to offer the program through distance education, what is the process?
If a new program is proposed, follow the on-campus approval checksheet, but also access the DE icon on this website. There are additional appendices to be completed for proposed programs to be offered through DE. Should the unit need assistance with the process or the documents in involved, see contact individuals, below.
- Who in the Office of Academic Programs assists with the program development process?
Sharon Bland, blands@mail.ecu.edu or 328-2344
- Who in the Division of Continuing Studies assists with the DE program development process?
John Connelly, connellyj@mail.ecu.edu or 328-9193
- Who assists with student credit hour calculations and budgeting?
Kris Smith, smithk@mail.ecu.edu or 328-9492
- What is the time frame involved in proposing an academic degree program?
Doctoral and First Professional (with link to text)
Master’s (with link to text)
Bachelor’s (with link to text)
Documents - What documents are required in the planning process?
The planning process begins with the faculty in an academic unit. There are three documents that go forward from the faculty to the collaborative team in the second step of the process:
Appendix A: Notification of Intent to Plan (Bachelor’s, Master’s, CAS) or
Appendix B: Request for Authorization to Plan (Doctoral or First Professional)
Assessment of Readiness, including Faculty Info Sheets
Academic Management Information Report
- What documents are required in the request to establish process?
The process for establishing a degree program begins with the faculty in an academic unit. There are two basic documents that go forward from the faculty to the collaborative team in the second step of the process:
Appendix C: Request for Authorization to Establish (All degree levels)
Updated Version of the Assessment of Readiness, including Faculty Info Sheets
- Where do I find the appendices listed above?
The appendices and information on other required documents are included in the drop-down box under each degree level on this website.
- What is an Academic Management Information Report?
This report is compiled from the IPRE website. For more information, see AMIR at the appropriate degree level drop-box on this website.
- How are Faculty Information Sheets submitted?
The Faculty Information Sheets are a part of the Assessment of Readiness. A sheet should be completed for each faculty that will be involved in the planning and/or teaching of the proposed degree program. The sheet for each faculty member may be included in the file with the assessing readiness document or compiled into one electronic file.
- In what format are documents submitted?
All documents must be prepared and submitted electronically. In some instances, there may be a high number of faculty involved in the program and the Faculty Information Sheet file may be too large to send via e-mail. If this occurs, the file has to be submitted on CD to all involved in the process outlined on the checksheets.
Document Completion - How are school/college and department completed if the proposed program is a collaborative endeavor between two units?
Collaborative endeavors can be addressed in the narrative portion of the forms. For administrative purposes, including assignment of the CIP code, only one college/school and department should be listed on the form.
- What is a CIP code and how is it determined?
Each degree and certificate program is classified by the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), a schema that provides various information about the degree. (http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/2002165_2.pdf.)
The first two digits of the code indicate the discipline division. Digits three through six indicate the discipline specialty area. Seven through nine indicate the degree level; and, ten through twelve indicate a professional licensure or state/national certification area, or that there is more than one degree at the same level with the CIP code of the given degree. If the unit needs assistance with determining the appropriate CIP code, academic programs staff are available for consultation.
- Is there a standardized list of degree titles and abbreviations from which to choose?
No. The degree title will be listed in the appropriate university catalog as listed on the documents and approved at UNC-OP.
There is not a standardized list of degree abbreviations. The student’s diploma will reflect the degree abbreviation as listed o the documents and approved at UNC-OP. If the unit proposing the degree opts to use a degree acronym that has not previously been used in the UNC system (link to http://ias.ga.unc.edu/%7Epassess/api/#academic), the unit provides a justification for the new acronym. This justification may include statements of support from the American Council on Education or the accrediting body of the proposed program or another professional group in the discipline. This support should be referenced in both the planning and establishing documents.
- What is a “substantive change” by SACS standards?
If the proposed program is at a higher level than those previously offered by the institution (not applicable at ECU) or if more than 50 percent of the proposed program is offered by ECU on the campus of another institution, it is considered to be a substantive change and SACS must be notified and approval received from SACS prior to implementation of the program.
- How does the unit determine the proposed dates requested on the planning and establishing documents?
See the checksheet and the timeframe for the degree being planned. Allow ample time for campus consideration and approval of the proposal. Remember that prior to advertising a degree program, ECU must receive authorization to establish; therefore, the proposed establishment date should be one semester (or summer) prior to the semester in which student enrollment is anticipated.
- When are new courses and degree requirements for a proposed degree processed?
As the unit prepares the planning document (appendix A or B) for a master’s, certificate of advanced study, or doctoral/first professional program, proposals for new courses may be processed through the respective unit(s) and the Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC) and Graduate School Administrative Board. However, the GCC prefers that units do not submit the degree requirements for a new program until appendix A (for master’s or CAS) has been filed at UNC-GA or appendix B (for doctoral/first professional) has been filed at UNC-GA and an affirmative response for planning received.
The University Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate prefer….(have e-mailed Catherine to get a decision on this)…
Miscellaneous: - Does ECU offer a first professional program?
Yes, the doctor of medicine (MD). The University of North Carolina offers first professional degrees in five areas: law, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
|
