Chapter Five

Procedures for Securing Approval of New Degree Majors and for Revising Such Programs

A. Procedures for New Degree Proposals

1. Curricular Planning Policies of the CSU System

The first step in developing a new degree major is to have the proposed program placed on the Academic Plan of the University. On the CSUH campus, the 5-year Plan is updated annually in a process involving submission of departmental, college, and other requests to the Committee on Academic Planning and Resources (CAPR) which develops a campus-wide recommendation. The format of the submissions to CAPR is contained in Chapter 8. The CAPR recommendations go to the Academic Senate and if approved, in turn, to the President, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees. The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) also reviews system Academic Plans.
The following policies are those formulated by the CSU Board of Trustees for use in academic planning:

Curricula are to reflect the needs of students and of the State.

The foundation program for all campuses in the system consists of the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, and teaching.

Programs in applied fields and professions other than those above are to be allocated within the system on the basis of 1) needs of the State; 2) needs of the campus service area; and 3) identification of employment opportunities.

"All colleges cannot be all things to all people." Curricula in the applied fields and professions are therefore to be located in a systemwide pattern which will achieve an equitable and educationally sound distribution of programs throughout the State.

While all colleges may wish to offer the same programs, the Trustees exercise great selectivity in the final approval of new curricula.

Specialized, high-cost programs are to be allocated on the basis of review and study of the individual subject area.

Degree programs are to be broadly based and of high academic quality.

Unnecessary proliferation of degrees and terminologies is to be avoided.

A formal review of existing curricula is to be conducted by each campus as part of the overall planning process (See Chapter 7).

The Academic Plans serve as the basis for campus master planning (facilities).
Placement of a major on the Academic Plan allows implementation of the program at the desired date or later, but does not guarantee it. No later than July 1 of the year preceding the academic year of implementation, a detailed proposal for the new program in the format below, must be submitted by the college dean to the Associate Vice Presidents for review followed by college approval (both the dean and faculty review body). The final proposal must be submitted to the Committee on Instruction and Curriculum (CIC) no later than October 1 to allow time for mandatory on-campus and off-campus reviews if the program is to be implemented the following Fall. Actual implementation awaits final approval of the program proposal through the regular campus channels as outlined in Chapter 1, the Chancellor's Office, and the CPEC. Assurance that proper resource support is available will be required before final approval.
B.A. Degree majors require a minimum of 40 quarter units of which at least 18 must be upper division. B.S. Degree majors require a minimum of 54 units of which 27 must be upper division. (CSUH policy limits majors to a maximum of 93 units exclusive of courses satisfying G.E. Additional units may be added to B.S. degree major up to a maximum of 105 units, provided an equivalent number of units is added to the B.S. degree, up to a maximum of 198 units. Exceptions to these rules may be granted for compelling reasons.)
Additional Principles Applicable to Master's Degree Proposals:
The instructions and format authorized for the Bachelor's Degree are to be followed in presenting proposed Master's degrees for review by the Chancellor's Office. In addition, the following principles apply:
1. Master's degree programs (in standard academic disciplines) should be preceded by the appropriate undergraduate degree program in a related area and ordinarily should not be introduced until the university or college has had at least three years' experience with the undergraduate degree program.
2. In areas of low enrollment and high cost, Master's programs can best be developed on a step-by-step basis through offering courses first, and then options within a broader program area.
3. A minimum of five full-time (tenured) faculty members with the terminal professional degree (ordinarily the Ph.D.) should be on the departmental staff.
4. The number and location of Master's degrees in all disciplines are subject to systemwide determination.
5. Master's degree programs require a minimum of 45 quarter units of which at least half must be in graduate (6000-level) courses. (Only professional degrees may exceed 45 quarter units.) However the 1989 report on Graduate Education in the CSU recommends that Trustees increase the minimum required units of graduate courses from 22.5 to 31.5. Title 5 has not been modified to date.
6. Master's degree programs require a culminating experience, i.e., thesis, project, or comprehensive examination. (See catalog for definitions.)

2. Procedures for Proposing New Majors

Please follow the instructions in Chapter 1, sections C and D, regarding the routing of proposals, number of copies required, and the deadlines. As noted in Chapter 2, any course proposals involved in a new major must be appended to the program proposal.

Specific Instructions

Margins should be approximately one inch in width and each page should be numbered consecutively in the upper right-hand corner. At the top of the first page only, properly centered, enter the name of the university in upper-case type; double spaced below the name of the university, and centered, enter the name of the department or other administrative unit, using upper-case for the first letter of each word only; triple spaced below the department name, enter, in upper-case type, "REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF NEW B.A. (or B.S. or M.A. or M.S. or other) DEGREE MAJOR IN ______." Three spaces below this title, commence the body of the request, following the format below in section 3. Headings in the format (excluding items in parentheses) must be included in the proposal.
For new programs or for program modifications not receiving approval from all affected departments and colleges, CIC action is required. After action on the request by CIC, the originating department or program committee must change the program request to reflect all amendments and other alterations required by actions of CIC. The department must prepare 95 copies, and forward these finalized copies to the office of the Academic Senate. The Academic Senate office will prepare 95 copies of the cover sheet describing committee action, attach them to the proposals, and forward 85 completed documents to the Academic Senate for action. Ten copies are forwarded to administrative offices for use in preparing the Catalog, Class Schedule, information for the Chancellor's Office, etc. (If the originating department or program committee and CIC disagree, the department must alter the request to reflect both points of view and record the CIC action.)
The Academic Senate acts on all new program proposals and all program modification requests not receiving approval from other affected departments and colleges and submits its recommendations to the President.
If the proposed major is approved by the President, it must be forwarded to the Chancellor's Office for final approval, after review by CPEC.

3. Format

(Prescribed by Chancellor's Office, March, 1985.)

Information in the following sequence is required. Full headings, except for material in parentheses, must be included. See section A2 for document heading, margins, and pagination.

Select this link to download a Microsoft Word form in this format. You will also need to fill out Table I, again available in a Microsoft Word form

Definition of the Proposed Degree Major Program
1. Name of the campus submitting the request, the full and exact designation (degree terminology) for the proposed degree major program, and academic year of intended implementation.
2. Name of the department, departments, division, college, or other unit of the campus which would offer the proposed degree major program. Identify the unit which will have primary responsibility. Include signed approval of college dean and college faculty review body.
3. Name, title, and rank of the individual(s) primarily responsible for drafting the proposed degree major program. Identify his/her unit.
4. Objectives of the proposed degree major program.
5. Total number of units required for the major. List of all courses (alphabetically by prefix, numerically within prefix listing), by catalog number, title, and units of credit, to be specifically required for a major under the proposed degree program. Identify those new courses which are (1) needed to initiate the program and (2) needed during the first two years after implementation. (Attach new course requests and course modification requests, including proposed catalog descriptions, to this proposal as an appendix. Indicate nature of any modifications. See Chapter 2.)
6. List of elective courses (alphabetically by prefix, numerically within prefix listing), by catalog number, title, and units of credit, which can be used to satisfy requirements for the major (give total number of elective units). Identify those new courses which are (1) needed to initiate the program and (2) needed during the first two years after implementation. (Attach new course requests and course modification requests, including proposed catalog descriptions, to this proposal as an appendix. Indicate nature of any modifications. See Chapter 2.)
  (NOTE: With regard to e. and f., a proposed program should take advantage of courses already offered in other departments when subject matter would otherwise overlap or duplicate existing course content.)
7. If any formal options are planned under the proposed major, explain fully (i.e. list and describe them).
8. Course prerequisites and other criteria for admission of students to the proposed degree major program, and for their continuation in it. (Campus policy requires inclusion of all course prerequisites in undergraduate programs.)
9. Explanation of special characteristics of the proposed degree major program, e.g., in terminology, units of credit required, types of course work, etc.
10. For undergraduate programs, provisions for articulation of the proposed major with community college programs. (Not applicable to graduate programs.)
11. Provision for meeting accreditation requirements, where applicable, and anticipated date of accreditation request.
  (NOTE: Where applicable, establishment of a master's degree program should be preceded by national professional accreditation of the corresponding bachelor's degree major program.)
Need for the Proposed Degree Major Program
1. List of other California State University campuses currently offering or projecting the proposed degree major program; list of neighboring institutions, public and private, currently offering the proposed degree major program. (Be certain to compare unit values after converting all to quarter units.)
2. Differences between the proposed program and programs listed in (a) above.
3. List of other curricula currently offered by the campus which are closely related to the proposed program. Enrollment figures during the past three years in specified courses or programs closely related to the proposed degree major program. If a formal minor, option or concentration is offered in the proposed subject area, indicate the number of students enrolled.
4. Results of a formal survey in the geographical area to be served indicating demand for individuals who have earned the proposed degree and evidence of serious student interest in majoring in the proposed program. Justify any discrepancies between national/statewide/ professional human resources surveys and local findings.
5. For graduate programs, the number of declared undergraduate majors and the degree production over the preceding three years for the corresponding baccalaureate programs.
6. Professional uses of the proposed degree major program.
7. The expected number of majors in the year of initiation and three years and five years thereafter. The expected number of graduates in the year of initiation and three years and five years thereafter.
(NOTE: This degree major program will be subject to program review evaluation within five years after implementation.)
Existing Support Resources for the Proposed Degree Major Program
(NOTE: Sections 3 and 4 and Table I should be prepared in consultation with the campus administrators responsible for faculty staffing and instructional facilities allocation and planning. Include analyses of the appropriate associate vice presidents and the Director of the Library.)
1. Faculty members, with rank, appointment status, highest degree earned, date and field of highest degree, and professional experience (including publications if the proposal is for a graduate degree), who would teach in the proposed program.
  (NOTE: For proposed graduate degree programs, a minimum of five full-time faculty members with the terminal professional degree should be on the program staff.)
2. Space and facilities that would be used in support of the proposed program. Show how this space is currently used and what alternate arrangements, if any, will be made for the current occupants.
3. Library resources to support the program, specified by subject areas, volume count, periodical holdings, etc.
4. Equipment and other specialized materials currently available. (Includes computer resources.)
Additional Support Resources Required
(NOTE: If additional support resources will be needed to implement and maintain the program, a statement by the responsible administrator(s) should be attached to the proposal assuring that such resources will be provided.)
1. Complete Table I, Projected Campus Total Full-Time Equivalent Students and Full-Time Equivalent Faculty Attributable to the Proposed Degree Program, page 31. Enrollment and faculty positions should be shown for all discipline categories which will increase because of the new program and for all discipline categories which will decrease because of the new program. If faculty positions are to be transferred into the new program from other areas, the reductions in faculty positions should be shown in the appropriate discipline category.
2. Any special characteristics of the additional faculty or staff support positions needed to implement the proposed program.
3. The amount of additional lecture and/or laboratory space required to initiate and sustain the program over the next five years. Indicate any additional special facilities that will be required. If the space is under construction, what is the projected occupancy date? If the space is planned, indicate campuswide priority of the facility, capital outlay program priority, and projected date of occupancy.
4. Additional library resources needed. Indicate the commitment of the campus to purchase or borrow through inter-library loan these additional resources.
5. Additional equipment or specialized materials that will be (1) needed to implement the program, and (2) needed during the first two years after initiation. Indicate source of funds and priority to secure these resource needs. (Computer resources must be included in this section.)
Consultation. (If the proposed new program involves other colleges and/or departments, please consult them and describe the results of the consultation.)
Abstract of the Proposal and Proposed Catalog Description
Attach an abstract of the foregoing proposal, not to exceed two pages, and a complete proposed catalog description, including admission and major requirements. See current catalog for format and style.

B. Procedures for Modifying Existing Degree Majors

Please follow the instructions in Chapter 1, sections C and D, regarding the routing of proposals, number of copies required, and deadlines. As noted in Chapter 2, any course proposals involving program revisions must be appended to the program proposal.

1. Specific Instructions

Margins should be approximately one inch in width and each page should be numbered consecutively in the upper right-hand corner. At the top of the first page only, properly centered, enter the name of the university in upper-case type; double-spaced below the name of the university, and centered, enter the name of the department or other administrative unit, using upper-case for the first letter of each word only; triple-spaced below the department name, enter in upper-case type "REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF MODIFICATION OF THE B.A. (or B.S. or M.A. or other) DEGREE MAJOR IN ___." Three spaces below this title, commence the body of the request, following the format below in section 2. Headings in the format (excluding items in parentheses) must be included in the proposal.
For program modifications not receiving approval from all affected departments and colleges, CIC action is required. After action on the request by CIC, the originating department or program committee must change the program request to reflect all amendments and other alterations required by actions of CIC and accepted by the department or program committee. The department must prepare 95 copies, and forward the finalized copies to the office of Academic Senate. The Academic Programs office will prepare 95 copies of the cover sheet describing committee action, attach them to the proposals, and forward 85 completed documents to the Academic Senate for action. Ten copies are forwarded to administrative offices for use in preparing the catalog, information for the Chancellor's Office, Senate records, etc.
The Academic Senate acts on all program proposals and submits its recommendations to the President.

2. Format

All requests for revisions of existing programs will be submitted in the following format. Full headings, except for material in parentheses, must be included. See section B1 for document heading, margins, and pagination.

Select this link to download a Microsoft Word form in this format.

1. Definition of Proposed Change

1.1. Designation of Degree, Major

1.2. Evidence of approval of

1.2.1. Department (Chair's name and signature)
1.2.2. College Dean (Dean's name and signature)
1.2.3 College Faculty Review Body (Committee chair's name and signature)

1.3. Objectives of proposed revision

1.4. List of all requirements, including courses by catalog number, title, and units, affected by change. (Departments need only cite those portions of the program which are changing, not the entire program. A comparison of the existing and proposed portions of the program must be provided. This may be done by arranging them one-after-the-other, side-by-side with equivalents aligned, or with underscores for new material and strikeovers of deleted material, whichever the department prefers.) The total required units in both old and new programs must be clearly indicated.

1.5. List of New Course, Course Modification (indicate the nature of the modification), and Course Discontinuance Requests, if any, attached to this proposal. (Give prefix, number, title, and units. The individual course forms, described in Chapter 2, must be attached to the document as an appendix.)

2. Need for the Proposed Change

3. Faculty, Library, Operating Expense, Capital Outlay, Equipment, and Facilities Resources for the Proposed Change

4. Relationship of Revised Program to Teaching Credentials or to Accreditation Organization (If the change is irrelevant to credentials or accreditation, indicate "not applicable.")

5. Consultation. (If the proposed revision affects other colleges and/or departments, please consult them and describe the results of this consultation.)