Establish a New Option Process

The page concerns the creation of new degree options (also referred to as subprograms) only. There are separate pages for information about sub-options (concentrations, tracks, specializations, emphases, fields) and for elevating options.

New degree options do not require submission to the Academic Master Plan, as long as the degree they are an option for is approved and active. 

When developing a new degree, it's very important to keep in mind that this is often a multi-year process. There is a heavy dependence on reviews and approvals from internal ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ and external CSU/Accreditation sources. See the Curriculum Calendar page for details.

Departments or programs will need to obtain department and college approval before submitting a proposal.

    • This form from the CO requests a comprehensive assessment plan addressing all assessment elements in Sec 4B. Please review these .
    • a completed "".
    • a completed budget document (template is currently being reviewed and finalized by the CSU Chancellor's Office - these will be required for both state-supported and self-supported budgets)
  • a completed for the degree as applicable (bachelor’s programs please include a 4-year AND 2-year transfer roadmap)
    • as necessary, be sure to include the current GE pattern, student graduate progression milestones, and any other relevant information that can aid a student's path toward their degree

Digital copies of all proposal materials that were approved by the department and college are forwarded to the Vice Provost for Academic Programs, the WSCUC ALO and Director of Institutional Assessment, and the Academic Programs Team (group email link). The proposal is reviewed by all offices and feedback is provided to the proposer. 

When details of the documents are finalized, the Academic Programs Office will move the proposal forward toward the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Academic Senate.

The proposal packet is shared with the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Academic Senate Chair. 

Upon their approval of the materials, the proposal will be shared with the Senate's Curriculum and Educational Policies Council (CEPC) and University Resource Council (URC) for review. Proposers will be invited to discuss their proposals with these councils, and potentially be asked to make updates to the content. 

Depending on any contention with the proposal, the final recommendation by these councils may be forwarded to the Academic Senate for further review, or receive approval from the Senate. 

Upon recommendation by the Academic Senate, the Vice Provost for Academic Programs seeks the President's approval.

With approval of the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ President, the Academic Programs Office will compile the final version of the proposal packet and submit to the CSU Chancellor's Office Academic Programs team. 

Upon the Chancellor's Office approval, ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ will set an implementation date for the degree option. A policy statement will be distributed to campus administration, and the degree option will appear in the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Catalog during the appropriate year. The proposing department can begin working with the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Admissions Office on preparing for start of the degree option.