Program Approval Categories and Actions
When proposing academic program actions or organizational changes, it’s important to know which category of approval your idea falls under and what type of action it represents. Some activities, like creating a new degree or changing a program’s name, require formal review and approval by SCHEV (and sometimes the Board of Visitors), while others, like adding a major or adjusting electives, only need internal institutional approval. Understanding these categories and action types helps faculty and administrators prepare the right documentation, follow the correct process, and set realistic expectations for review and approval timelines.
Approval Categories
Any academic activity that is required to get approval from the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Some examples include new degree programs, changing the name of a degree program, or adding a new degree designation to a degree program. All SCHEV actions require institutional approval and some require Board of Visitors approval.
Any academic activity that may or may not need approval from the institution but does not need approval from the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Some examples of actions that require institutional approval include adding a major to an already existing degree program, or changing concentration or elective requirements to a degree program.
Types of Actions
New program
A defined, integrated course of study that leads to the award of a bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree, which is listed on the student diploma. It should include content that is new to our institution at the academic level proposed, have fewer than 25 percent of its courses in common with core curriculum with any existing program (excluding general education courses for bachelor’s degrees), and require its own Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) six-digit code.
A formal program of study requiring graduate-level coursework in a particular subject or area of specialization that leads to the award of a transcripted credential. The required number of courses varies, with a minimum of twelve credit hours and a maximum of twenty-four credit hours. A prerequisite of a baccalaureate degree is required for admission.
Changes to existing program
Change made to an existing program’s curriculum (addition or removal of courses).
Change made to an existing program’s six-digit CIP code designation (as reflected in SCHEV’s Degree and Certificate Inventory) to respond to changes in the field or to better reflect the intent of the program, provided no significant changes have been made to program requirements, content, or emphasis.
Change made in an existing degree program name (as reflected in SCHEV’s Degree and Certificate Inventory), provided no significant changes have been made to program requirements, content, or emphasis.
Changes to the total number of credits required to complete the degree or certificate program and/or the time allowed for a student to complete the program.
Adding or changing a degree designation to an existing degree program. For example, adding a B.S. option to an already existing B.A. degree program. The core coursework must be the same for both designations.
Changing or adding a delivery format to an existing degree or certificate program. The university offers three delivery formats: 100 percent face-to-face, 100 percent online, and hybrid (students are required to complete the program via a combination of face-to-face and online courses).
Consolidating two or more existing degree programs into a single degree program. The consolidated degree program may be new or existing.
Closure of a degree or certificate program for which no new enrollments and no new graduates will be reported.