Process for Academic Degree Program Approvals & Changes

The process of introducing a new academic degree program or modifying an existing one is often extensive, spanning a period of one to two years. Proposed changes must start with department and college support, demonstrated through faculty vote and a letter of support from the dean of the college. If applicable, the proposed change must also have the support of the internal college-level curriculum committee. As colleges and departments are planning curriculum changes, these changes should be added annually to the three-year academic plan submitted to the UA Board of Trustees. UA’s three-year academic plan is updated in late spring and submitted to the UA System Office in July.

After receiving the necessary department and college-level support, the proposed program or change will continue the internal review process with the appropriate Undergraduate or Graduate Curriculum Committee approval. This process can involve several revisions. The proposed program or change will then be recommended to the Undergraduate or Graduate Council.

Following this stage, depending on the nature of the proposed changes, further endorsement may be necessary from entities such as the UA Board of Trustees, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), and/or SACSCOC. These governing bodies convene only periodically throughout the year and have predetermined deadlines for the submission of agenda items well in advance of their meetings. Once final approval is granted, information regarding the new/changed program must be submitted for admissions and catalog materials ahead of established UA deadlines.

Deadlines for submission of proposals to institutional contacts have been established to assist departments in completing the appropriate forms in a timely manner. Please scroll down to find upcoming deadlines, links to forms and instructions, and other process details. All program changes must be submitted in CIM for Programs and reach the final approval step in workflow in order to be implemented in the student information system. All program changes are implemented in a Fall term to align with publication of the catalog which is effective each Fall. Changes to programs must reach final approval in CIM for Programs prior to the opening of the admissions application for the Fall term in which the change is effective. The admissions cycle for a given Fall term generally opens 15-20 months prior to the start of that term.

 Please contact Carmen Coleman (crjones18@ua.edu or 205-348-3439) prior to making any academic program changes or beginning the process of proposing a new degree program or if you have any questions.