Academic Program Processes
Undergraduate Programs
Processes for creating, modifying and deleting academic programs are designed to ensure that programs are aligned with university strategic priorities, support the originating academic unit’s mission, comply with university policy and operations, and are sustainable with available resources.
Contact the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for similar actions pertaining to units such as colleges, departments, schools, institutes and centers.
Step One
Identify the program for which an action will be taken.
Learn more about the types of undergraduate programs below.
Major/Degree
A major is a sequence of courses and activities leading to a degree or diploma in an academic discipline or subject area. The NU Board of Regents adopted a 120 credit hour maximum for all undergraduate degree programs beginning in Fall 2012 (Regents Policy 5.1.4). Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the Board of Regents. Programs that exceed 120 credit hours due to professional accreditation and/or state requirements, or those defined as five-year degrees, are those most likely to receive an exception approval. Majors/degrees appear on transcripts.
Minor
A minor represents additional value for developing students’ competencies and learning within a program of study. Minors require between 12-18 credit hours of coursework and are limited to degree-seeking students. No more than 6 credit hours of transfer work can be used to satisfy minor requirements and no more than 6 credit hours taken with a P/NP grading option can be used to satisfy minor requirements. In some cases, college policies may require that most or all of the credit hours be taken with a grade only option. Minors appear on transcripts.
Certificate
An undergraduate certificate is a structured set of professionally-oriented courses designed to provide recognition that the student has completed coursework in an applied area of focus. Undergraduate certificates may be offered to non-degree and/or degree-seeking students. Undergraduate Certificates require 12-20 credit hours and the majority of the coursework should be at the 300 and 400 level with the exception of certificates in certain fields (i.e., agriculture and specified medical fields). Certificates appear on transcripts.
Option
A choice of two or more courses within an undergraduate major that defines a specialty area or specific field of study. The curriculum allows for different courses to meet expected outcomes that constitute an option. An option must account for approximately 50% and no less than 18 credit hours of the major requirements. Colleges with a common set of core requirements for all majors may request a 12-hour minimum. Options appear on transcripts.
Emphasis
A choice of course requirements within an undergraduate major that defines a specialty area or specific field of study. The course requirements are the same or similar, but the curriculum allows for different course requirements to meet expected outcomes that constitute an emphasis. The emphasis must account for approximately 30% or no less than 12 credit hours of the major requirements. Colleges with a common set of core requirements for all majors may request a 9-hour minimum. Emphases do not appear on transcripts.
For other program actions that require approval (e.g., MOUs, subject codes, endorsements, HLC substantive change reporting, etc.), see Related Program Actions.
Step Two
Determine the programmatic action you want to take.
Create
Creating a new instructional program is one not included in the definition of an existing instructional program. A substantial modification of an existing instructional program constitutes creating a new program, such as when the principal objective of the program is changed.
Review the Pre-proposal Questionnaire prior to preparing a proposal.
Modify
Modifying an instructional program is a reasonable and moderate extension of an existing instructional program. Examples of modifications include name changes, CIP code changes, converting an existing traditional program to an online program, merger/consolidation, and substantial changes in degree requirements.
If you are simply reporting a curriculum change to satisfy HLC substantive change reporting requirements, see Related Program Actions.
Delete
Deleting an instructional program will halt recruiting, advertising and admitting into the program, but will allow current students to finish the program.
Discontinuing (mothballing) a program will inactivate the program for a temporary period of time. Refer to the Steps for Discontinuation for more information.
Step Three
Download and complete the proposal template.
All proposals require a supporting transmittal memo from the college dean.
Step Four
Review the timeline for transmittal and approval, if required.
Review the timeline for transmittal and approval. All required reviews and approvals should be secured by April 1 for changes to be reflected in the Undergraduate Catalog and on the Undergraduate Application for Admission.
Minor/Option
* Includes a preliminary operational review by University Registrar, Undergraduate Education Programs and Academic Advising.
Step Five
Transmit the proposal and supporting documents.
Submit electronically via upload, formatted as follows: proposal as Word, any budget tables as Excel, and any supporting letters, appendices, and other documents as PDF.
Include a memo from the college dean or Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, confirming that department and college approvals are in place.
Additional internal letters of support are required when your proposal impacts another unit. External letters of support are required when proposing a new major or certificate.
Don't forget: Curriculum actions for individual courses need to follow established procedures with the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
Please do not email the documents. If you have difficulty uploading the materials, contact Suzi Tamerius (stamerius2@unl.edu). Inquiries about the preparation of the documents should be directed to Assistant Vice Chancellor, Renee Batman (rbatman2@unl.edu).
Select options in the form below to upload the complete set of required materials to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor.
You must be logged in to view and submit the form. Click here to login.
Step Six
Be prepared for questions and revisions throughout the process.
The proposer and/or dean will be the point of contact regarding questions on proposals. The University Registrar, Admissions, and Undergraduate Education Programs will conduct an early review of the proposal once received by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor. Operational questions may arise from this review.
The Academic Planning Committee and Board of Regents may request additional information or ask clarifying questions. The Board may ask that a representative from the unit attend the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education’s meeting in which the proposal will be discussed. The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor will provide the proposer with as much notice as possible if a physical presence is desired.
Step Seven
Approval notification.
Upon completion of the review and approval process, the units below will be notified. Notification will come from the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor. For emphases, notification is handled by the Director of Undergraduate Education Programs and includes the proposer, college and University Registrar only.
Notification of approval is the authorization to implement the actions listed in the table below. The units will have access to the full proposal and will contact the proposer with any additional questions.
| College/Department | Modify Website, Recruitment and/or Advising Materials |
|---|---|
| University Registrar | Modify Student Information System (PeopleSoft) |
| Update Degree Audit | |
| Undergraduate Admissions | Modify Undergraduate Admissions Application |
| Modify Recruitment Materials | |
| Undergraduate Education Programs | Modify Undergraduate Catalog |
| Scholarships and Financial Aid | Update the Program Participation Agreement |
| Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics | Update Reporting Environments |
Questions?
Contact Renee Batman, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer at rbatman2@unl.edu or 402-472-3751.