Create New Degree Program
Overview
Creating a new degree program begins with Provost pre-approval through a memo. Following approval to proceed, the proposal is entered into CIM and reviewed and approved by several internal groups (e.g., the University Curriculum Committee). New degree programs must also be presented and approved by the Board of Trustees and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. This process can take 10-18 months for a new degree program to be created.
Process Details
The following describes the approval process for creating a new academic degree program (e.g., a new major).
Request Provost Approval to Commence Planning
The originating academic unit should submit to the Provost a request to commence planning for the new program using the following two templates:
The Provost reviews requests throughout the year.
Submit Proposal into CIM
Upon Provost approval, the originating academic unit shouldinput the proposed program into the Curriculum Inventory Management System (CIM) for review and approval by appropriate unit, college and university committees. A CIM training guide is available for assistance. Please attach the approved planning request memorandum to the CIM form.
University committees (graduate and undergraduate) meet once a month and usually review all proposals received by the first of that month. The undergraduate committee does not meet in the summer months.
Request Provost and Board Approval
Upon university committee approval, the originating academic unit should submit to the Provost the following three items to request Provost and Board approval:
The Provost reviews approval requests throughout the year. However, the Board of Trustees meets only seven times per year.
Request Alabama Commission on Higher Education Approval
Upon Board approval, the originating unit should prepare a program proposal for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education:
The university’s ACHE coordinator will work with the originating unit to submit this document. The Commission reviews program proposals only four times a year
Note: To ensure program viability, the Commission requires a Post-Implementation Report seven years after initial implementation. Over the seven-year period the minimum number of average graduates per program type must be met: 7.5 for bachelor's degree programs, 3.75 for master's degree program, and 2.25 for doctoral programs.
Program Build
Once Commission approval is received, the Registrar will ensure that the new degree program is entered into university systems so that it is operable. Programs that complete the full approval process prior to May will appear in the fall semester Auburn University Bulletin.
These steps are summarized below:
| Responsible Unit | Action |
| Originating Unit | Submit request memorandum and financial projection to Provost |
| Provost | Review and approve |
| Originating Unit | Input proposed program into CIM (and attach approved request memo) |
| Department | Review and approve |
| College | Review and approve |
| University Committee | Review and approve |
| Originating Unit/College | Attach proposal memorandum into CIM |
| Provost | Review and approve |
| Board of Trustees | Review and approve |
| Originating Unit/College | Attach NISP and full proposal into CIM |
| ACHE Coordinator | Transmit NISP and proposal to ACHE for review and approval |
| Provost/Registrar | Input approved program into AU Bulletin |
- It can be helpful for a representative from the originating unit or college to attend the meeting of the university committee in case the membershave questions.
- If the proposed program includes a course or courses from another college, the originating unit should provide evidence that the other college supports inclusion of its course. Normally, an email from the other college will be sufficient.