Michigan Technological University follows process guidelines for review and approval of new degree programs which have been approved by the University Senate.
Program proposals may require several levels of approval, including Michigan Tech’s Academic Deans Council, Graduate Faculty Council, University Senate, and Board of Control, as well as the Academic Affairs Officers’ Committee of the Presidents’ Council of Michigan Universities (PSUM/AAO). Proposals do not proceed to the next approving body without approval of the previous body.
All new degree proposals (PhD, MS, BS and BA) must be approved by the Board of Control and Academic Affairs Officers’ Committee. All name changes must also be approved the Academic Affairs Officers’ Committee. The Board of Control and Academic Affairs Officers’ Committee have a limited number of meetings during the year and deadlines for consideration can be six weeks prior to the meeting. The schedule for this academic year is:
| Dates for Submitting to Academic Affairs Officers' Committee (Board of Control) | Presidents’ Council Meeting Dates, Lansing |
| September 20, 2011 | September 9, 2011 |
| November 23, 2011 | December 9, 2011 |
| February 7, 2012 | March 2, 2012 |
| April 11, 2012 | April 27, 2012 |
The following flowcharts are helpful to understand this process:
- Undergraduate New Degree Program/Concentration Proposal Process Flowchart
- Undergraduate New Minor/Certificate Proposal Process Flowchart
- Graduate New Degree Program Proposal Process Flowchart
- Graduate New Certificate Program Proposal Process Flowchart
Senate Guidelines
New Programs
- Formats for proposing new academic programs, 38-04
- 51-04 Criteria for financial evaluation of new academic programs, 51-04
Certificates
Minors
- Minors in degree programs, 16-97
- Amendment to Proposal 16-97, Minors in degree programs, to establish a residency requirement, 21-07
“Spin-off” degrees. All new degree programs need to follow the normal internal process of new program review. However, at the state level, some new degree programs may be classified as “spin-offs,” a term used for proposals that are clearly related to an institution’s existing program, and therefore do not require the same level of review as new program proposals. For example, Michigan Tech had an existing MSBA program, and decided to offer an MBA program. It was proposed as a “spin-off” of the existing MSBA. Spin-offs from all universities are bundled for state approval; they are not approved individually.
Concentrations and Options. Concentrations and options within a major degree appear on the diploma. When a new concentration or option is added to a degree program, it must be proposed as a new degree program. Because it is related to an existing degree program, it can be considered a “spin-off.” Sometime concentrations are later spun-off as entirely new degree programs; for example, the BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting became a BS in Accounting in 2010.
Technical Emphasis. Unlike concentrations, a technical emphasis within a degree program does not appear on a diploma, and therefore is not considered a new degree program. However, a designated technical emphasis does need to be approved by the provost through the normal curriculum change process (aka the “binder process”). Technical emphases often require the completion of a specific set of courses.
Please contact Helene Hiner if you have questions regarding new program proposals or changes to include concentrations, options, or technical emphasis areas to existing programs.