New Program Development
The procedures for developing new academic programs reflect the University of California assigned responsibility for courses, curricula, and degrees to the faculty, and responsibility for academic units and budgets to the administration. They are written to promote mutual endorsement of any proposed action because both faculty and administration support are necessary for a program or unit to thrive. Processes support administration and designated Academic Senate committee consultation prior to final decision. The Academic Senate may consult among its various committees consistent with their authorities and responsibilities.
The UCSC Policy and Procedures Governing Establishment, Disestablishment, and Change reflects UC systemwide policy. Intermittent revisions to align with changing UC policy are made following consultation with academic administrators and the Academic Senate. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA) coordinates consultation, maintains the document, and determines the approval process for any action not specifically described.
The campus approval process related to Schools, Colleges, ORUs, and MRUs is not detailed in this document, but will mirror the process for new programs.
Contact Mary Laurence, Senior Academic Planning Analyst, at malauren@ucsc.edu for assistance or for more information.
Spring 2024 Curricular Updates
I am pleased to announce the following change to the UC Santa Cruz curriculum which will take effect in 2024-25:
- The Arts Division will launch a new B.A. in Creative Technologies.
Additionally, the following has been approved, but will not take effect until 2025-26:
- The Environmental Studies Department will launch an M.A. in Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Technologies, Applications, and Research (GISTAR).
Five-Year Perspectives: List of New Degrees, Colleges, and Schools
Academic Divisions submit their plans in December to the VPAA, who provides the documents to the Academic Senate for review and comment. A compiled campus list of planned new programs, along with discontinued programs or disestablished departments, is then submitted to UCOP each spring.
The first step for all new degree programs, and particularly graduate degree programs, is inclusion on the annual campus 5-Year Perspectives List. The 5-Year Perspectives is a report requested by UCOP that lists all planned degree programs, colleges, and schools that the campus intends to establish within 5 years; 2014 revisions to the Compendium eliminated reporting on research units. The format for proposal summaries is defined by UCOP in their Compendium: Universitywide Review Processes for Academic Programs, Academic Units, & Research Units.
These Five-Year Perspectives are public documents and inform campus accountability reports.
Current Five-Year List (2024/25 – 2028/29)
Call for Five-Year Lists (dated October 22, 2024)
Process Maps for Academic Program Development
The process maps are designed to clarify the necessary steps involved in the development of an academic degree program. For further information, see the appendices within the UCSC Policy and Procedures Governing Establishment, Disestablishment, and Change policy for detailed formats required for developing undergraduate and graduate degree program proposals. The University wide Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs (CCGA) handbook guidelines should also be consulted. Note that the campus proposal formats are based on University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and CCGA’s guidelines for graduate programs, but are modified to account for specific UC Santa Cruz requirements.
New Undergraduate Degree Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new undergraduate degree program. Final curricular approval rests with CEP and final administrative approval rests with the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor (CP/EVC). If the proposed degree program includes a degree title that is new to the campus, additional university wide approval is required (for the title only) and the proposal will be sent to UCOP by the VPAA for routing. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Graduate Degree Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new graduate degree program. Final curricular approval rests with Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs (CCGA) and final administrative approval rests with the UC President. If the proposed degree program includes a degree title that is new to the campus, additional approval is required from the Assembly of the Academic Senate or the Academic Council on behalf of the Assembly(for the title only). The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Undergraduate Non-Degree Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new undergraduate degree program. Final curricular approval rests with CEP and CPB will be consulted if new resources are necessary. CEP will determine when the program shall be published in the General Catalog and the Admissions materials. The VPAA advises on resource viability as needed. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Graduate Non-Degree Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new graduate non-degree program. Final curricular approval rests with GC. GC determines when the program may be published in the General Catalog and Admission materials. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Hybrid Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new hybrid degree program. The establishment of a new hybrid degree program mirrors the approval process for a new graduate degree program, with the exception that the UC Compendium specifies that hybrid proposals are reviewed by a joint subcommittee of CEP and GC. Upon campus approval, the proposal is forwarded to the Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs (CCGA). CCGA will normally provide pro forma concurrence with the campus action that is simply a new articulation between existing bachelor’s and graduate degree programs, unless it judges that there are particular issues that justify a more extended review. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Joint Graduate Degree Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new joint degree program. The establishment of a new joint graduate degree program mirrors the approval process for individual graduate degree programs. The first step is to request permission to negotiate between the University of California and the partner institution. Faculty considering a joint graduate degree program must consult the VPAA prior to proceeding. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Self-Supporting Graduate Professional Degree Program
Self-Supporting Graduate Programs allow the university to serve non-traditional students above and beyond the resources provided by the state. Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new self-supporting graduate professional degree program (SSGPDP). Program approval follows the process for a new graduate degree program. This process includes proposal by CCGA, however a self-supporting fee proposal is necessary in addition to the curricular proposal. The fee proposal must accompany the curricular proposal when it is submitted to the Senate. Campus and systemwide budget office review are required; proposing faculty must consult the VPAA and the Office of Planning and Budget. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition Program
Self-Supporting Graduate Programs allow the university to serve non-traditional students above and beyond the resources provided by the state. Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new self-supporting graduate professional degree program (SSGPDP). Program approval follows the process for a new graduate degree program. This process includes proposal by CCGA, however a self-supporting fee proposal is necessary in addition to the curricular proposal. The fee proposal must accompany the curricular proposal when it is submitted to the Senate. Campus and systemwide budget office review are required; proposing faculty must consult the VPAA and the Office of Planning and Budget. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term.
New 3+1+1 Program
Any faculty group may develop a proposal for a new 3+1+1 program. Final curricular approval rests with GC and final administrative approval rests with the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor (CPEVC). A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the agreement will then be signed by the designated signatories from UC Santa Cruz and the partner institution. The VPAA approval announcement will stipulate the program’s effective term. More detailed information can be found in the Guidelines for 3+1+1 Programs with International Institutions.
