Proposal and Approval Process
Creating Proposals for New and Modified Programs
A proposal must be submitted for all proposed new degree programs and proposed degree program modifications that meet the criteria outlined in the section below. Proposals should demonstrate how a new or modified program will support the University’s mission and priorities as well as the priorities of the school(s). They should also reflect both an internal planning process within the school, and engagement as appropriate with other schools and units, especially those that may overlap or relate to the proposed new or modified program. Proposals can be submitted to Mearah Quinn-Brauner (mearah@northwestern.edu), Assistant Provost for Strategy and Policy in the Office of the Provost, and should address the topics found here: Proposal Guidelines.
Approval Process for New and Modified Programs
All new degree programs and significant modifications to existing programs must be approved by the provost. Proposals for new and modified programs are typically reviewed and approved through these steps:
- School-level approval: Proposals for new and modified programs must be approved through the originating school’s curricular review processes before being formally considered by the Office of the Provost.
- Central approval: Proposals for new degrees and significant modifications to existing degrees are reviewed by Office of the Provost leaders and typically the Council of Deans before being forwarded to the provost for final review and approval.
Following all required internal approvals, the Office of the Provost works with the program sponsor to initiate internal set-up of the program in 宅男福利导航 systems and complete necessary external notifications and/or approvals. To allow for these steps to be completed, new programs may not be advertised or begin accepting applications until the Office of the Provost has confirmed that these activities can begin.
While not all program modifications require formal approval by the provost, proposal sponsors are encouraged to consult with the Office of the Provost early in the planning process.
Program Modifications that May Require Provost Approval
Some changes to existing programs may require internal review and approval and some may be subject to external requirements. If a school or department wishes to do any of the following, a formal proposal may be necessary:
- Add a new major or specialization
- Discontinue an existing degree program
- Make a substantial change to the philosophy/purpose of a degree
- Change the relationship to other degrees that may have been approved or modified since the existing degree was designed
- Propose major curricular changes (e.g. change 25% or more of the courses in the program )
- Change the modality of the program (e.g., shift a fully in-person program to an online or hybrid modality by offering some or all courses in the new modality)
- Offer the program at a new location
- Involve departments or academic units that have not been previously involved with this program
- Involve faculty from new or different departments or schools
- Change the tuition structure
- Significantly expand or downscale the degree
- Propose shifting the administration of the degree to a different administrative unit
Please consult with Mearah Quinn-Brauner (mearah@northwestern.edu), Assistant Provost for Strategy and Policy in the Office of the Provost, to determine whether a proposal and review are required.