Approval Process for New Programs
Program proposals
The university now provides one form for all program requests: https://nextbulletins.wayne.edu/programadmin/. For new programs, choose the appropriate academic level to access a list of program proposal options. For program revisions, choose the program from the list, or a program revision proposal can be initiated during the regular bulletin revision cycle. Contact courserecords@wayne.edu with any questions or to request access.
The program proposal should provide information on all aspects of the proposed program and should address issues that are most commonly raised during the review process of new programs. Guidelines have been developed to assist you in preparing academic program proposals (see below link). The guidelines provide information that should be included on all program proposals (Undergraduate and Graduate). Specific information and procedures that are required by the Graduate Council's New Program and Review Committee for review of Graduate Program proposals are located on the Graduate School's website at https://gradschool.wayne.edu/program-proposals.
Guidelines for Preparing New Undergraduate Programs
Syllabus Guidelines (Word Version)
Approval processes
Final authority to approve academic programs rests with the Board of Governors. However, the Board has delegated approval authority for certain actions to the President. University approval requirements for various types of educational policies and academic program actions are described in 04-7 Approval of Educational Policies. New academic degree program proposals require review and approval at a number of levels: departmental level, college/school faculty governing body, and the dean of the unit proposing the program, as well as, by the Provost, President, and Board of Governors. The Graduate Council must approve all new graduate programs and all substantial revisions in existing graduate programs.
- Departmental level
- College/school faculty governing body
- Dean of the unit proposing the program
- The Graduate Council must approve all new graduate programs and all substantial revisions in existing graduate programs.
- Provost
- President
- Board of Governors
In all cases, the Board of Governors review will be conducted under the Provost step in the workflow. Documents submitted to the Board of Governors will need to be prepared and uploaded to this system, using the standard Board of Governors program proposal templates below:
- BoG Template for New Undergraduate Program (Word)
- BoG Template for New Graduate Program (Word)
- BoG Template for Discontinuance (Word)
In certain instances, the Provost will refer proposals for new academic programs to the Academic Senate for review, if it appears the proposal will significantly affect the interests of more than one college or school or the University. In addition, at the state level, new academic programs are reviewed and endorsed by the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) for inclusion in the state appropriations bill. New academic programs may also require the approval of WSU's accrediting body (HLC) before students can be admitted.
Timeline for approval
It generally requires twelve to eighteen months for new degree programs to complete the internal review and approval process for program actions requiring Board of Governors' approval. However, there may be delays at any level of the review process that could extend the time. The Board of Governors' considers new program recommendations at its regularly scheduled meetings. Board of Governors documents is to be sent to R. Darin Ellis at rdellis@wayne.edu.
Important Dates for 2024-25 Curriculum Proposals
Programs cannot be listed or described in the University Bulletin or otherwise advertised until they have completed the approval process.