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3.3.1 New Academic Programs

(Charter)

New majors, minors, degrees, and departments or schools, hereafter referred to as academic programs, may be initiated by the recommendation of existing departments or schools or by the recommendation of the Vice President for Academic Administration.

New academic programs will be reviewed by the following governance bodies in this order prior to implementation:

  1. University Master Planning Committee (UMPC)

    Review the proposal considering the

    1. University mission

    2. Academic strategic plan

    3. Data showing market trends

    4. Institutional research data relevant to the program

    5. University resources (both physical and budgetary)

    6. Overall demands of the program as compared to its contribution

  2. Curriculum Committee

    Review the proposed curriculum, comparing with similar programs in higher education, and working within parameters, if any, set by the UMPC

  3. University Senate

    Review and approve the proposal, understand and approve the curriculum, and comment on the program as appropriate

  4. University Assembly

    Review the proposal, ask questions and provide feedback. Without a two-thirds vote to veto, the recommendation goes to the President.

  5. WWU Board of Trustees

    Review the proposal in broad terms, understand its relationship to the mission of the institution, and ratify the program

Data gathered, including evaluative methods, documents, and recommendations of each committee shall be provided to subsequent committees in the process. Changes, other than editorial changes, during the approval process are to be reported by the committee chair to the chair(s) of the previous committee(s) who may call for reconsideration of the new program.