Program Development Overview

The Office of Academic Planning and Program Development is your point-of-contact for all new program development. This includes new academic programs (bachelors, masters, and doctoral level) as well as new certificates and minors.

New Degree Program Proposals New Degree Program Proposals
New Certificate & Minor Proposals New Certificate & Minor Proposals
Resources & FAQs Resources & FAQs

The first step for all program development services is through the Program Analytics Request Form.

Submit PA Request Form

New Degree Program Development Process

The process for new academic programs can be found below. Please note that the first step in initiating this process is via the Program Analytics Request Form.

Stage I
Program Analytics Request

  • Initiator submits a request for a new minor or certificate via Program Analytics Request Form
    • Process focuses on: gathering admin information, screening for CIP codes, related industries, target occupations, and any other data unique to the proposed program
  • Analytics Team collects preliminary research/data to assess the general workforce demand and competitive landscape.

Stage I
Orientation and Data Summary

  • An orientation is held with the program initiator(s) and the Program Development and Program Analytics teams to explain and answer questions about the 3-Stage program development process, to collect any additional context behind the proposed program, and to clarify any necessary information
    • If, after the preliminary research and orientation meeting, the data show lack of analytic support, a Preliminary Data Summary may be developed to help initiators decide whether or not to continue with Stage I of the proposal.

Stage I
Program Analytics Report

  • Analytics Team completes the Program Analytics Report1. Program Development will deliver the report along with the prepopulated program proposal form and schedule a required analytics debrief meeting with initiator(s) and Analytics Team to discuss the data findings.
  • Initiator uses the Program Analytics Report, along with any other information or research collected by the initiator(s), to complete Stage I.
  • Initiator submits the completed Stage I to the Program Development Coordinator via email for review and revisions until draft and approvals are complete (initiator is encouraged to start completing Stage II during this time).

Stage II
Financial Analysis

  • Initiator completes Stage II sections A, B, C, D, E, and appendices 1 , 2, and 4 and submits draft to the Program Development Coordinator via email2.
  • Program Development contacts the Financial Planning and Budget team with the program proposal to request a Stage II Financial Analysis.
  • Program Development coordinates a Stage II initial meeting including Program Analytics, Financial Planning and Budget, program initiator(s), and respective Academic Dean and Dept. Head.
  • All additional Stage II information/clarification is gathered in the initial meeting and Finance Planning and Budget team begins completing the Financial Analysis required for Stage II Section E.
  • Once the Financial Analysis is delivered Program Development coordinates a debreif meeting where Financial Planning and Budget team presents the findings, during which any additional required notes/data are discussed. If an updated analysis is requested, a final debrief may occur, followed by appropriate approvals/signatures.

Stage III
Content & Quality

  • Initiator completes Stage III, with any support as needed from Program Development, and acquires all approval signatures from Department Head to Academic Dean
  • Associate Dean (UCC Representative) submits the completed Stage III proposal for UCC review through the T:Drive folder: Curriculum at one of the curriculum entry points (Month 1)
  • The Program Development reviews submission to ensure all sections in Stage III are complete and the latest proposal has been submitted.
  • Program Development is complete, and the proposal now goes through University Curriculum Commiittee review processes, followed by Academic Affairs Council, Board of Regents, and The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

1Program Analytics Report data expires one year from delivery. Please, plan accordingly to ensure each stage is completed in a timely manner. If the new program development process takes longer than one year, a new Program Analytics Report must be completed, and Stage 1 must be refreshed and resubmitted, causing significant delays in the process

2Once initiator has submitted the Stage II draft to the Curriculum Coordinator, they are encouraged to start working on Stage III sections.

For more information, contact programdev@shsu.edu

New Certificate or Minor Development Process

The process for the new Certificate or Minor development can be found below. Please note that the first step in initiating this process is via the Program Analytics Request Form.

Program Analytics Request Form

  • Initiator submits a request for a new minor or certificate via Program Analytics Request Form
  • The process focuses on: gathering admin information needed for the curriculum proposal form, screening for CIP codes, existing curriculum, and target occupations.

Curr Form and Data Summary1

  • Analysis Team uses the admin and screening information from the Program Analytics Request Form to:
    • Pre-populate the curriculum proposal form and define necessary sections2
    • Create a unique Data/Program Analysis Summary to support the demand of the certificate/minor

Deliverables

  • Analysis Team provides the pre-populated curriculum proposal form and Data/Program Analysis Summary to initiator who completes the form as indicated
    • A debrief meeting on the data is offered (but not mandatory). Meeting is coordinated by the Program Developement, if applicable
    • Program Developement provides support as needed until curriculum form is complete

Review and Approvals

  • If there is already a companion minor program to a proposed certificate, or vice versa, then the program is exempt from Univeristy Curriuclum Committee (UCC) review
    • New minors, regardless of UCC exemption, need Academic Affairs Counsel (AAC)/Provost approval and then are added to the catalog
    • New Certificates, regardless of UCC exemption, need AAC/Provost, Board of Regents (BOR), and Texas Higher Eeducation Coordating Board (THECB) approval3, if applicable, and then are added to the catalog. APPD uses section I and II of the curriculum form to complete the Board Motion

1The pre-populated curriculum proposal form and data summary are delivered in about 3 business days after the Analysis Request is submitted. Depending on Analysis Team workload, the deliverables could be finished as quickly as same business day or as long as 5 business days.

2Faculty/Initiators are always responsible for sections II, III, and IV in the curriculum proposal form. APA team is always responsible for section I as well as approvals/signatures from the AAC/Provost, Board of Regents, and THECB if applicable.

3Certificates at the undergraduate level of 20 semester credit hours or less and at the graduate and professional level of 15 semester credit hours or less do not require THECB approval.

APPD = Academic Planning and Program Development

For more information, contact programdev@shsu.edu