This page provides instructions and resources for departments seeking to initiate, alter, or discontinue academic programs. Examples of programs include degrees or majors, minors, distance learning offerings, or core curriculum courses. The approval process for academic programs can be complex, but there are at least three essential levels of review, each of which has specific requirements and processes: college, university, and university system review.

College-level Review

The review process for most academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences consists of the following general steps:

1. Department representatives develop a proposal using the specific format defined by the University Senate Committee on Academic Programs (CAP). The committee's Academic Programs Guide website provides an index of all academic programs reviewed by CAP and the relevant proposal format and university approval processes. (See more below.) Any department that may be affected by the new program should be consulted at this stage. Dean's Office representatives are also available for consultation as proposals are developed (John Medlock and Shelly-Ann Williams).

2. Proposals should be reviewed and approved by the department faculty following the procedures defined by the unit.

3. Following department approval, MS Word versions of the proposal should be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Success (John Medlock, [email protected], 404-413-5107).

4. The Dean's Office reviews the proposal to ensure compliance with college/university/university system requirements. Advisory bodies may participate in the review and resolution of identified issues (e.g., Chairs Council, college administrators, academic support staff).

5. The Dean's Office submits the proposal to the Undergraduate or Graduate Council, as appropriate, for review and a formal vote. The Dean's Office will distribute any academic program proposals to be considered by a council to the full college faculty at least ten business days in advance of the relevant council meeting date. Department representatives may be asked to be present for the meeting.

6. The appropriate council submits the approved proposal to the dean.

7. The dean submits the proposal with an indication of college support to the chair of the Committee on Academic Programs.

University and University System Review

Academic Program creation, revision, or discontinuation requires university-level approval from the Senate Committee on Academic Programs and the university upper administration; and subsequent approval from or interaction with the Georgia Board of Regents and/or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Colleges. As noted above, the Committee on Academic Programs maintains a detailed Academic Programs Guide website that provides guidance on developing proposals for a wide variety of academic programs; and on the approval path different types of programs must follow at the university and beyond.

The Academic Programs Guide also includes additional references for each program type, a glossary of academic programs and common terms, frequently asked questions, recurring abbreviations and acronyms, and additional policies and resources.

Additional Information

Additional questions about academic programs can be addressed to John Medlock ([email protected], 404-413-5107).