When instituting a new degree program leading to a degree or a certificate, departments must submit proposals to the Office of Academic Affairs, after the necessary college approval processes.New program proposals are generally written by individual faculty members or committees in conjunction with their department and, when appropriate, in collaboration with one or more other departments.

Review Process for New Programs

The Educational Policy Advisory Committee (EPAC) reviews all proposals for new degree programs with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. In addition, the Vice Chancellor consults with the Deans' Forum (formerly Council for Academic Deans) and the Faculty Senate prior to recommending new programs or minors to the Chancellor. New graduate programs are also reviewed by the UN Executive Graduate Council and the UNO Graduate Council prior to submission to the Board of Regents. All new programs must be approved by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

All proposed programs must be reviewed at the department and college levels prior to submission to the Office of Academic Affairs. The proposing college dean should include a cover memo indicating that that reviews have taken place. Proposals should follow the proposal formats below. The proposal formats have been approved by Central Administration for proposals submitted ot the Board of Regents and CCPE.

New Minors

New minors are reviewed by the EPAC, Deans' Forum, and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. New minors are generally acted on at the campus level. Changes to existing programs are typically the prerogative of departmental faculties. However, changes should be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs. Proposals for new minors should follow the following format:

1. Need for the program, including potential demand,
2. Objectives and rationale for the program,
3. Relationship of the program to priorities as identified in the role and mission statement and relevant planning documents,
4. Clientele to be served,
5. Resource implications, including need for new resources (e.g., faculty, equipment, library materials, computer support, etc.),
6. Curriculum, indicating existing courses and courses to be developed, and
7. Governance and administration (when minors are interdisciplinary).