New Degrees (2-Year Process)

Proposals for new programs can take up to 2 years to implement. (1) First a Projection Proposal must be approved by the Deans/Provost, and subsequently the CSU Board of Trustees to be included on the Academic Master Plan and (2) the full degree program proposals must be approved by the campus and the Chancellor's Office.

Step-By-Step Process

• Step 1: Notification and Timeline

  • As soon as you know your department is considering proposing a new degree, please notify the Curriculum Office, as well as the college Dean and the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education or the Dean of Graduate Studies. Be sure to review the timeline above and if you have any specific concerns or questions, please share them with the Curriculum Office.  

• Step 2: Projection Proposal

  • Proposal Submission: Submit a New Degree Program Proposal in Curriculog (instructions linked) and attach a completed Projected Degree Proposal.

    Once approved, the proposed degree is submitted to the CSU Academic Master Plan for approval by the Board of Trustees and to SJSU's accrediting body (WSCUC) for substantive change screening.

• Step 3: Detailed Degree Program Proposal

  • Proposal Submission: The New Program Proposal in Curriculog will be routed back to you for submission of the detailed proposal. Complete the Program Proposal Template after meeting with the Curriculum Analyst.

    Reference: 

    1. Budget Template required only if proposing a Special Session program.
    2. CSU Degree Proposal and Approval Process Flowchart [pdf]
    3. Degree Proposal Review Criteria [pdf]
    4. Guidance for Proposing ITEP Programs [pdf]
    5. Trustee Policies on Academic Program Planning [pdf]
    6. Current CSU Academic Master Plan: Campus Academic Plans
    7. CSU Degrees Search
    8. What is a CIP or CSU Degree Code?
    9. Student Roadmaps:

       Required: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, (B3), B4, C1, C2, C1/C2, D, D, E, F, PE, PE, WID, R, S, V (53 units) including American Institutions

       -Area E in first year.
       -Area B4 in first year.
       -Area A2 is a prereq for Area A3.
       -American Institutions courses should be in consecutive semesters, Fall/Spring preferred
       -One year courses (A/B) should be in consecutive semesters. Check to see if only offered Fall/Spring.
       -Completion of core GE (except Area F) and upper division standing required for Areas R, S, V. (enforced)
       -A3 or ENGL 1B/equivalent, upper division standing required for 100W, (enforced)
       -Courses within semesters should be in order of importance (including TTO and whether it’s a prereq for another course)

• Step 4: Approval of New Degree

  • The New Program Curriculog Form will be routed for recommendation for approval as follows: 

    1. Department Curriculum Committee (optional in Curriculog)
    2. Department Chair
    3. College Curriculum Committee/Associate Dean
    4. Undergraduate Studies (UGS) Committee or Graduate Studies and Research (GS&R) Committee
    5. Curriculum and Research Committee
    6. Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education or Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
    7. Provost
    8. Chancellor's Office

    Department Curriculum Committee review and recommendation of approval in Curriculog is an optional. If departments wish to have their department curriculum committees added to Curriculog, please contact the Curriculum Analyst.

    Curriculum approved by the campus, but pending Chancellor's Office final approval may be advertised with a statement that indicates "pending final approval from the CSU Chancellor's Office."

    When your new degree program has been approved, you will receive a notification from the appropriate administrator in the College of Graduate Studies or the Undergraduate Education Office. 

    The Curriculum Office will contact you to review and finalize your final catalog copy and any other necessary steps to implement the program. 

    When the program is approved, the Curriculum Office will create an Academic Plan in PeopleSoft and work with the appropriate campus Admissions offices to include the program in CalState Apply.

    Please do not hesitate to contact the Curriculum Office for any questions or updates on the process as the program is implemented.  

More CSU Resources for New Degree Programs