Curricular Development & New Delivery/Format/Location

Curricular reform requires internal and possibly external approvals. The University Curriculum Council sets most of the process. Moving a program online, to a hybrid format, or to a different location (including Dublin) usually involves a notification and/or approval process, as does suspending or permanently ending admission to a graduate program. Depending on the type and magnitude of the change, additional approvals may be required. Those considering changes to graduate programs are strongly encouraged to consult the Associate Dean of the Graduate College very early in the process to make sure that they have a clear understanding of necessary documentation and likely timeline. New curricula, locations, or delivery modes may not be implemented or advertised until after all relevant approvals are obtained. 

Process for changes to existing programs

Figure 7 details the basic process for determining what approvals are necessary. Some changes may require variations on this process; contact the Associate Dean of the Graduate College for guidance.

Suspension of admissions

The state requires notification when a graduate degree program suspends admissions. A program is considered to have suspended admissions if it stops out of its normal admissions cycle for one or more terms. For example, a program that normally admits for both fall and spring entry suspends admissions if it chooses not to admit for spring in order to address a temporary issue; a program that admits one cohort every two years has suspended admissions if it delays admitting the next cohort. (Changing the admission cycle to a new pattern, for example, from both fall and spring to only fall going forward, is not considered a suspension of admissions.) 

Change in delivery mode

UCC needs to be notified of any change in delivery format. Master’s degrees may now move online without formal notification to CCGS, as long as they are reported by the Graduate College in the fall Annual Report. Doctoral programs must be approved by CCGS to move online. 

Approximate timeline for suspension of or changes to existing programs

The amount of time required for program change approvals depends on the kind and extent of the change. The following timelines are approximate and assume that there are no errors, the proposal encounters no unusually strong objections or denials, and summer does not intervene in UCC processes. Change in location here includes adding/moving Ohio University campus/location or switching between majority on-campus and majority online. These timelines begin after departmental and college approval processes and do not include HLC approval. Depending on the type of change, HLC approval may take anywhere from one week to several months. 

Change in delivery mode or location only

CCGS: min. 1 month, max. 2 ½ months.

Total: 1 – 2 ½ months 

Program title change only or suspension of a degree program

UCC: min. 1 week, max. 1 month

CCGS: min. 1 month, max. 2 ½ months

Total: 1 ½ - 3 ½ months 

figure 7

Curricular change ≤ 50% (not expedited), no change in delivery mode or location, not a new track or concentration

UCC: min. 3 months, normal max. 4 ½ months

Total: 3 – 4 1/2 months 

Anything else

This category includes any curricular change (not expedited) that meets one or more of the following conditions: new title; new track/concentration; or change of delivery mode/location.

UCC: min. 3 months, normal max. 4 ½ months

CCGS: min. 1 month, max. 2 ½ months

Total: 4 – 7 ½ months*

*Curricular changes ≥ 50% may require Board of Trustee approval (1-3 additional months)

figure 8

Developing a new program involves many steps. Please consult the Associate Dean of the Graduate College for guidance. Figure 8 above highlights most of the approval steps required for developing a new program. No new program may be advertised until all steps are completed.

Graduate certificates requiring fewer than 21 credit hours—i.e., all certificates currently permitted under UCC policy—do not need state-level review or approval, and they are included as informational items only for the Board of Trustees at the end of the academic year.

Degree programs which intend to charge a program fee in addition to the normal graduate tuition or to charge different General Fees—most commonly online programs—must seek approval from the university, including the Ohio University Board of Trustees. To initiate the process, please contact the Associate Provost for Academic Budget & Planning. 

The academic department needs to work with the Offices of the Registrar, Bursar, Institutional Research, Graduate College, and Financial Aid to ensure correct settings within the Student Information System (PeopleSoft). Programs charging additional fees are responsible for ensuring that student accounts are set so that tuition rates are correctly assessed.