Submit 1 copy of the proposal form and 25 copies of the supporting documentation as outlined below to the Curriculum Coordinator, University Faculty Senate, 101 Kern Graduate Building. The proposals will be transmitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for consideration by the Graduate School’s Subcommittee on New and Revised Programs and Courses, and the Committee on Programs and Courses. For a detailed explanation of the form, see the Guide to Curricular Procedures.

Indicate effective date ________________________

Indicate effective date _________________________

All proposals must include a justification statement for action being taken. Submit 1 copy of the proposal form and 25 copies of the supporting documents to the University Curriculum Coordinator at the University Faculty Senate Office. It is important that the proposal include a copy of the program in a format suitable for inclusion in the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin. Prepare documentation in the outline format as shown below. The proposer is reminded that the Subcommittee and Committee reviewing the proposed program may not have knowledge of the field and is encouraged to provide as much documentation as possible for the reviewers. All proposals, whether a new program or a program change, must be consecutively paginated or the proposal will be returned to the proposing unit. In addition, a table of contents needs to be included in the proposal.

1. The objectives of the program: an explanation of how the proposal meets the new educational objectives and/or strengthens existing programs of the college(s) and the University; what students may expect to accomplish through the new program; and a statement of how the new offering does not duplicate other degree programs within the department/college/University.
2. A list of new courses to be established as a part of the new offering.
3. A complete program statement. This should be an arrangement of courses in accordance with degree requirements and with identification of the pattern of scheduling. A list of the required courses, typical electives, etc. that will logically be taken by a student enrolling in the new program should be included. Courses that are new courses should be distinguished from existing courses. Any statement must be submitted in a format for bulletin copy with additional material if necessary (provide both a hard copy and on diskette).
4. A statement of admission requirements should be included, i.e., required test scores, minimum junior/senior GPA, as deemed appropriate by the proposer.
5. A justification for the program. The proposal should include a statement regarding the necessity for the program, i.e., why the program should be offered; and information on the ability of the department to offer a quality program. Included in the section should be the projected size of the program and its impact on current course offerings and faculty load as well as additional faculty advising duties.
6. A justification for the degree title used*. The academic degree titles (M.S., M.A., Ph.D.) are to be used only for degree programs that are research-oriented. A professional degree title will be more appropriate for programs that, for example, emphasize practical application of knowledge; programs that emphasize professional development for advancement in specific careers but with a more practitioner orientation; programs that prepare students for licensure in a given field; and masters programs that are not intended to prepare students for doctoral study. If a professional master's degree is being proposed, the title Master of Professional Studies in X should be used, unless a different degree title is well established nationally. If a professional degree title other than M.P.S. is proposed, evidence must be provided that the degree title is nationally established. This evidence could include existence of an accrediting body or a list of existing programs already using the degree title.
   
7. Accreditation: The proposal should include information regarding any accrediting body for the proposed program area, i.e., is there an accrediting body or board (if so, please identify); or, if appropriate to the field, will the program prepare students for licensure in the field? Programs for which accreditation exists must pursue and achieve full accreditation.
8. Include written response from departments affected.

1. A revised version of the affected area showing both the old program requirements and the new program requirements (so that the reviewers can determine what specifically is being changed). The proposal should include a side-by-side comparison of entry requirements, number of credits required, specific courses to be taken, etc. A copy of the revision to the Graduate Bulletin copy must be included, and the proposer is requested to use underlining, bolding, or italics to indicate changes.
2. A justification for changes made, such as updating instruction, together with an indication of expected enrollments and any effects on existing programs.
3. Include written response from departments affected by the changes.

1. A justification for the requested drop.
2. Include written response from departments affected by the change.

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*An option is "a specialization within a major that involves at least one-third of the course work credits required for the major, but need not be more than 18 credits." All options within a major must have in common at least one-fourth of the required course work credits in the major. A student can only be enrolled in an option within his/her major. All programs are encouraged to use option in lieu of emphasis or track when preparing program changes or proposing new program specializations.

**A minor must be in one of the approved graduate degree programs offered at Penn State or a formal graduate minor program that has been approved by the Graduate Council and should provide valuable intellectual and/or professional breadth and depth to a student’s program. A minor must consist of a minimum of 15 credits for doctoral programs and 6 credits for master’s programs.

Prepared by the Committee on Programs and Courses 1996
Revised by the Committee on Programs and Courses 2003

All course proposals (add, change, and drop) must be submitted electronically via the Course Submission and Consultation System (CSCS), which can be accessed through the ANGEL Course Management System at https://cms.psu.edu/.

If you have any questions regarding the Graduate Program, Option, or Minor Proposal Form, please contact the Curriculum Coordinator Area of the Faculty Senate Office at 814-863-1202.