Procedure for Submitting Proposals for New Options, Concentrations,
or Emphases1
New options, concentrations or emphases, with a few exceptions, may be
approved by the University President and need not be reviewed and approved by the
Office of the Chancellor.2 An option, concentration, or emphasis has been defined for
purposes of system review as an aggregate of courses within a degree designed to give a
student specialized knowledge, competence, or skill.
The steps in the approval process are as follows (see attached flow-chart):
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Department discusses concept proposal with School/College and Graduate Dean
College/School Dean consults with the Provost.
Department develops final proposal (see format guidelines below)
Department/School/College approval (College curriculum committee must approve
and sign off on all accompanying catalog copy change forms and letter of support
secured from the College/School Dean.)
College/School Dean forwards to the Graduate Dean.
University Graduate Committee approval
Academic Senate (Univ. Budget Committee and Executive Committee)
President/Provost approval
Implement the new option, concentration or emphasis
The information required for review and approval of a proposed option, concentration
or emphasis is less detailed than for a full degree major program. An option,
concentration or emphasis in a graduate program need no longer share a common core
requirement of three courses with other options, concentrations, or emphases in the
graduate degree program. Nevertheless, campuses are encouraged to provide that all
students who complete a particular degree program share some common educational
experiences and meet some common academic expectations.
Please note that only degrees and options appear on the diploma. A concentration or
emphasis does not appear on the student’s diploma.
1
This document compiled from information received from the Office of the Chancellor, Division of
Academic Planning and the Committee on Educational Policy.
2
Contact the Office of the Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs or the Division of Graduate
Studies for a list of programs exempted from review and approval by the Office of the Chancellor under the
provisions of Executive Order No. 283.
Requests for approval of an option, concentration, or emphasis should follow the
format below:
1. Name of the school/department submitting the request, the full and exact title of the
proposed aggregate of courses, and whether it is an option, concentration, or
emphasis.
2. Full and exact title of the degree major program under which the aggregate of courses
will be offered, where applicable.
3. Options, concentrations, or special emphases already existing under the degree major
program for which the new aggregate of courses is proposed.
4. Department(s) to offer the aggregate of courses. Include a letter of approval/support
from any department other than the proposing department supplying coursework for
the program.
5. Purpose of the proposed aggregate of courses.
6. State the desired student learning outcomes. Provide a supplement to the degree
program’s Student Outcomes Assessment Plan (SOAP) that addresses the outcomes
and assessment measures for the new aggregate of courses. The SOAP template can
be found at www.csufresno.edu/irap/assessment/SOAP/.
7. Need for the proposed aggregate of courses. (See the suggested resources and
sample surveys on the DGS Web site. Feel free to adapt surveys to meet specific
program needs.)
8. List of the courses (required and elective) for the proposed aggregate of courses, by
catalog number, title, and units of credit, as well as total units to be required for the
degree major in which the proposed aggregate of courses is to be included. Indicate
which program requirements provide common educational experiences for students in
this program.
Note: For convenience, this may be submitted in proposed catalog copy format
with appropriate forms attached.
9. Submit all new catalog copy describing the new aggregate of courses, including new
course proposals for each of the new courses in the proposed option, on the proper
forms (available on Informed Filler). Note: New course request forms require a
complete course syllabus be attached.
10. List of all present faculty members, with rank, appointment status, area of expertise,
who would teach in the proposed aggregate of courses. Note: A minimum of three
tenured or tenure-track faculty required for each option, concentration, or emphasis.
11. Additional instructional resources (faculty, space, equipment, library volumes, etc.)
needed to implement and sustain the proposed aggregate of courses. List all
resources needed for the first five years beyond those currently projected, including
specific resource, cost, and source of funding. Provide completed budget analysis
required by the Budget Committee as outlined in the UBC Budget Analysis
Guidelines.
Revised: DGS 1/10