Academic Program Proposal Checklist
If a pre-proposal has not been approved for this program, it must be completed prior to this full proposal.
This checklist is designed to give the person proposing a new program a step-by-step guide to complete
the program proposal process. The checklist notes who completes each step so the proposer can keep
track of where the proposal is in the process. This checklist should be used in conjunction with the New
Program Proposal Process Flowchart.
If differential tuition is needed for the new program, it is likely that additional time will be needed for that
process.
Submit forms to the VPAA at vpaa@unlv.edu.
Please contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA), 702-895-1267, with any
questions.
Check
when
complete
Who
completes
this step
Proposer
Proposer
Proposer;
Chair or
director
What needs to be done
Complete the Academic Assessment Plan and the New Program Proposal
Coversheet (proposer must sign coversheet) for the new program and submit it to the
Office of Academic Assessment for approval and signature.
Once the Academic Assessment Plan is approved, it is to be copied and pasted into
the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Academic Program Proposal Form,
items C and D.
Concurrently, submit library resources required (journals, monographs, books,
databases, etc.) electronically to the Lied Libraries for Collection Development review
at librarycdm@unlv.edu and obtain a response. Also request from the Libraries the
value of existing materials both printed and electronically, as required on the NSHE
Five-Year Budget Projection. The response is to be appended to the NSHE
Academic Program Proposal Form and entered into the NSHE Five-Year Budget
Projection.
If a graduate program is being proposed, ensure that all Graduate College
requirements are met. Consult the Graduate Catalog and the Graduate College.
Although the proposal form does not specifically ask for these items, they must be
covered:
- Will the program require an interview of the candidate?
- Include information about the thesis committee, prospectus, and defense
requirements.
- Comprehensive or discipline specific exams and what happens if a student fails?
Are retakes allowed? How many? Is there a waiting period that must be
observed? Will the student be placed on probation? Will they be allowed to start
their clinical rotation, if applicable?
Complete the following documents in the formats specified:
1. NSHE Academic Program Proposal Form (Word document); append letters of
support (can be PDF).
2. Five-Year Budget Projection (Excel spreadsheet).
Proposer forwards the packet containing all documents listed immediately above to
the chair or director.
The chair or director approves it by signing coversheet and forwards the packet to the
college or school dean.
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Academic Program Proposal Checklist
Dean
EVP&P,
VPAA,
Graduate
College
Dean (if a
graduate
degree)
Dean completes a Dean’s Memo (Word document) supporting the proposal and
appends it to the packet.
Dean approves Academic Assessment Plan, NSHE Academic Program Proposal
Form, and Five-Year Budget Projection by signing the Coversheet.
Assemble documents in the formats specified below, in this order:
1. New Program Proposal Coversheet
2. Dean’s Memo (Memo is to be a Word document)
3. NSHE Academic Program Proposal Form (Word document, letters of support can
be a PDF)
4. NSHE Five-Year Budget Projection (Excel spreadsheet)
Submit the documents electronically to the VPAA at vpaa@unlv.edu and copy
proposer and chair/director.
The full proposal will be reviewed by the Executive Vice President and Provost
(EVP&P), VPAA, and Graduate College Dean (if a graduate degree) and a meeting
scheduled for questions.
If proposal is approved the proposer submits to:
Undergraduate - Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee.
Proposer
VPAA
AAC
ASA &
BOR
BOR
VPAA
Graduate - Dean of the Graduate College and the New Program & Program
Revisions Committee.
Faculty Senate or Graduate College approves and informs proposer and VPAA.
If approved, VPAA sends proposal to the (NSHE) Academic Affairs Council (AAC) for
review and approval.
Proposal is reviewed by AAC and VPAA is notified of the Council’s decision.
If approved by AAC, it is placed on the next quarterly meeting agendas for Board of
Regents (BOR) Academic & Student Affairs Committee (ASA) and the BOR.
Board reviews proposal and renders decision.
If approved by the BOR, the campus is notified through a Provost Alert which allows
catalog actions to begin.
The VPAA notifies the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities (NWCCU)
for inclusion in the university’s accreditation. When the approval letter is received it
will be forwarded electronically to the chair/director.
Proposer
Undergraduate:
Submit new or revised courses to the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee.
Proposer
Graduate:
Submit new or revised courses to the Graduate College Curriculum Committee.
Registrar
Open admissions and enrollment to the new program.
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Academic Program Proposal Checklist
Reminder: Program will be reviewed at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years from its effective date.
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