Academic Program and Organizational Approvals
The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) manages academic program approvals, including the development of new degree and stand-alone certificate programs, as well as changes to existing academic programs and organization.
Review and Approval Process
The “Review and Approval Matrix" provides academic units with guidance on the required approvals for a variety of programmatic actions. Academic units are encouraged to contact academicplanning@oq.rutgers.edu as early in the process as possible to discuss proposal development, review, and approval requirements.
CLU Contacts
Proposing units must follow the review and approval processes within individual CLUs. CLU contact information is provided below.
- Camden: Naomi Marmorstein, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, or Joseph Tariman, Associate Dean
- Newark: John Gunkel, Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs and Strategic Partnerships, or Jeffrey Robinson, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
- New Brunswick: Saundra Tomlinson-Clarke, Senior Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences: Bishr Omary, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, and Steve Andreassen, Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff
Resources and Templates
The following links provide resources and templates to facilitate review of programmatic actions. Note that certain proposals, such as new degree programs, require submission of a university Notice of Intent (NOI). NOI submission is required between September 1 and November 30 during the fall semester and between January 15 and April 15 during the spring semester to ensure adequate notice to institutional review and approval authorities. Further details on the NOI can be found under the applicable categories below.
-
A degree program is a curriculum leading to the award of a bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree. A listing of the university's approved degree programs is maintained by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE).
Academic units exploring the development of a new degree program should contact academicplanning@oq.rutgers.edu as early in the process as possible to discuss proposal development, review, and approval requirements. The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) will advise and coordinate with the appropriate chancellor-led unit (CLU) contacts to effectively manage the review of the proposed program.
Required Approvals
Units proposing new degree programs should follow the required approvals within their CLU. Upon CLU approval, EVPAA will coordinate institutional review of new degree programs, which includes the following:
- Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA)
- President
- Committee on Academic and Student Affairs (CASA)
- Board of Governors (BOG)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), if necessary
Upon approval by the BOG, EVPAA staff will notify relevant institutional stakeholders of the outcome. EVPAA will manage the registration of the degree program in OSHE’s “Inventory of Program Offerings.”
Notice of Intent (NOI)
During the initial stages of degree program development, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed degree program to move forward. This NOI is separate and distinct from any notifications required by individual CLUs. NOI submission is required between September 1 and November 30 during the fall semester and between January 15 and April 15 during the spring semester to ensure adequate notice to institutional review and approval authorities.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Upon submission, the NOI will be distributed to (1) the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) and (2) chancellors/provosts across Rutgers. Submission of the NOI initiates a 30-day comment period during which EVPAA and chancellors’ offices may submit comments/feedback to the proposing unit. Academic units may continue degree program development during the 30-day comment period; however, the proposing unit must individually respond to comments/feedback received and document such responses in Section 7 (Response to Comments from CLUs) of the degree program proposal.
Templates
Proposing academic units must use the institutional template for new degree programs, which consists of the following. Academic units should carefully review the degree program proposal template and direct questions to academicplanning@oq.rutgers.edu.
- Degree Program Proposal Template [DOCX]
- Degree Program Budget Template [XLS]
- External Consultant Selection Criteria [DOCX]
- External Consultant Report Format [DOCX]
Converting an Option/Concentration to Full Program Status (Waiver Request)
Academic units proposing the establishment of a new degree program must follow the approval requirements for a new degree program. However, when converting an existing option or concentration to full program status, an academic unit may request a waiver from the full process. When requesting a waiver from the full process, a review of the converted option/concentration by an external consultant is optional. The chancellor will review requests for waivers on a case-by-case basis.
Online Degree Programs
The pilot “Consultation Process for New Fully Online Degree Programs,” which will be facilitated by the Office of the EVPAA, is required for all new fully online degree programs and new fully online versions of existing degree programs. The consultation process will commence at the request of a chancellor and/or their designee and must be completed prior to other stages in the appropriate new program approval process. Additional information on this pilot program and the consultation form may be found below. Please send any feedback you may have regarding this pilot program to academicplanning@oq.rutgers.edu.
-
Online Degree Programs
The pilot “Consultation Process for New Fully Online Degree Programs,” which will be facilitated by the Office of the EVPAA, is required for all new fully online degree programs and new fully online versions of existing degree programs. The consultation process will commence at the request of a chancellor and/or their designee and must be completed prior to other stages in the appropriate new program approval process. Additional information on this pilot program and the consultation form may be found below. Please send any feedback you may have regarding this pilot program to academicplanning@oq.rutgers.edu.
-
Stand-alone certificate programs are certificates that may be earned and awarded outside of a degree program.
During the initial stages of certificate program development, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed certificate program to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
A new stand-alone certificate program requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, new stand-alone certificate requests are submitted to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for final review and approval. Proposed stand-alone certificates are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
Early in the process for a proposed stand-alone certificate, the offering school must contact Jean Rash (Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management) for a pre-review to receive guidance concerning current federal gainful employment requirements.
-
CIP Code change requests require initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, CIP Code change requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for final review and approval.
-
Requests for a change of credit requirement require initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, requests for a change of credit requirement are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for final review and approval.
-
During the initial stages of establishing, modifying, or removing an academic department, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposal to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Establishing, modifying, or removing an academic department requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for final review and approval. Requests to establish, modify, or remove an academic department are submitted as an action item to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
During the initial stages of a degree designation change request, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed change to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Changing a degree designation requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, degree designation change requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Degree designation changes are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
During the initial stages of a department or unit name change request, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed change to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
A department or unit name change requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, department or unit name change requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Department or unit name changes are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
During the initial stages of requesting a nomenclature change, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed nomenclature change to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Nomenclature changes require initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, nomenclature change requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Nomenclature change requests are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
In Joint Degree Programs, two institutions or two units from the same institution together offer one degree. Both units appear on a single diploma.
During the initial stages of a request to create a joint degree program, from two existing programs, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed joint degree program to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
A joint degree program requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, new joint degree programs are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Joint degree program requests are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
Dual Degree Programs are two sequential or concurrent degrees cooperatively offered by two institutions or units at the same institution—with minimal amount of shared coursework.
During the initial stages of a request to create a dual degree program, from two existing programs, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed dual degree program to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
A dual degree program requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, new dual degree programs are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for final review and approval. Dual degree program requests are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs). Dual degrees offered by both Rutgers and another institution require a Memorandum of Understanding.
-
During the initial stages of a request to add a new partner to an existing degree program, chancellors or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed request to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Adding a new partner to an existing degree program requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, requests to add a new partner to an existing degree program are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Requests to add a new partner to an existing degree program are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
-
During the initial stages of a request to add a new partner to a certificate program, chancellors or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed request to move forward.
The NOI will be facilitated through the use of an online system to which Chancellors’ designees will have access. Proposing units can assist with this process by completing the Data Collection Form for the Notice of Intent (NOI). This form is intended to assist the Chancellors’ designees with the entering of the required information into the NOI online system.
Adding a new partner to an existing certificate program requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, requests to add a new partner to an existing certificate program are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval. Requests to add a new partner to an existing certificate program are submitted as information items to the Board of Governors (including the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs).
Additional templates will be developed over time to provide guidance to academic units.
Programs Recently Approved
-
New Brunswick
- Doctor of Health Administration
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art
- Master of Science in Finance – Wealth Management Track (Online)
- Master of Professional Studies in Emerging Media
- Master of Arts in Emerging Media
- Master of Science in Data Science
- Master of Science in Prevention Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Prevention Science
Newark
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in ESL and Bilingual Urban Education
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Urban Secondary Education
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography
- Master of Science in Epidemiology
-
Camden
- Master of Business and Science in Computer and Information Sciences
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Diagnostic Cytopathology
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion
Newark and New Brunswick
- Doctor of Business Administration
New Brunswick
- Master of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Master of Health Communication and Information
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy Doctorate
-
Camden
- Master of Science in Forensic Science
Newark and New Brunswick
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Japanese
- Bachelor of Arts in Korean
- Master of Fine Arts in Design
- Master of Public Informatics
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
Newark
- Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
- Master of Applied Psychology
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
- Master of Science in Health Professions Education
-
Newark
- Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior
- Master of Science in Management Research
Newark and New Brunswick
- Master of Science in Supply Chain Analytics
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science
- Master of Engineering in Energy Systems
- Master of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Master of Philosophy in Planning and Public Policy
- Master of Philosophy in Women’s and Gender Studies
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Arts in Digital Studies
- Master of Science in Public Affairs
Newark and New Brunswick
- Master of Science in Business of Fashion
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Master of Business and Science in Computer and Information Sciences
- Master of Business and Science in Engineering Management
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Philosophy in Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics
- Master of Science in Global Sport Business
- Master of Science in Packaging Engineering
-
Camden
- Master of Science in Taxation
Newark and New Brunswick
- Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking
- Bachelor of Science in Entomology
- Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Design
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
- Master of Financial Analysis
- Master of Arts in Higher Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education
- Master of Science in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (with Thomas Edison State University)
- Master of Science in Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics
-
Camden
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Computational and Integrative Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Science in Physics
- Master of Arts for Teachers in Foreign Language
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Science in Public Policy
- Master of Arts in East Asian Languages and Cultures