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University Academic Affairs

Academic Program and Organizational Approvals 

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) manages academic program approvals at the university level, including the development of new degree and stand-alone certificate programs, as well as changes to existing academic programs and organization.

CLU Contacts

Proposing units must follow the review and approval processes within individual CLUs before initiating the approval process at the university level. CLU contact information is provided below.

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 May 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) for new programs 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 May 15 during the spring semester to ensure adequate notice to institutional review and approval authorities.

    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.

    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) for new programs once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed certificate program to move forward.

    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. If the certificate is to be offered online, then a proposal needs to be coordinated with Rutgers Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT@docs.rutgers.edu). 

  • 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 a department or unit name change request, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed change to move forward.

    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 establishing, modifying, or removing an academic department, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposal to move forward.

    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) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed change to move forward.

    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 requesting a nomenclature change, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed nomenclature change to move forward.

    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) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed joint degree program to move forward.

    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) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed dual degree program to move forward.

    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) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed request to move forward.

    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) for program changes once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed request to move forward.

    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).

  • Rutgers University, as with other institutions accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is required to report to MSCHE all academic offerings provided in settings outside the university’s campus boundaries. Specifically, the university must secure a substantive change approval from MSCHE prior to offering 50% or more of a degree or certificate program at a new off-campus location. In cases where less than 50% of a degree program is being offered, the university is only required to notify MSCHE of the new site. 

    MSCHE’s current off-campus locations list for Rutgers may be viewed by clicking here and then using the “Locations” tab. Note the following definitions used by MSCHE for the two types of off-campus locations:

    • Additional Location. A domestic or international facility or location that is geographically separate from the main campus and at which the institution offers at least 50% of an educational program that is credit-bearing or Title IV eligible.
    • Other Instructional Site (OIS). Any off-campus site, other than those meeting the definition of an additional location, at which the institution offers one or more credit-bearing or Title IV eligible courses. 

    During the initial stages of a new location request, the chancellor or their designee must complete an institutional Notice of Intent (NOI) once preliminary approval has been granted for the proposed new location to move forward.

    Adding a new off-campus location requires initial approval from the requesting academic unit’s faculty, department chair, dean, and chancellor. Following these approvals, new location requests are submitted to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA) for review and approval.  

    Upon approval by the EVPAA, the university’s accreditation liaison officer (ALO) will submit the appropriate substantive change request (for an “additional location”) or notification (for an “other instructional site”) to MSCHE. The requesting unit should consult with the ALO as early as possible in the process to ensure that the required paperwork for MSCHE is completed in a timely manner.  Contact the university’s current ALO, Associate Vice President for Academic Assessment & Accreditation, Michele Moser Deegan, for guidance or answers to any questions regarding the addition of new locations, removal of existing locations, or related matters.

Additional templates will be developed over time to provide guidance to academic units.

Programs Recently Approved

  • New Brunswick

    • Doctor of Health Administration
    • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Data Science
    • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Data Science

    Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

    • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • 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