The design team develops a concept proposal following the college’s template for degree program concept proposals and this handbook.
The design team consults with appropriate faculty experts to share the general focus and anticipated design.
The concept paper is reviewed by the School for Graduate Studies and the center recommends it to the Office of Academic Affairs.
The dean transmits the concept proposal to the Assistance Vice President (AVP) for Academic Programs.
The AVP reviews the concept proposal to ensure that it is ready for further review and gathers additional information that may be needed. Once the concept proposal is complete, the AVP also makes a recommendation to the Provost, while at the same time submitting the concept proposal to GSPC.
After considering the proposal, recommendations, and the feedback from GSPC, the Provost approves (or not) the concept for the new degree program. If the concept is approved, the design team begins developing a full program proposal.
Program Proposal
The design team develops the program proposal using “Preparation and Submission of a Formal Proposal for a Graduate Program” from SUNY’s 2005 Guidelines for the Submission of Graduate Program Proposals, available at the SUNY Campus Resource Center. The design team should be working with the SGS dean’s office, as the dean is responsible for the business plan in the proposal.
The design team consults with the relevant faculty experts and appropriate experts outside the college who can help to define and shape the program and expectations.
The design team submits the proposal to the SGS for the center consideration and recommendation.
If approved by the center, the dean considers and recommends the proposal to the Office of Academic Affairs, transmitting the proposal with the business plan to the Assistance Vice President (AVP) for Academic Programs.
The design team and the dean’s office begin work on the letter of intent required by SUNY and identify several external reviewers who may be called upon to conduct the formal review required by SUNY, and collects their CVs.
The AVP finalizes the business plan, reviews the proposal to ensure that it is ready for further review, and gathers additional information that may be needed.
Once the proposal is complete, the AVP posts the proposal for a 30-day comment period, and submits the program proposal to GSPC.
Once the comment period is over, GSPC reviews the feedback and considers the proposal. GSPC communicates its recommendation to the initiators, AVP for Academic Programs and the Senate. If GSPC recommends that the proposal go forward, the GSPC chair also submits it to the Senate for consideration.
In parallel with submission of the letter of intent and the SUNY review and comment period, the Senate considers the proposal. The Senate communicates its recommendation to the initiators, the AVP for Academic Programs, Provost and President.
Letter of Intent
Upon GSPC recommendation to approve the proposal, the AVP for Academic Programs finalizes the letter of intent, gathers the appropriate signatures, and submits the letter of intent and a list of potential external reviewers and their CVs to SUNY.
SUNY posts the program announcement for 30 days to allow other SUNY institutions the opportunity to comment and provide feedback.
SUNY approves the development of the new program and notifies the President.
The AVP for Academic Programs, in consultation with the design team incorporates feedback from SUNY program review process.
External Review
The AVP for Academic Programs submits the list of potential reviewers to SUNY for approval along with the program announcement.
Upon SUNY approval of external reviewers, the AVP for Academic Programs coordinates the external review that includes a site visit.
The AVP for Academic Programs, in consultation with the design team incorporates feedback from external review process.
With the Senate recommendation and the SUNY approval, the AVP for Academic Programs prepares the SUNY submission, gathers the relevant signatures and submits the proposal to SUNY. The president’s signature serves as the college’s approval of the proposal.
SUNY staff review the proposal and if approved, submit it to the New York State Education Department (SED).
SED staff review the proposal and if approved, register the degree program. The notice of registration is forwarded to the SUNY Provost and then to the ESC President.
Timelines
The college considers proposals for new programs on a rolling basis. Each program proposal requires comment periods and multiple approvals. Additionally, the college is not permitted to market a program or enroll students until the New York State Education Department (SED) has registered the program. Thus, initiators need to be aware of steps and timeframes for internal and external review and approval.
For programs with no state licensure or teaching certificate, the deadlines in the sections that follow apply. For licensed professions and teaching certificates, additional time is required for review and approval with SUNY and SED. Consult with the Assistant Vice President for Academic Programs regarding additional requirements.
