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The Graduate School's Office of Academic Affairs and Planning coordinates the review of new graduate degree proposals as outlined in the new program proposal flowchart and in accordance with the Higher Education Coordinating Board's (HECB) Program and Facility Approval Policies and Procedures
http://www.hecb.wa.gov/autheval/dpr/documents/GuidelinesProgramandFacilityApproval-Final.pdf
The approval process for new degree programs includes submission to the Office of Academic Affairs and Planning of two documents required by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB): the Planning Notification of Intent (PNOI) and the Full Program Proposal. Certain new degrees may be covered by the HECB’s policy on Moderate Degree Change in lieu of the Full Program Proposal.
New degree programs require Graduate School review, including evaluation by external reviewers, followed by consideration by the Graduate School Council. Proposals are forwarded to the HECB for review and approval by the HECB Education Committee and the full HEC Board, and then to the UW Board of Regents for final approval.
The first stage of new program development is submission of the PNOI to the Office of Academic Affairs and Planning. This document will be distributed to UW stakeholders for a 10-day comment period and then submitted to the HECB for a 30-day public comment period. The outcome of the PNOI process is permission by the HECB to develop a full program proposal. Guidelines for the PNOI are available in the following document:
Planning Notification of Intent Guidelines
After receiving “permission to develop” from the HECB, programs submit a full proposal to the Office of Academic Affairs and Planning, taking into account any comments submitted during the UW or HECB comment periods. The proposal should indicate confirmation of faculty review and approval of the new program (unit level and dean's level, if appropriate).
New Degree Program Proposal Guidelines
Certain proposals, such as adding an MS to an existing PhD, may use the following guidelines for Moderate Degree Change Proposals to receive a streamlined review from the HECB.
Moderate Degree Change Proposal Guidelines
Moderate Degree Change Proposal Form
Office of Academic Affairs and Planning
301 Loew Hall | Box 352191 | Seattle, Washington 98195
Phone: 206.685.3519