To be used for any new proposal that will require investment of resources (money, consultants, loading) 

STAGE 1

Develop Investigative Statement

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A Provide a one-page description of an idea for a new program.   This description includes reasons for a new program, proposed student audience, a brief listing of competitors offering something similar.  This stage can include anecdotal information but should also have enough detail to pique interest and generate further questions for investigation.

To be reviewed by:  The dean, then Provost  

• If a program proposal emerges from outside an academic department, the investigative statement will be sent to the department chair for informational purposes.
• The Investigative statement is submitted to the dean/associate provost for review by Provost’s Council (may be distributed by email, with email responses only).

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• If the proposal is approved for further investigation, Dean/Associate Provost and Council will respond with questions to be investigated

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• during Stage 2.

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STAGE 2

Develop Preliminary Proposal

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The Proposal Project Manager will assemble a proposal development group that includes expertise to address required elements of the proposal. This group will develop a 3-5 page document that responds to questions generated by the Investigative Statement , plus a thorough market demand analysis.  This could include the use of Emsi, or a similar resource, to uncover market data. This document should conclude with a proposed timeline for developing a full proposal.and addresses the following required elements of the preliminary proposal.

1. Economic implications for existing programs, school, or university operating budget(s) (e.g. increase or decrease in SH/FTE; equipment or facility needs).
2. Implications for other programs. (e.g. impacting, positively or negatively, the enrollment in particular courses or programs, creating scheduling challenges, crating tuition splitting challenges; or impacting availability of facilities)
3. For UG program proposals, address any implications for the EMU core.
4. Proposed Curriculum Outline (include both proposed new and established courses)
5. Admissions requirements
6. Tuition price point
7. Analysis of Market Demand
8. Proposed timeline for development of a full proposal

To be reviewed by:  

• The

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• Preliminary Proposal is reviewed by the dean/associate provost, proposal project manager, and an ad hoc admin/faculty innovation review group. Group membership should include

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If approved by the dean to proceed:

•  Preliminary notification to Board of Trustees, if appropriate
•  Present to Undergraduate and/or Graduate Council for discussion.  Comments and recommendations are sent to Dean.

STAGE 3

Full Proposal:

The planning grant funds are used to conduct research (often focus groups or surveys) to develop program details.  The proposal includes

• a working program title and a location for the program (for example, which department/program/school will be responsible for operating the program)
• a marketing plan
• a detailed description of the program including a list of courses
• a section on faculty loading and any new faculty needed
• a section on non-faculty resources needed that includes current resources (development funds, grant funding, equipment, etc.) and any resources that need to be acquired (this includes library resources, space needs, equipment, technology, etc.),
• statements of collaboration from other programs or external partners if applicable.  
• information about accreditation requirements and timeline (SACS, SHEV, professional accreditation bodies)
• a multi- year budget that indicates a break-even point, plus a year beyond that shows margin
• an evaluation plan
• a timeline for implementation
• a timeline for external approval if necessary (and a statement regarding which approvals are needed)

To be reviewed by:

• The full proposal should be reviewed by the Business Office, Financial Aid Office, Marketing & Communications and the Registrar and their concerns addressed.  Results of these reviews are sent to the Dean
• The full proposal should be reviewed by the appropriate academic program(s) with request for comments and faculty endorsement.  Comments and endorsement sent to the Dean

Next, the proposal is sent to the Review Committee, and with their recommendation sent with the Proposal to Cabinet. The committee will also recommend specific financial benchmarks and a reporting schedule for evaluation of the program.  If appropriate, the proposal is reviewed by the Board of Trustees for approval. If approved, a start-up funds up to $5,000 may be awarded for program development, marketing and other expenses. 

When final Cabinet/Board approval is given:

• Document is created stating the name and description of the new program, the date of various approvals, the start date and the primary contact person.  This document is kept in the Provost office
• Notification of the new program and timeline is shared with administrative offices:  Registrar, Business, Financial Aid, Library, International Student Services, SACSCOC Liaison, Institutional Research, Undergraduate and/or Graduate Councils

STAGE 4

Implementation

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• representatives from the following groups: faculty, enrollment, marketing, registrar, financial aid, business office and library. This group will evaluate the proposal for likelihood that the new program could be successful and raise additional questions for consideration in the process of developing the full proposal. If the proposal appears to warrant further development, proceed to Stage 3.
• Present Preliminary Proposal to the Academic Council for additional comments and recommendations; to be communicated to the Proposal Project Manager by the Dean/Associate Provost for consideration in development of the final proposal.

STAGE 3

Develop Full Proposal

The Proposal Project Manager, in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders, will develop the final proposal to include the following sections:

1. Program Title and Description
2. Fit with EMU Mission and Strategic Plan
3. Determination of Need
4. Curriculum:  Course titles, descriptions, and core objectives
5. Delivery Modality(ies)
6. Admissions and Graduation Requirements
7. Student learning outcomes and assessment plan
8. Administrative Oversight
9. Library and Learning Resources
10. Student Support Services
11. 3-Year Budget Projections

To be approved by:

1. Academic Council: Curriculum Approval
2. Dean/Associate Provost
3. Provost’s Council
4. President’s Cabinet
5. Board of Trustees, if required
6. SACSCOC, if required

STAGE 4

New Program Implementation

• Upon approval by President’s Cabinet, Proposal Project Manager identifies Program Implementation Team members and initiates Program Implementation Plan.
• Program launch pending Board of Trustee and SACSCOC approvals, if required.

Approved by Provost Council, October 2019
Revised, fall 2020