To be used for any new proposal that will require investment of resources (money, consultants, loading). See Checklist at bottom as resource.

STAGE 1

Develop Investigative Statement

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: 

• If a program proposal emerges from outside an academic department, the investigative statement will be sent to the program director 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). If the proposal is approved for further investigation, Dean/Associate Provost and Council will respond with questions to be investigated during Stage 2.

STAGE 2

Develop Preliminary Proposal

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 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 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 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. Multi-Year Budget Projections (Use New Program Budget Template)

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 September 24, 2020