To be used for any new proposal that will require investment of resources (money, consultants, loading). See Checklist at bottom as resource. See below for special procedures for non-credit programs.

STAGE 1

Develop Investigative Statement

Provide a one-page description of an idea for a new undergraduate major or graduate 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.

Economic implications for existing programs, school, or university operating budget(s) (e.g. increase or decrease in SH/FTE; equipment or facility needs).
Implications for other programs. (e.g. impacting, positively or negatively, the enrollment in particular courses or programs; catalyzing the closure of any existing programs; creating scheduling challenges; creating tuition splitting challenges; or impacting availability of facilities)
For UG program proposals, address any implications for the EMU core.
Identification of any required specialized accreditation or quality assurance requirements (e.g., disciplinary accreditation, state licensing compliance requirements, etc.)
Proposed Curriculum Outline (include both proposed new and established courses). Prior to submission, review curriculum and program structure with institutional effectiveness office to ensure alignment with accreditation requirements.
Program modality: face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online
Admissions requirements and any transfer credit policies
Tuition price point
Analysis of market demand and competition
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, CFO, 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

In collaboration with the project proposal manager and other appropriate stakeholders, faculty/proposer will develop the final proposal to include the following sections:

Program Title and Description
Fit with EMU Mission and Strategic Plan
Determination of Need
Curriculum: Course titles, descriptions, and core objectives
Delivery Modality(ies)
Admissions and graduation requirements, transfer credit policies (if any)
Student learning outcomes and assessment plan
Administrative Oversight
Library and Learning Resources
Student Support Services
Three-Year Budget Projections (Use New Program Budget Template)
Proposed timeline for launch, including identification of the first semester that students can officially be enrolled in the program (and any policies required to clarify the process by which current students transfer into the program)

To be approved by:

Dean/Associate Provost and CFO
Academic Council: Curriculum Approval (see Academic Council Curriculum Change Proposal Form)
Provost’s Council: Program Approval
President’s Cabinet
Board of Trustees, if required
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.

NON-CREDIT PROGRAM PROPOSAL PROCESS

Stage 1

For non-credit programs, STAGE 1 above applies in order to secure appropriate early approvals.

Stage 2

Upon receiving approvals required in the first stage, STAGE 2 consists of a proposal including the following sections:

Non-Credit Program Proposal

Sponsor name
General Program Description
Analysis of Market Demand and Competition
Audience
Fit with EMU values and strategic plan
Training curriculum outline
Procedures and prerequisites for entry
Requirements for completion
Credential(s) earned
Accreditation considerations
Resource considerations
1. Staff hiring/training
2. Administrative oversight needs
3. Learning resources
4. Anticipated learner support
5. Potential partnerships
3-year projected budget
Proposed timeline for launch, including identification of the first semester that students can officially be enrolled in the program