Section 1030.60  Degree Authorization under the 1961 Act

a)         Criteria for New Degree Programs

The Board requires that a non-public institution demonstrate that it can maintain and operate a new degree program which meets the standard criteria for such degree programs. The following standard criteria are designed to measure the appropriateness of the stated educational objectives to the degree programs of a given institution and the extent to which suitable and proper processes have been developed for meeting those objectives:

1)         The objectives of the degree program(s) must be consistent with what the degree program title(s) imply.

2)         The requested degree program shall be congruent with the purpose, goals, objectives and mission of the institution.

3)         The caliber and content of the curriculum shall assure that the stated degree objectives for which the program is offered will be achieved.

4)         The institution shall have adequate and suitable space, equipment and instructional materials to provide education of suitable quality.

5)         The education, experience, and other qualifications of directors, administrators, supervisors, and instructors shall ensure that the students will receive education consistent with the objectives of the program.

6)         The information which the institution provides for students and the public shall accurately describe the degree programs offered, program objectives, length of program, schedule of tuition, fees, and all other charges and expenses necessary for completion of the course of study, cancellation and refund policies, and such other material facts concerning the institution and the program or course of instruction as are likely to affect the decision of the student to enroll. Such information shall be available to prospective students prior to enrollment.

7)         Fiscal and personnel resources shall be sufficient to permit the institution to meet obligations to continuing programs while assuming additional resource responsibilities for the new degree program.

b)         Procedures for Obtaining Authority to Award One or more New Degrees

The Board shall approve all new degree programs in institutions described in 1030.10(b).  Following is a description of the steps in the approval process:

1)         New Degree Program Request

A)        The institution requesting permission to offer a new degree program will complete an application provided by the Board.

B)        Information to be provided by the institution shall include:

i)          program titles and descriptions,

ii)         program objectives,

iii)         curriculum,

iv)        relationship of new programs to existing programs,

v)         faculty,

vi)        recommendation of internal governance bodies,

vii)        facilities,

viii)       finances, and

ix)        program publicity information.

2)         Governing Board Approval

The application shall be approved by the institution's governing board prior to submission to the Board.

3)         Submission of the Application

Applications shall be submitted to the Board prior to December 1 of the year preceding the academic year in which the institution plans to start the new program.

4)         Board Staff Analyses

Following receipt of the application, Board staff will review and analyze the application and documentation submitted.

5)         Additional Documentation and Site Visit

In the case of a proposed new degree program where Board staff determines it is necessary to verify or supplement the information supplied in the application, the staff may request additional written documentation and/or arrange for a site visit, or both.

6)         Outside Consultants

The Executive Director of the Board, at his discretion, may utilize the services of outside consultants to assist the staff in a site visit and in the evaluation of the documentation submitted.

7)         Staff Report

Following the staff analysis, Board staff will summarize its findings and develop a recommendation to the Board regarding the new degree program request. This recommendation will be shared with the applicant. This recommendation will be one of the following:

A)        That the degree program(s) be approved to admit students at the beginning of the next term and the appropriate degree(s) be awarded upon program completion; or

B)        For institutions applying after July 1, 1979, that the appropriate degree(s) be awarded no sooner than one year after the approval date; or

C)        That the degree authority requested not be granted.

8)         Staff Recommendations to the Board

The Executive Director of the Board will submit the staff recommendation for action to the Board at a regular meeting. The Chief Executive Officer of the institution, or his designee, will be invited to attend and comment on the recommendation. In the event the staff recommendation is negative, the applicant shall be given an opportunity to respond in writing. This response shall be transmitted to the Board at the same time as the staff recommendation.

9)         Board Action

Following the Board's decision to approve or deny the degree-granting request, a letter signifying the action will be sent from the Executive Director of the Board to the Chief Executive Officer of the institution. A letter of approval will serve as official authorization for the institution to award the stated degree(s).

10)         Awarding Degrees

Institutions applying after July 1, 1979 shall not award new degrees until one year after authorization by the Board to do so.

11)         New Application

Any institution denied approval to award a new degree must file a new application in order to be given subsequent consideration for approval.

12)         Advertising of Degree Programs

Recruitment and informational materials for institutions with developing degree programs should either refer only to those degree programs for which the Board has granted authority or clearly distinguish between authorized degrees and pending degrees.