Quick Guide to Sonoma State Curriculum Change Processes

I. New degree programs (Traditional Two-Phase Method)

Bachelor's degrees
1. Addition to the Master Plan (Prospectus required)
  1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: School, Academic Programs, Academic Planning Committee, EPC, Senate, President, Chancellor's Office, CSU Trustees, CPEC.
  2. Timeline: Campus process complete--March 15
    Chancellor's Office--Fall semester
    Board of Trustees--March 15
2. Formal Program Approval (Full proposal required)
  1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President, Chancellor's Office.
  2. Timeline:
    1. Fall implem.--Campus process complete by Dec. 15
    2. Spring implem.--Campus process compl. by May 15
Graduate degrees
Like Bachelor's degrees except that Graduate Studies reviews before EPC.

II. New degree programs (Fast Track)

A new degree program may be approved on the Fast Track if and only if it a) can be offered at a high level of quality within existing resources or is demonstrably self-supporting; b) is not subject to specialized accreditation; c) can be adequately housed without a major capital outlay project; d) is consistent with all existing state, federal, and trustee's policies; e) is at the bachelor's or master's level; f) has been subject to a thorough campus review and approval process.

Bachelor's degrees
1. Formal Program Approval (Full proposal required)
  1. Review/Recommend/Approval: School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President, Chancellor's Office, CSU Trustees, CPEC.
  2. Timeline
    1. Full implem.(August)--campus process complete by Dec. 15.
    2. Limited implem. (January)--campus process complete by June 1.
Master's degrees
Like Bachelor's degrees except that Graduate Studies reviews before EPC.

III. Changes in degree programs

Bachelor's degrees
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President.
2. Timeline: End of odd fall semester for inclusion in next catalog.
Graduate degrees
Like Bachelor's degrees except that Graduate Studies reviews before EPC.

IV. New concentrations, options, and certificate program
(New offerings in areas for which we have existing degree programs with the same hegis codes)

In Bachelor's degree majors
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President.
2. Timeline: End of odd fall semester for inclusion in next catalog.
In Graduate degree majors (hegis codes must match degree program)
Like Bachelor's degrees except that Graduate Studies reviews before EPC.
In which hegis codes do not match existing degree programs
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval as above + Chancellor's Office (EO 602)

V. New Minors

Bachelor's degree programs only
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President.
2. Timeline: End of odd fall semester for inclusion in next catalog.

VI. Revised Concentrations, Options, and Minors

Undergraduate programs
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs, EPC, Senate, President.
2. Timeline: End of odd fall semester for inclusion in next catalog.
Graduate programs
Like Bachelor's degrees except that Graduate Studies reviews before EPC.

VII. New Courses/Revised Courses/Discontinued Courses

Permanent additions/changes/discontinuations
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs, EPC (currently via periodic "New, Modified, Discontinued Courses Bulletin).
2. Timeline: End of odd fall semester for inclusion in next catalog.
Experimental courses
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Department, School, Academic Programs.
2. Timeline: Rolling.
Extended Education courses
1. Review/Recommendation/Approval: Most closely related department, Ext. Ed.
2. Timeline: