Program Approval Process

Note:  Proposals for any new program, option, certificate, or minor require the department to (i) contact the Dean of Kent Library to request a review of library holdings and needs in support of the new program, (ii) carefully characterize the anticipated demand for the program using surveys of prospective students and assessment of external industry or market factors, and (iii) consult Institutional Research on the appropriate CIP code, with care taken to align the CIP code with any similar existing programs.

New Program

1. A proposal for a new program (bachelor's, master's, certificate) is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department. Proposals should be submitted using the required MDHE New Program Proposal for Routine Review form.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. If the proposed new program requires courses offered by departments other than the proposing department, written approval from the additional departments is obtained before the program is taken to college council.
4. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration.  (Note: Graduate programs go to Graduate Council prior to consideration by Academic Council.)
5. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
6. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposal is submitted to the President for Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approval.
7. Upon approval by the Board of Regents, the proposal is submitted to the Missouri Department of Higher Education for Coordinating Board for Higher Education review and approval.
8. Once approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the new program is considered approved. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, Registrar, and Director of Institutional Research.

New Option

1. The MDHE Program Change Request for Staff Review is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. If the proposed new option requires courses offered by departments other than the proposing department, written approval from the additional departments is obtained before the proposal is taken to college council.
4. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration.  (Note: New graduate degree options go to Graduate Council prior to consideration by Academic Council.)
5. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
6. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposal is submitted to the President for Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approval.
7. Once approved by the Board of Regents, the proposal is submitted to the Missouri Department of Higher Education for Coordinating Board for Higher Education review and approval.
8. Once approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the option is considered approved. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, Registrar, and Director of Institutional Research.

New Minor

1. A proposal for a new minor is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department. Proposals should use Southeast's Guidelines and Format for Proposed Minor form.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. If the proposed new minor requires courses offered by departments other than the proposing department, written approval from the additional departments is obtained before the proposal is taken to college council.
4. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration.
5. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
6. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposal is submitted to the President for Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approval.
7. Once approved by the Board of Regents, the minor is considered approved. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, Registrar, and director of Institutional Research.

Deletion of an Existing Program (major, option, or certificate)

1. The MDHE Program Change Request for Staff Review is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration.  (Note: Graduate programs go to Graduate Council prior to consideration by Academic Council.)
4. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
5. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposal is submitted to the President for Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approval.
6. Once approved by the Board of Regents, the proposal is submitted to the Missouri Department of Higher Education for Coordinating Board for Higher Education review and approval.
7. Upon approval of MDHE, the program deletion is final. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, Registrar, and Director of Institutional Research.

Change in Program Title or CIP Code of an Existing Program

1. The MDHE Program Change Request for Staff Review is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration.
4. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
5. Upon approval by the Provost, in consultation with the President, the proposed change is submitted to the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
6. Once approved by MDHE, the change is considered approved. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, Registrar, and Director of Institutional Research.

Significant Curriculum Change in an Existing Program

1. A proposal for a significant change in a program is prepared, typically by a faculty member or a committee of faculty members, and brought before the department. Proposals may be submitted in a standard memorandum with accompanying materials showing the curriculum both before and after the proposed change.
2. The department reviews the proposal, and if approved, it is submitted to the appropriate college council.
3. If the proposed change involves courses offered by departments other than the proposing department, written approval from the additional departments is obtained before the proposal is taken to college council.
4. The college council and dean review the proposal. After approval by the college council and the dean, the dean submits the proposal to Academic Council for consideration. (Note: Prior to consideration by Academic Council, graduate programs go to Graduate Council, and changes involving General Education curriculum go to General Education Council.)
5. Once endorsed by Academic Council, the proposal is submitted to the Provost for approval.
6. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposal is considered approved. The Office of the Provost notifies the dean, chairperson, and Registrar of approval.