Information & Tools for Institutions

Home > For Institutions > Academic Program Approval & Review > Academic Program Approval: Public Institutions > New Degree Programs

new Degree programs

Public institutions seeking new degree programs may file one of the following applications, which are reviewed by Board of Higher Education staff and a visiting review team. Resulting reports and recommendations are then voted upon by the Board of Higher Education.

Expedited Application

An expedited review of new degree program proposals applies only to programs aligned with the mission of an institution and specifically identified as priority programs in a state or community college implementation plan approved by the Board of Higher Education. Expedited applications may be submitted between August 15 and April 15.

Stage I and Stage II Application

A Stage I: Proposal to Plan application may be submitted at any time during the calendar year and will be scheduled for action by the Board of Higher Education within four to six months of submission. A Stage II: Proposal to Implement application may be submitted between August 15 through December 15 and will be scheduled for action by the Board of Higher Education within six months of submission.

Consolidated Application

An alternative process for approval is the submission of a Consolidated Stage I and Stage II Application (Consolidated Application). If an institution has developed a mature program proposal through its internal governance process which incorporates all requirements of the Stage I and Stage II applications, it may submit a Consolidated Application. The proposal will be reviewed within six months of submission.

 

 

Please note: As of March 10, 2008, the office of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
was renamed the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. The name change will be integrated into
prior existing website content gradually over the next few months.

Contact Us | Email the Webmaster | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Accessibility Statement

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. All Rights Reserved. ©2000-2008
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108   617-994-6950