Recent changes adopted by the Oregon University System further streamline the process for system approval of new academic programs.   The most significant change is that OUS no longer requires a pre-proposal round of review.  In lieu of a pre-proposal, the Provost at each institution is required to notify the OUS academic Council that his or her institution plans on submitting a proposal for a new academic program.

The change at the OUS level allows the University of Oregon to modify internal review so as to further streamline the approval process as well as to achieve uniformity for both undergraduate and graduate program proposals.

In order for the Provost to be informed and prepared for new program proposals, our internal process begins with submission to the Office of Academic Affairs of a synopsis of the proposed program (degree or certificate) following approval by the appropriate Dean.  The synopsis should be concise and prepared according the guidelines in the attached outline.

All proposals should be prepared according to the OUS guidelines and format.  For all new programs except Certificates use the OUS proposal outline.   Proposals for new for-credit Certificate programs should be prepared using the OUS Certificate outline.

The steps in the internal UO approval process are shown in the attached flow chart.  The primary review bodies are the Undergraduate Council for all programs involving undergraduate education and the Graduate Council for all programs involving graduate education.   The Committee on Courses reviews and must approve all new courses, reports approval of new courses to the UO Senate and prepares the Catalog copy.  Upon final approval of a new academic program, the Committee on Courses includes notice of the program in its curriculum report to the UO Senate.