Preparation & Review of New Programs
& Substantially Modified Current Programs

Undergraduate & Masters Programs

New (and Substantially Modified)* Program Proposals: Preparation and Review

Steps To Follow

#1. Familiarize yourself with the Required Stages in Curriculum Review Process.

#2. Review and follow the Flowchart and Timelines for Program Approval.

#3a. Prepare a Program proposal: Follow the New Program Proposal Form. Use this proposal form for all new undergraduate and master’s level program proposals. Download this word document to your computer. Add information to this word document and save your changes as you proceed with filling this form. Be sure to provide all of the information required and use the exact numbering system in the proposal form. Use this same proposal form for modifications to a currently registered program which represent 20% or more revision of a total program, i.e., a substantially modified program proposal.

#3b. Information on Program Financial Viability is expected to be included as part of the proposal. In order to prepare this revenue and cost analysis information, consultation with RIT’s Finance and Administration Division is necessary. Schedule a meeting with Jackie Taylor, Director of Partnership Relationships. Prior to this meeting, review the “Financial Projection Checklist”. Section 4 and Appendix G of the New Program Proposal Form focuses on resource information.

#4 Remember: external review by a recognized expert in the field who has been approved in advance by the New York State Education Department is required for certain types of proposals:

• All graduate degree programs below the doctoral level
• Undergraduate degree programs in an allied health area, unless the program is accredited by an accrediting body for college-level programs in the field
• Undergraduate programs which represent a new or emerging field

#5. If an external review is required, program proposers should contact the Senior Associate Provost as early as possible to begin the consultative process with the State to identify the external reviewer. The program proposer should send the Sr. Associate Provost the suggested names and CV’s of two recognized experts in the field from outside New York State who have no direct affiliation with RIT for this vetting and approval by NYSED.

#6. External evaluators are required to use the evaluator report form in preparing their response.

#7. Don’t forget that the program proposer is required to provide a response to the external evaluation including information on how the program proposal was modified in response to the reviewer’s comments.

#8. Following completion of all internal curriculum review and approval procedures outlined in Step #1 above, prepare the New York State Education Department Program Registration Materials.

You will be able to easily cut and paste information from the RIT New Program Proposal Form into the NYSED form. Additional instructions are found with the New York State Registration Form.

#9. The proposed program may not be advertised or admit students until approval has been granted and formal authorization received from NYSED.