New Degree Program Intent Document Process

The development of a new degree program begins with the submission of a New Degree Program Intent Document to the Office of the Vice Provost. RIT uses a streamlined approach for new undergraduate and graduate degree program ideas to ensure that potential new programs are vetted within the proposing college and across the university before a full proposal is developed. All new programs are required to follow the Intent Document process, which is defined in RIT Policy D01.0 (Policies for Curriculum Development), Section IV (Academic Programs), Item C1 (Intent Document).

This process is for degree programs only. Certificate and Advanced Certificate programs are exempt from the Intent Document Process, as are new Minors and Immersions.

The submission deadlines for new Intent Documents (and resubmissions) for bachelor’s and master’s programs are February 15 and October 15. Intent Documents for proposed doctoral programs are on a rolling schedule and can be submitted at any time.

The first step for all new degree program intent documents is a market analysis to ensure that there is sufficient demand for the proposed program. Visit this page to learn more about this requirement and to request a market analysis from Enrollment Management.

If a decision is made to proceed, the next step is to prepare an Intent Document.

The proposer(s) of the new program must complete the following actions:

• Prepare an Intent Document that briefly describes the proposed program using the Intent Document template
• Ensure that the Intent Document is vetted and voted upon via traditional college (and department/school) curriculum-review channels.
• Affirm support from the Dean(s).
• Send the following required items to the Office of the Vice Provost prior to the deadline (see “Overview” above for deadlines):
  • Completed Intent Document (maximum 2 pages)
  • Market analysis that was prepared by Enrollment Management, which includes their recommendation
  • Assessment of current and incremental resources (faculty, administrative, facilities, library, software, other)
  • Summary of faculty input that was received during the traditional college (and department/school) vetting and voting process
  • Enrollment, persistence, and graduation information for the host college and related degree programs, using the RIT Program Analytics Dashboard
  • If the Intent Document is a doctoral program, include all of the following as an attachment (this is not part of the 2 page Intent Document):
    • Explain RIT’s competitive advantage for the proposed program, as compared to established regional programs and programs at national peer institutions (i.e., what distinguishes the proposed program from existing competitors; why will potential applicants be attracted to it?) and how it contributes to RIT’s Strategic Plan priorities.
    • Discuss how students will be supported through existing faculty research and accompanied funding. Note any additional infrastructure needed to support research.
    • Describe the capacity for long-term program success and sustained viability in research. Discuss the potential for the program to maintain relevancy and prepare students for success in the field now and in the future?
    • List participating faculty with their ranks, departmental affiliation, and current funding levels.

If a New Degree Program Intent Document is rated as a “Low Priority” and not ready to move to full program development, the program faculty may choose to update the document and resubmit for further consideration in a subsequent cycle. 

Submit the revised Intent Document and supporting documents (updated, if applicable) to the Office of the Vice Provost prior to the deadline (see “Overview” section above for deadlines). Be sure to include a brief summary of the modifications that were made.

If the original Intent Document did not include a market analysis, one will be required with resubmission.

If changes to the original Intent Document are limited to addressing the Provost’s feedback on administrative elements of the proposal (resources, timing, etc.) then the Department Chair(s) and Dean(s) can review and approve the resubmission. No additional college-level vetting is needed. 

If changes to the original Intent Document are extensive, involve curriculum, or impact the original market analysis, the Intent Document will need to go back through the entire process, beginning with a new market analysis.

• The Office of the Vice Provost will post the Intent Document online for 45 days to collect community feedback. A notification will be sent to all faculty members, letting them know about the new posting and inviting them to provide feedback.
• The campus vetting page is available here (RIT Faculty/Staff login required)
• Following the vetting period, the Provost will review all of the provided materials and consult with Deans’ Council (if applicable).

• Following the review process, the Provost will assign a priority rating:
  • High Priority: move to full program development immediately
  • Low Priority: not ready to move to full program development
  • No Priority: program idea will not move forward
• The Office of the Provost will notify the initiating Dean(s) regarding the priority rating of Intent Document and next steps, if applicable.

Check the status of previously submitted Intent Documents (RIT Faculty/Staff login required)