To recommend the suspension of a graduate academic program, please prepare a brief proposal with the following relevant information and submit it to the vice provost for graduate studies for consideration:
1. Basic Program Identification
- Program name and CIP code
- Degree level (BA, MS, PhD, certificate, etc.)
- Home department/college
- Effective date for proposed suspension
- Contact person(s)
2. Rationale for Suspension
This is the core justification for suspending the academic program. Your rationale may include academic, financial, institutional, and/or other reasons. Academic Rationale
- Enrollment trends (5–10 years of data)
- Degrees awarded over time
- Student demand (applications, yield, retention)
- Course enrollment patterns
- Faculty capacity relative to student interest
Financial Rationale
- Cost of delivery (faculty FTE, staffing, facilities)
- Revenue generation (tuition, external funding)
- Cost-per-degree awarded
- Budgetary pressures or strategic reallocations
Strategic/Institutional Rationale
- Alignment/misalignment with strategic plan
- Overlap with other programs
- Workforce demand analysis
- Program quality concerns (if relevant)
3. Impact Analysis
Please share who will be affected and how the institution will mitigate harm.
Students
- Number of students currently enrolled
- Pipeline students (prospective admits, conditional admits)
- Options for completing the degree
- Transfer or alternative program pathways
Faculty and Staff
- Tenure-line faculty impact
- Nontenure teaching faculty (NTTF) impact
- Advising and administrative staff implications
- Reassignment, retraining, or termination plans
Other Units
- Impact on interdisciplinary programs
- Impact on service courses
- Effects on general education or accreditation requirements
Phase-Out Plan
Phase‑out plans must ensure equitable treatment of enrolled students and provide a reasonable opportunity for them to complete all required coursework and research. Please include the following in the phase-out plan:
- Total credit hours required for the degree
- A list of currently enrolled students and estimated completion date of each student
- End date for final teaching and research activities (The end date is typically 2-3 years after cessation of program. Longer time periods may be approved if warranted to equitably allow students to complete the program.)
- Name and contact information for any accrediting bodies for accredited programs
- Specific plans for final teaching and research activities include:
- List of required courses that will continue to be taught during the phase-out period
- List of substitute courses for courses that will no longer be taught during phase-out period
- Proposed waiver of any requirements
- List of faculty who are advising final research requirements