Program Approval Process
Before you begin the program approval process, consult with your department and college curriculum committee about internal deadlines and processes. Please review the steps below. Note that this process could take up to two academic years to complete, depending on meeting schedules of governing bodies. All approvals, including state level, must be completed by the end of winter term before the desired launch year.

1. Submit request to start the process
Click the button "Get Started" button to fill out a brief form about the new program you want to propose. The program manager will reach out to you within 1-2 business days to set up an initial conversation. The program manager will be your primary point of contact and assist you through the approval process.
If you have questions but are not ready to get started, please email Program Manager, Denita Strietelmeier.
2. Consultation with program manager
This initial conversation will guide you through the review process, timelines, tools (see right column for examples), and resources. In addition, you can expect to discuss:
- competitor and comparitor programs which will be used to develop a market/demand analysis for the program
- whether a new subject code will be needed
- external review (for graduate programs)
- timeline as it relates to recruiting and marketing
- what CIP code to assign to the program
- new or revised courses that require UOCC approval
After this conversation, the program manager will send a notice of intent to your dean. Proposers should follow any internal pre-proposal steps set by your college. Once those steps and the four pre-preproposal items are completed, the final versions should be sent to the program manager.
Pre-proposal elements:
- Pre-approval form
- Degree plan
- Budget template
- Market/demand analysis
Key resources:
3. UO Provost's Council review
Final review of the documents will take place along with three meetings:
- a discussion about the proposed budget
- a meeting between the proposers and the dean to discuss the proposal in detail
- a meeting for your dean, the Provost, and representatives from the Office of the Provost
Upon agreement at the third meeting that the proposal should move forward, a request will be sumitted to get the program on the agenda for an upcoming Provost's Council meeting.
Key actions:
- Conversation with your dean about all pre-proposal documents
- Conversation between your dean and OtP representative
4. Courseleaf and school/college internal workflow
Assuming there are no major concerns raised at the Provost's Council meeting, proposers will create a proposal in Courseleaf. Information from the pre-approval items will be entered along with additional information. CourseLeaf is the software tool that supports the development and review of course and program proposals. All new program proposals, edits to current programs, and new courses will be submitted through Courseleaf. For access or questions, contact Carolyn Vogt, UO Curriculum Coordinator.
- The program proposal should follow the predetermined workflow for approvals within courseleaf, including any internal school/college goverance channels and dean approval.
- Graduate programs should conduct their external review process during this time.
Key tools:
5. Undergraduate/Graduate Council approval
Once your program completes your college-level steps in workflow, the proposal will be submitted to the Undergraduate Council or the Graduate Council for approval. The proposer should expect to create a short presentation for the respective council meeting, which will take place over Zoom. Review by either council may take more than one meeting as materials are reviewed, questions are asked, and requested revisions are made.
Key elements:
- Courseleaf submission
- 5-7 minute presentation
- Proposer makes the presentation
6. UO Senate Approval
Upon approval by the Undergraduate Council or the Graduate Council, the program proposal will be submitted to the UO Senate for approval. The proposal will be reviewed first by the Senate Executive Committee. The proposer and their respective dean should expect to make a short presentation and respond to Senate member questions. Typically, the Senate will review the program at one meeting and then conduct their vote at the next meeting.
Key elements:
- Courseleaf submission
- 5-7 minute presentation
- Proposer and Dean make the presentation
7. Board of Trustees Approval
Upon approval by the UO Senate, the sponsoring Dean and the Provost will meet with the Chair of the Board of Trustees Academic and Student Affairs Committee. The program manager will prepare a briefing document for the chair and assist with schedule coordination. Upon conclusion of that conversation, the program will be submitted to be placed on the agenda of an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting.
Key elements:
- Board of Trustees proposal packet (program manager assembles this with the Board Secretary)
8. Statewide Provost Council & HECC Review
The Statewide Provost Council is made of up provosts from Oregon's seven public universities. Their input is key before the proposal moves on to the Higher Educating Coordinating Commission (HECC). Submission for approval by these two bodies will handled by the Office of the Provost. No presentations need to be made to these bodies.
Key elements:
- Statewide Provost Council Early Notice form (OtP will submit)
- HECC New program proposal (OtP will submit)
- 5-7 minute presentation to Statewide Provost Council
- Proposer and Dean make the presentation
9. NWCCU Review
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is the University of Oregon's accreditor, and is the final step of approval for a new program.
Key elements
- NWCCU Substantive Change Submission (OtP will submit)