Graduate Academic Program Approvals

When to Submit Proposed Changes:  Proposed changes to the Graduate Catalog can be submitted at any time.  However, all approval processes detailed below must be completed by the end of January and fully approved by March 1st in order for proposed changes to appear in the Graduate Catalog for the following year. Note:  When revising existing programs, it is recommended that departments review the catalog proofs available on the Graduate Catalog Proofs page so that any changes made since the publication of the previous catalog are incorporated into any additional revisions.

How to Submit Proposed Changes: The Graduate School has recently implemented its GPAR electronic workflow system for use in obtaining approval of actions related to graduate degree and certificate programs, including approvals of new programs, modifications of existing programs, and elimination of programs. This electronic system replaces the paper forms previously used for routing proposals through the approval process. All proposals now require completion of a completed GPAR Workflow Form.  The GPAR system which will automatically route the proposal through the required approval levels, which depend on the type of proposed change (see details below).

Required Approvals:

Note:  When a field of study or area of concentration is sponsored by two or more departments, approval of all departments and schools or colleges is required in addition to all other required steps.

Graduate Degree Programs

The following approvals are required when adding, dropping, or renaming a Graduate Degree Program, or when making any changes to CIP codes, designated degrees, or methods of delivery:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School
  4. Board of Trustees
  5. CT Office of Higher Education

Revisions to Graduate Degree programs

Revisions to existing graduate degree programs, including changes to Graduate Catalog copy, that do NOT involve any changes to CIP codes, designated degrees, or methods of delivery require the following approvals:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School

Areas of Concentration (Master’s, Doctoral or Certificate)

Within Psychology, Educational Psychology, Business, or Nursing:  The following approvals are required when adding, dropping, or renaming Areas of Concentration or when making any changes to CIP codes, designated degrees, or methods of delivery within these fields:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School
  4. Board of Trustees
  5. CT Office of Higher Education

All other Fields of Study:  The following approvals are required when adding, dropping, or renaming Areas of Concentration or when making any changes to Graduate Catalog copy or changes to CIP codes, designated degrees, or methods of delivery within fields other than Psychology, Educational Psychology, Business and Nursing:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School

Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, Post-Master’s Certificates, and Sixth Year Diplomas

The following approvals are required when adding, dropping, or renaming a Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, or Post-Master’s Certificate or Sixth Year Diploma, or making any changes to CIP codes or methods of delivery:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School
  4. Board of Trustees
  5. CT Office of Higher Education

Revisions to existing Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, or Post-Master’s Certificates or Sixth Year Diplomas, including changes to Graduate Catalog copy, that do NOT involve any changes to CIP codes or methods of delivery require the following approvals:

  1. Academic Department(s)
  2. College/School(s)
  3. The Graduate School

      Subject Areas

      The following approvals are required when adding, dropping, or renaming a subject area. A completed Subject Area Processing Form (rather than a GPAR form) is required.

      1. Academic Department(s)
      2. Provost informs Registrar