Elevate an Option to a Full Degree
The goal of a degree elevation is to transform a degree subprogram (at É«ÖÐÉ«, these are official degree "Options") to a standalone degree. For example, a Bachelor of Arts in Wizardry, Option in Alchemy, could propose to elevate to a standalone Bachelor of Arts in Alchemy.
When elevating an option to a full, stand-alone degree, it's very important to keep in mind that this is often a multi-year process heavily dependent on reviews and approvals from internal É«ÖÐÉ« and external CSU/Accreditation sources. See the Timeline for Program Development page for details.
The process is outlined as follows:
Departments or programs will need to obtain department and college approval before submitting a proposal.
Please prepare and submit the following items to the Academic Programs office:
- a completed
- completed for the degree where applicable (bachelor’s programs please include a 4-year and a 2-year transfer projected roadmap)
- submit a to Sharlene Sayegh
- a letter of support from the college's dean in regards to the college's support of budgetary costs related to the program's elevation
Digital copies of all proposal materials that were approved by the department and college are forwarded to the Vice Provost of Academic Programs and the Office of Academic Programs (catalog@csulb.edu). The proposal is reviewed by both offices and feedback is provided to the proposer.
When details of the document are finalized, the Academic Programs Office will move the proposal forward toward the É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate.
The proposal packet is shared with the É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate Chair.
Upon their approval of the materials, the proposal will be shared with the Senate's Curriculum and Educational Policies Council (CEPC) and University Resource Council (URC) for review. Proposers will be invited to discuss their proposals with these councils, and potentially be asked to make updates to the content. Upon final recommendation by these councils, the proposed program elevation must be reviewed and approved by the É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate. Proposers are again invited to discuss their proposals.
Upon recommendation by the Academic Senate, the Vice Provost for Academic Programs seeks the President's approval.
With approval of the É«ÖÐÉ« President, the Academic Programs Office will compile the final version of the proposal packet and submit to the CSU Chancellor's Office Academic Programs team.
Upon the Chancellor's Office approval, É«ÖÐÉ« will set an implementation date for the program elevation. A policy statement will be distributed to campus administration, and the program will appear in the É«ÖÐÉ« Catalog during the appropriate year.
