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Degree programs are defined as the sum of : (1) General Education course requirements (undergraduate degrees only), (2) other University course requirements, (3) those courses required for the degree major program of studies (both within and outside of the discipline), and (4) electives. Degree programs vary in the total number of units required according to Title 5.

Degree majors are defined as the sum of coursework necessary to establish (1) an understanding of the breadth of the body of knowledge in a discipline, or of several disciplines in interdisciplinary programs, (2) competence in the fundamental skills and methodologies of the discipline(s), and (3) understanding and skill at an appropriate depth in various aspects of the body of knowledge. Items (1) and (2) may be thought of as the "core" of the major.

Degree options (also referred to as "subprograms" across the CSU) are defined as a course of studies in which coursework required to establish understanding in depth in the named aspect or sub-disciplinary area provides a separate route for students. Traditionally a degree option would have a common core of shared units the same in all their degree options, and dedicated option requirements (that should not exceed the total number of shared units). In undergraduate programs there should be a common core of at least five courses. For graduate programs there should be a common core of at least three courses. Officially recognized degree option titles do appear on transcripts and diplomas. 

Concentrations, tracks, specializations, emphases, fields, sub-options, and other aggregrations of courses not specifically called options provide additional routes for students outside of official degree options. While such aggregates will be internally coherent, they do not by themselves provide sufficient breadth of study to be identified as options. Normally, these aggregates constitute much less than 50% of the coursework required for the degree major. No mention is made of them on a student transcript or diploma. 

Minors consist of a minimum of fifteen units, as specified by the department or program, at least six of which must be upper-division. Minors are awarded only as part of a baccalaureate degree. Students may not finish a minor after they have graduated. Refer to . 

Certificates are a coherent grouping of courses from one or more disciplines that provides a set of learning experiences, often, but not always, related to a specific career area. Alternatively, a certificate program may provide a multidisciplinary focus on a specific topic or area. A certificate program differs substantially in focus and scope from a degree program, for instance in providing learning for a specific career area or a multidisciplinary focus, although certain common courses may be applied to both degree and certificate courses of study. A certificate provides formal recognition by the University that the course of study involves substantial exposure to the discipline, topic, or area. Refer to PS 24-17 on Certificates and Microcredentials (PDF).

Microcredentials are a series of courses, or a stand-alone course of study, that allows students to gain relevant skills and competencies. Micro-Credentials are compact credentials that complement but differ from certificate and degree programs in that they are smaller and more focused, designed to provide immediate skills, knowledge, and experiences to make students ready for the workforce. Refer to PS 24-17 on Certificates and Microcredentials (PDF).

Credentials are defined as a specific aggregate of courses, completion of which is sufficient for licensing by the State of California to teach (or perform specific professional tasks) in the public school systems. No specific unit requirements are given for credentials generally; usually the curricular requirements are noted in the governing legislation as "competencies."

Should a department or program want to add a new program onto the CSU master plan, the first step is to prepare a request to project a new program. These projection are handled in . Login to the system with your É«ÖÐÉ« Credentials, click the "New Proposal" button and start a "Academic Master Plan (AMP) - Projected Degree Proposal Form". Contact catalog@csulb.edu with any questions on getting started.

The questions asked in this prospectus form will address the following:

1. The need for the program or reason for developing the program, with demonstration of potential demand in the form of market surveys, employer needs, demographic trends, etc. If the new degree program is now offered as an option, the summary should include a brief rationale for the conversion. If the new degree program is not commonly offered as a bachelor's or master's degree, the summary should provide a compelling academic rationale explaining how the proposed subject area constitutes a coherent, integrated degree major that has potential value to students. If the proposal does not appear to conform to the trustee policy calling for "broadly based programs," an explanation should be provided.
2. How the program fits within the mission and focus of this university, taking into account the university's Strategic Plan and information from reviews of existing or related programs in the area.
3. What are the Program Level Objectives?
4. What is the proposed for the program?
5. Regional planning, considering the programs available at other CSU campuses and at UC campuses within the region. If similar programs are available at nearby institutions, why is the program needed at É«ÖÐÉ«? How would our program differ from those already available? Go to to view existing programs at other campuses.
6. Other curricula offered by the campus, either in the same department or in other departments, that are closely related to the proposed program. If they do exist, provide enrollment figures during the past three years in courses or programs closely related to the proposed new program. If a new degree program is being planned in an area where a formal minor, option, or sub-option is offered, how many students are enrolled in the existing program? If a proposed program has substantial similarity or overlap with an existing program, how do the programs differ? Why should the new program be offered by an academic area different from the one offering the existing program? How can students determine which program best suits their needs?
7. What would be the estimated number of enrolled majors at program initiation, after 3 years, and after 5 years? What would be the estimated number of program graduates after 3 years, and after 5 years?
8. Will courses in other academic areas be used as part of the program, will there be room for students in the courses? Will the courses be offered frequently enough so students can complete the program? How will scheduling be coordinated?
9. Providing estimates of the resources needed to offer the projected program. This estimate must include information about the sources of funds and the impact on other programs of moving resources to the new program. If additional resources will be required, the summary should indicate the extent of university commitment to allocate them and evidence that decision-making curriculum committees were aware of the sources of resource support when they endorsed the proposal.

The prospectus requires the approval of the department chair, college dean, as per normal items in the Curriculum Certification. These approvals are handled through Curriculog. Projection does not assure that the program will be approved.

The CSU Academic Master Plan shows all degrees and options offered, or planned for future offering, by each campus within the system. New programs must be approved for "projection" on the Academic Master Plan before they may be proposed for implementation.

Near the end of each calendar yaer, each CSU campus submits to the Chancellor's Office its Academic Master Plan for the following five years, with recommendations for addition, deletion, or rescheduling of projected programs. These changes in the Plan must be approved by the Chancellor's Office and the Board of Trustees, acting at their Spring meeting.

Decisions to approve inclusion of new programs in the Academic Master Plan are based primarily on evidence that there will be sufficient enrollment to ensure a viable program and on evidence that the program serves the needs of the State and the particular region.

It's important to think of these changes and submit this form in advance, as both internal and externals reviews may have a queue that slows down the process.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) have specific regulations and requirements that govern the offering of off-campus degree programs.

In order to offer new or existing degree programs at an off-campus site, approval must be obtained from the Office of the Provost 60 days before any student is admitted to the program.

An off-site degree program is defined as one in which 50% to 100% of the required coursework is delivered at the off-site location. For undergraduate programs, the requirement includes General Education as well as major coursework.

An off-site location is defined as any facility not located on the É«ÖÐÉ« campus or owned and operated by É«ÖÐÉ« (for example, the Residential Learning Community is not an off-site location).

To obtain approval to offer an academic degree program at an off-campus site, the following protocol is required:

• The College Dean or designee consults with the Vice Provost for Academic Programs regarding the possible intent to offer an off-campus program to learn what approvals are required by the university and WASC
• A request for approval must be submitted to the Vice Provost for Academic Programs no later than 60 days prior to admission of students to the proposed off-campus program
• No student may be admitted to the off-site program until written approval has been obtained from the Vice Provost for Academic Programs
• The Office of the Provost will work with the Director of Financial Aid to determine whether students at a given off-campus site are eligible for financial aid and to ensure proper reporting to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Any College that closes an off-campus site is responsible for the timely reporting of the closure to the Office of the Provost and Enrollment Services, including the exact date of the closure once instruction has concluded at the site
• Each College offering off-site programs must report annually on the status of any off-campus degree  programs, including those that will be discontinued