New Certificates, Degrees & Graduate Programs
New certificates, degrees and graduate programs, including articulation arrangements with other institutions, must be approved by the Graduate School. Normally the process begins with the Graduate School staff working with departments/programs to assemble the information necessary for review.
New "campus" certificates must be approved by the Graduate School, including the Graduate Council. Once submitted to the Graduate School that process requires about two academic-year months for completion.
Other types of certificates require additional approval by SUNY-system and in some cases NYS Education Department.
New graduate degrees must be approved by the Graduate School, which includes the Provost, Vice Provost & Dean of the Graduate School and Graduate Council (reviewed first by Curriculum Committee). A market analysis and a business plan are required. The Graduate School may assist with these, but the requirement is the responsibility of those making the proposal. SUNY-system requires a letter of intent (notification that is sent out to SUNY campuses); the Graduate School prepares that and the Provost submits it to SUNY-system. After approval of the proposal by the Graduate School (including Graduate Council), Faculty Senate (which includes the EPPC) reviews the proposal. Finally, SUNY system and NYS Education Department must approve the proposal. Provided that the original proposal meets the standards of the various levels of scrutiny, that process generally requires about one year. New graduate programs usually also require a site review by an external panel.
Articulation agreements (between any BU department/school and an external department/school/university) must be approved by the Graduate School and may require additional approvals, depending on the type of arrangement and institutions involved. Articulation agreements include the exchange of graduate students between institutions without paying additional tuition and must follow SUNY-system guidelines.