New Program Development

Request for Inclusion

The UNC System Office (UNC-SO) policies lay the groundwork for new degree program development. ECU derives a campus process based on those policies, and the ECU Faculty Manual details how they are applied. Academic Planning and Accreditation (APA) uses these resources to support faculty in their academic planning efforts.

Additional online sources of data can be found on the resources page on this site. Sources include ECU, UNC System Office, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and various sites for statistics and supplemental information for program planning.

Request for Inclusion 2024-2026

On June 11, 2024, the Office of the Provost kicked off an accelerated Request for Inclusion Call for the 2024-2026 Academic Program Plan. Faculty were asked to carefully consider our portfolio of degree programs and how our students and university could benefit from elevating existing concentrations into new degree programs.

When considering expanding concentrations into a new degree program, faculty were also asked to consider return-on-investment data and whether the remaining concentrations within the parent program could remain above low productivity thresholds without the concentration. Only concentrations that had a track record of steady enrollment and completion numbers were considered. Only concentrations with existing faculty resources were considered.

Colleges that responded to the call completed one form for each concentration proposed. Once approved to move forward, planners completed the UNC-SO Request to Establish templates in Modern Campus Curriculum. New programs could be established as early as fall 2025.

Request for Inclusion (RFI) Process:

  • Faculty planners started a new proposal in Modern Campus Curriculum, (Form Q – Request to Establish a New Academic Degree Program) and included all required documents, etc. listed in the form. Deadline: All proposals were to be approved by department and college curriculum committees and be approved by the college dean in Modern Campus Curriculum by September 16th, 2024
  • Planners presented to EPPC on October 11, 2024.
  • Proposals reviewed by Faculty Senate at December 3, 2024 meeting.
  • Approved program forms were submitted to the UNC System Office mid-December, 2024.
  • Comment period replies were due January 10, 2025.

For questions, please contact Cyndi Bellacero or 252-737-3614.