Questions
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Michelle Broadway.
The Graduate Catalog contains degree requirements for all graduate programs, rules that affect graduate students, and a list of Graduate Studies Committee members. Changes to information published in the Graduate Catalog may require approval of the Graduate Dean, Graduate Assembly, Provost and/or President of the University, UT System, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Degree Program Changes at the graduate level require a recommendation for approval by the program’s Graduate Studies Committee.
Graduate Curriculum Update Request Form
Each year, graduate programs may request updates to graduate programs and associated information published in the upcoming Graduate Catalog by submitting a Graduate Curriculum Update Request Form to the Graduate School.
Three types of updates are referenced on the Graduate Curriculum Update Request Form. Each has a distinct review and approval process.
Degree Program Changes
Degree program changes are changes to graduate credentials (degrees, certificates, and portfolios) that must be legislated by the Graduate Assembly and approved or acknowledged by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Some examples include:
Adding remote delivery (online) program options
Adding remote delivery (online) program options
Increasing or decreasing the number of hours required to earn a graduate degree or certificate
Changing the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code of an existing credential
Consolidating two or more existing degrees
Moving a degree program or degree title from one academic unit to another
Adding a graduate certificate program
Adding a self-supporting (Option III) track to an existing degree program
Self-supported (Option III) programs in currently approved fields of study do not require THECB or SACS approval, but the THECB should be notified.
Final Approval
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Substantive changes require approval by the SACS-COC
Substantive changes are defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and School’s Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC).
Academic Changes
Academic changes are changes to program requirements or academic policies that affect a student’s pursuit of an existing credential (degree, certificate or portfolio). In many cases, academic changes are approved by the graduate dean and do not require further legislation through the Graduate Assembly, UT System, or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). There are two types of academic changes – substantial and nonsubstantial. Academic changes at the graduate level require a recommendation for approval by the program’s Graduate Studies Committee.
Nonsubstantial Academic Change
A nonsubstantial academic change affects the requirements or academic policies of an individual graduate program while remaining within the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Some examples of academic changes are:
Changing course requirements for an individual degree or certificate;
Adding, deleting, or changing a track or concentration;
Adding, deleting, or changing master’s degree options; and
Establishing, changing, or dropping requirements for admission to a degree program.
Final Approval
Vice provost and dean of graduate studies (graduate dean)
Substantial Academic Change
A substantial academic change is one which affects the minimum degree requirements or academic policies of the Graduate School that govern all graduate programs and/or one which involves a policy or matter governed by the Board of Regents (BOR). Some examples of substantial academic change are:
Changing the minimum number of hours required for all graduate degrees; and
Updating admission requirements for all graduate degree programs at UT Austin
Academic changes at the graduate level require a recommendation for approval by the program’s Graduate Studies Committee.
Final Approval
For matters which fall within the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, provost; for matters governed by the Rules of the Board of Regents, UT System (executive vice chancellor for academic affairs = EVCAA
Nonacademic Changes
Nonacademic changes do not impact the academic policies or requirements of the graduate program. Some examples of nonacademic changes are:
changing program contact information such as the phone number, physical address, email, etc.; and
minor editorial updates in program description which do not impact policies or requirements
Nonacademic changes are administrative in nature and do not require endorsement by an associated Graduate Studies Committee.
Final Approval
Graduate Dean
Course Inventory Changes
The course inventory is the set of courses that the University is authorized to teach by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Some examples of course inventory changes are:
Adding new courses;
Changing course numbers or course titles;
Changing statements and other information
E.g. changing same-as statements, subject-matter descriptions, degree plan statements, restrictive statements, prerequisites, meeting statements, and contact hours.
Official Publications
Course Inventory changes are submitted to Official Publications.
Course Inventory Management System (CIMS)
Changes should be submitted via the online Course Inventory Management system (CIM). Graduate Curriculum Update Request forms are not required.
Final Approval
Graduate Dean
GSC Membership Changes
GSC Reporting
Graduate studies committees consist of all assistant, associate, and full professors who are, or on initial appointment will be, active participants in the program. Updates to GSC membership are made online.
All correspondence and contact with The University of Texas System and the THECB should also be coordinated through the Graduate School.