The Process for a New Degree

Creating a new program can be a lengthy endeavor. It requires a multi-tiered approval process through which every college and department involved can assess and comment on the quality of the program. This is particularly important to insure that any program here at TAMU is of the highest quality. However, it does take some time. Below, I’ve outlined very briefly what this process will entail for an interdisciplinary graduate program (IDP) with some indication of the time it will take if all goes smoothly.

Fall 2006

  • Received pre-authorization from THECB to create the program. This is required by the state for PhD programs.

Summer 2007

  • Identify someone to lead the charge and keep everything moving
  • Recruit a group of faculty willing to do the leg work to establish the new IDP faculty and degree

Fall 2007

  • Write the proposal for the IDP faculty
    • Draft bylaws
    • Create operating budget w/ justification
    • Identify participating deans and departments

Spring 2008-Summer 2008

  • Get approval for the IDP Faculty
    • Dept heads
    • Participating deans
    • Dean of Graduate Studies
    • Vice President of Research
    • Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Choose an executive committee and establish standing committees for curriculum, admissions, etc.
  • Agree on an outline for the new program–core courses, required electives, free electives, resources needed, etc
  • Create new classes and get new classes approved by departments and Faculty Senate
  • Write the proposal for the IDP degree

Fall 2008-Spring 2009

When all the involved faculty and departments are in agreement on the new program, then the approval process starts:

  • Departmental curriculum committees–>Sponsoring departments and department heads
  • College graduate curriculum committees–>Sponsoring deans
  • Graduate Programs Council
  • Faculty Senate
  • Dean of Graduate Studies
  • Vice President for Research
  • Executive Vice President and Provost
  • President
  • TAMU Board of Regents - meet six times per year
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - meet once each quarter