Roles and Responsibilities

The APSU Board of Trustees reviews and approves university admission, progression and graduation requirements; changes or additions of a program degree designation; establishment of or termination of degree (major) and certificate programs; conversion of existing concentrations to a stand-alone major; consolidating two or more programs; establishing new academic units that award credit; and significant reorganizations of academic units that award credit.

College Dean 

The Dean  of each college is responsible for reviewing and granting consent to all new academic program and modification proposals.

• Review and give consent to department faculty to progress with proposal paperwork
• Review and provide feedback on all proposals submitted in Curriculog.
• Confirm all required proposal forms have been completed (i.e., cover page, University Curriculum Committee, etc.)
• Ensure program proposals are included on the college's curriculum committee meeting agenda for review and approval.

The College of Graduate Studies also develops advanced programs and services addressing national needs and provides a mechanism for collaborative opportunities in research, creative and scholarly activities. Prior to submission to the University Curriculum Committee, Graduate Studies reviews and approves all modifications to existing graduate programs and proposed new academic graduate programs.

Department Chairs and Faculty

Each department is responsible for managing the full proposal process and implementation of all academic programs and modifications within their jurisdiction.

• Generate ideas for new academic programs, modifications to programs, etc. 
• Ensure approval is granted from the College’s Dean and Associate Dean prior to inputing the proposal into Curriculog.
• Prepare all required documentation for THEC, SACSCOC and APSU University Curriculum Committee (Letter of Notification, New Academic Program Proposal)
• Initiate conversations with the Office of Academic Affairs regarding idea(s), draft documents, etc.
• Ensure all documents go through the proper review process as detailed in this manual.
• Establish advisory board(s) of internal and community stakeholders to guide and support program development, if appropriate and/or necessary.

The Graduate Academic Council is the principal body for the establishment of policies and procedures relative to research and to administration of graduate programs. The purpose of the Graduate Academic Council is to provide for effective participation and deliberation by those concerned with graduate programs, research, and creative activities. The Council’s actions become recommendations to the University Curriculum Committee.

The office of Academic Affairs collaborates with each department proposing any program modifications, creation or delegation and serves as the liaison between the department and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Specifically, Academic Affairs is responsible for the following:

• Assist the department with determining the appropriate forms and process required to move forward with the idea.
• Review and provide feedback and recommendations on all documents.
• Serve as the liaison between the department and Tennessee Higher Education Counsel (THEC).
• Answer any questions the department may have regarding the proposal process.
• Monitor and track the progress on all department proposals and implementation and report the status to APSU leadership.
• Determine if a program requires SACSCOC approval.

Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges

SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern States. In the context of program development, APSU is required to prepare and submit the following to SACSCOC:

• A prospectus if a proposed program is significantly different than anything the institution is offering.
• A level change application if the institution is seeking to offer coursework at a more advanced level than currently offering.

The Office of Academic Affairs will determine if a program will require the submission of a prospectus and approval from SACSCOC.

The Teacher Education Council reviews and approves all courses and programs in the College of Education as well as other proposal with an educational concentration. The council is appointed by the Dean of Education and includes representatives from faculty engaged in the preparation of teachers, P-12 school representatives, and candidates.  The Council’s actions become recommendations to the University Curriculum Committee or the Graduate Academic Council.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

(THEC)

THEC assumes authority for the review and final approval for new programs and modifications. According to THEC Policy A1.0, THEC is responsible for ensuring all programs are of high academic quality, maximize cost effectiveness and efficiency and that the benefits to the state outweigh the costs, fulfill student and community demand, avoid and eliminate unnecessary duplication and encourage cooperation and collaboration among all institutions in the region.

University Curriculum Committee

(UCC)

The University Curriculum Committee receives and studies proposed changes in curriculums and new programs and makes final recommendations to the President of the University.

NOTE: Prior to University Curriculum Committee review, all proposal documents must be reviewed and approved by the department and college curriculum committees, and if applicable, the Teacher Education Council and/or the Graduate Academic Council.