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Statewide
SCHEV Revises Policy for Approving Academic Programs
In March, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) adopted a new policy for public colleges and universities seeking to initiate new academic programs. The changes are designed to streamline and strengthen the current approval process and ensure that state resources are used efficiently.
The new policy holds boards of visitors more accountable for new programs initiated by their institutions, delegating to the boards approval of such aspects as the curriculum, course content, and faculty credentials. Another key policy change will require an institution to provide specific information on a new program's demand and market data, whether the program duplicates others already offered in the area, and resources. In addition, SCHEV's new policy delegates to its staff the approval of a new category of program proposals, spin-offs, which often grow out of existing curriculum and use mainly existing courses, existing faculty, and reallocated institutional resources.
The guidelines for implementing these and other changes associated with the new program approval policy took effect on April 1. |
