New Program Planning FINAL.PDF

  UNE  Academic  Planning  Process   The  Academic  Planning  Process  assures  the  most  vibrant,  high-­‐quality  desired  academic  programs  are  offered   by  UNE    It  is  designed  to  1)  promote  UNE’s  mission  and  the  continuous  revitalization  of  the  academic  program   2)  provide  a  mechanism  for  UNE  to  respond  to  market  forces  with  mission  driven  programs  that  suit  the  needs   of  diverse  student  populations  3)  maintain  a  venue  for  clarifying  and  renewing  the  University’s  academic  plan     Academic  planning  at  UNE  has  shifted  from  the  concept  of  program  expansion  using  current  resources  to  the   concept  of  university  investment  of  resources  based  on  the  assessment  of  market  and  institutional  readiness     The  new  program  approval  process  provides  a  rational  and  effective  process  for  program  development,   consideration,  and  approval  that  will  ensure  that  the  University  is  making  coordinated  decisions  for  program   development,  resource  allocation,  and  external  regulatory  compliance  This  document  provides  a  structure  to   guide  the  planning  and  approval  process  of  new  academic  degree  programs  By  requiring  specific  data  and   background  information,  the  procedures  ensure  appropriate  consistency  and  care  in  designing  and  presenting   new  academic  program  proposals  They  also  clarify  the  institutional  procedures  that  govern  internal  and   external  approvals  and  thereby  eliminate  confusion  and  unnecessary  delays     The  program  planning  process  includes  three  distinct  steps  that  build  upon  each  other    Only  the  President  and   Provost  can  initiate  new  program  planning  based  on  their  initial  understanding  of  the  potential  mission  fit  and   market    Once  a  concept  is  approved  by  the  President  and  Provost,  the  planning  process  described  below  is   initiated     The  three  phases  of  the  Academic  Planning  Process  are  detailed  below    Each  phase  includes  a  timeline  and   action  steps  and  associated  documentation  required  to  progress  to  the  next  phase  The  forms  are  available  to   download  via  Phase  I,  Phase  II  and  Phase  III  links       Key  Timeline  Benchmarks  for  Approval  of  New  Programs   March  Board  Meeting  –  Completed  Phase  III  feasibility  studies,  a  summary  of  programs  under  consideration,   and  Phase  I  and  II  proposals  are  presented  to  the  Academic  Affairs  Committee  and  the  Board  of  Trustees   May  Board  Meeting  -­‐  Completed  Phase  III  feasibility  studies,  a  summary  of  programs  under  consideration,  and   Phase  I  and  II  proposals  are  presented  to  the  Academic  Affairs  Committee  and  the  Board  of  Trustees   November  Board  Meeting  –  Completed  Phase  III  feasibility  studies,  a  summary  of  programs  under   consideration,  and  Phase  I  and  II  proposals  are  presented  to  the  Academic  Affairs  Committee  and  the  Board  of   Trustees           FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   Roles  and  Responsibilities   The  President  and  Provost  provide  oversight  of  new  program  planning,  setting  academic  priorities  in  keeping   with  the  University  of  New  England’s  Strategic  Plan,  and  providing  final  approval,  if  granted    Regular  updates  on   new  program  opportunities  will  be  provided  to  the  Academic  Affairs  Committee  and  the  Long  Range  Planning   Committee  of  the  Board  by  the  President  and  Provost  In  keeping  with  a  process  of  shared  governance,  the  new   program  planning  options  and  plan  components  will  be  reviewed  on  a  continuous  cycle  by  administrative  units   and  assemblies  to  support  an  expedited  process  with  ongoing  feedback     In  Phase  I,  the  primary  function  is  the  development  of  a  thorough  market  analysis,  as  well  as  an  economic  and   budget  model  to  provide  the  foundation  of  the  process    In  order  to  assess  the  viability  of  potential  new   programs  at  the  University  of  New  England  and  advance  new  programs  on  a  reasonable  schedule,  the  overall   process  includes  the  expectation  that  planners,  deans,  faculty,  students,  staff,  and  community  members  will   review  and  comment  on  elements  of  the  proposed  programs  at  various  points  throughout  the  development   process    Accordingly,  planners  focus  on  the  timelines  and  documentation;  deans  provide  oversight  of  their   college  level  planning;  faculty  members  in  each  college  review  and  comment  on  the  model  curriculum;  and   university  administration  provide  advice  on  budgets,  impacts,  enrollment  potential,  and  mission  fit         FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   Phase  I    -­‐  Idea  GeneraYon,  ExploraYon  and  PrioriYzaYon   Timeline  is  30  Days        Ideas  for  new  or  revised   program  generated;  market   analysis  and  budget  models   are  completed   Open  and  robust  process   captures  ideas  based  on   internal  and  external  trends   President  and  Provost     approve  short  and  long-­‐ term  possibiliYes   Approved  program  ideas   are  prioriYzed/researched   by  the  planning  team   Phase  II  -­‐  Intent  to  Plan   Timeline  is  30  Days   Intent  to  Plan  team  formed   and  document  is   completed   Preliminary    assessment  of   mission  fit,  raYonale,   enrollment  potenYal,  etc   Deans  and  College   Assemblies  review  to  plan   next  steps  and  Ymeline     Office  of  the  Provost/VPAA   approves  progression  to  full   feasibility  study     Phase  III  -­‐  Feasibility  Study  for  New  Academic  Program   Timeline  is  45  Days   College,  department,  or   other  planners  complete   feasibility  study     Detailed  info  on  all  secYons   Componenents  of  the  study   are  submiZed  to  Dean,  with   are  distributed  for  feedback   College  Assembly's   and  advice  from  units  and   recommendaYon   UFA     Program  is  approved  by   Provost/President  with  a   clear  implementaYon  and   communicaYon  plan       PHASE  I  PLANNING   INITIAL  PROPOSAL     INTRODUCTION     New  program  development  is  critical  to  the  University  and  both  encouraged  and  expected  New  programs  refer   to  any  new  degree  program  such  as  new  majors/minors,  graduate  and  doctoral  programs,  graduate  certificate   programs,  and  dual  degrees  These  guidelines  are  intended  to  be  helpful  in  the  planning  and  implementation  of   new  programs       TIMELINE   Assessment  of  potential  viability  takes  resources  Phase  I  planning  is  allowed  thirty  days     DOCUMENTATION  REQUIRED     Idea  Generation       FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   Idea  generation  for  a  new  program  can  come  from  many  sources  It  may  come  from  competing  institutions,   external  scans,  market  needs,  societal  or  community  needs,  or  individual/administrator  or  contributor  ideas       The  Proposal   Consider  the  following  questions  as  an  initial  screening  of  the  viability  of  new  programs:     • Will  the  proposed  program  contribute  positively  to  the  mission  of  the  University?     • Is  there  a  societal  need  for  this  program?     • Is  there  evidence  that  student  learners  need  this  program?   • Can  this  program  be  delivered  with  sufficient  academic  quality  at  UNE?     • Is  the  program  consistent  with  the  strengths  of  the  institution?     • Will  the  program  require  a  substantive  change  report  and  possible  visit  from  NEASC?     • Are  there  any  program  delivery  formats  that  would  be  new  or  different?     • Is  the  program  similar  to  any  other  program  on  campus  and  would  a  revision  be  appropriate?     • What  characteristics  will  distinguish  this  program  from  other  programs  offered  by  competing   institutions?     Do  you  plan  a  collaborative  arrangement  with  other  departments  or  another  institution  or  entity?     Are  there  unique  characteristics  of  the  curriculum  (as  compared  to  similar  programs)?     • •   The  Market  Scan  and  Economic/Budget  Model   Provide  a  brief  justification  for  why  UNE  needs  this  program  and  why  UNE  should  offer  the  program  Provide  a   brief  description  of  whether  and  why  students  will  enroll  in  the  program,  including  the  audience  of  learners  for   the  program  and  societal  impact       The  market  scan  is  a  professionally  completed  review  of  the  current  and  emerging  market  for  this  program  It   includes  a  professional  market  analysis,  including  an  analysis  of  current  and  future  vertical  markets  within  the   discipline,  and  a  competitor  analysis  The  Economic/Budget  model  is  an  opportunity  to  review  all  data  regarding   the  preferences  of  potential  learners,  new  competition,  and  alternative  or  emerging  products  and  trends  to   create  scenarios  and  budget  models       ! The  proposal,  market  scan,  and  economic/budget  models  will  be  reviewed  by  the  President  and  Provost   If  approved,  planners  will  be  invited  to  proceed  to  Phase  II  with  a  clear  timeline     PHASE  II  PLANNING   INTENT  TO  PLAN  NEW  ACADEMIC  PROGRAM   INTRODUCTION   The  Intent  to  Plan  process  provides  an  opportunity  for  clarification  on  key  elements  in  consideration  of   establishing  any  new  program       FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   TIMELINE     Assessment  of  potential  viability  takes  resources  Phase  II  planning  is  allowed  thirty  days   DOCUMENTATION  REQUIRED   Exploring  the  potential   Provide  a  brief  statement  about  the  mission,  institutional  fit,  preliminary  demand  for  the  program,  and  rationale   for  developing  the  new  academic  program    Degree:   • • What  is  the  degree  or  program  being  proposed?   Is  the  name  of  the  degree  or  program  clearly  linked  to  career  opportunities?    Proposed  College/Unit  to  Offer  Academic  Program:   • Indicate  collaborators  across  UNE      Lead  Planner:    Feasibility  Study  Committee  (list  members  and/or  membership  criteria):   • Include  collaboration  and  consultation  with  institutional  and  external  partners    General  Program  or  College  Objectives:     • List  the  most  important  three  to  five  expected  learning  outcomes   Describe  how  they  will  be  measured     Will  the  degree  involve  a  practicum  or  field  experience?     What  are  the  specific  competencies  or  concentrations  within  the  degree?         What  evidence  is  available  to  support  the  rationale  for  choosing  these?       Are  there  special  accrediting  bodies  associated  with  the  degree?          Evidence  of  Need,  including  preliminary  market  information  and  student  enrollment  potential:   Are  there  specific  target  groups,  occupations,  or  professions  that  would  be  likely  to  pursue  the  degree?       Are  there  other  degrees  recognized  by  employers  that  can  be  substituted  for  the  proposed  degree?     What  would  motivate  the  target  audience  to  seek  the  proposed  degree?    Career  change?  Advancement?     Salary  increase?    Better  credential?    Change  in  employment  landscape?  Demand  in  the  marketplace?       FINAL      Approval  date:  12/15     • • •  Extent  and  estimated  cost  of  needed  resources:   • Human  Resources:   • Facilities:   • Equipment:   • Library:   • Consultation:   • Technology:          Other  Costs:     • How  many  new  students  are  expected  to  be  admitted  each  term?     • What  is  the  number  of  entry  points  and  terms  each  year?   • How  will  you  promote  and  market  the  program?   • How  many  faculty  and  staff  are  needed  for  the  proposed  program?   • What  current  faculty  and  staff  are  available  to  support  the  proposed  program?   • Will  the  new  program  need  classroom  and  office  space?    Can  it  be  housed  in  currently  available  space?   • Will  this  be  an  online  program?   • Will  this  be  a  Competency  Based  Program?   • Will  new  equipment  be  needed  for  the  program?    If  so,  what  will  be  needed?    Is  it  currently  available  or   will  it  be  purchased?   • At  this  point  in  planning,  what  other  resources  do  you  think  you  will  need?      Revenue  and  External  Funding  Sources:   • Attach  preliminary  business  plan  showing  estimated  costs  and  revenue      Estimated  Planning  and  Implementation  Time  Frame:   • • • Anticipated  date  for  presentation  to  Provost  and  President   Anticipated  date  for  presentation  to  Board  of  Trustees   Implementation  plan  and  timeline   10   Signatures:       Submitted  by:                       Submitted  by:               Dean(s)             Lead  Planner     Date       Date     FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15     Approved  by:       _                 Provost/VPAA       Date                     ! The  Phase  II  Intent  to  Plan  proposal  will  be  reviewed  by  the  President  and  Provost  If  approved,  planners   will  be  invited  to  proceed  to  Phase  III  with  a  clear  timeline     PHASE  III  PLANNING   NEW  ACADEMIC  PROGRAM     FEASIBILITY  STUDY   INTRODUCTION   The  feasibility  study  requires  detailed  information  in  each  section;  supporting  documentation  of  evidence   should  be  attached  to  the  feasibility  study    Information  not  available  or  not  included  must  be  explained  in  the   body  of  the  feasibility  study  The  lead  planner  is  responsible  for  guiding  the  study  through  the  process  of  review   and  comment  by  various  university  and  external  stakeholders    This  is  a  critical  part  of  the  process  for  the  lead   planner,  in  concert  with  the  dean,  to  seek  input  and  feedback,  and  make  revisions  and  adjustments  throughout   the  course  of  the  study     TIMELINE     Phase  III  planning  is  allowed  forty-­‐five  days   DOCUMENTATION  REQUIRED     Full  College  or  Program  Title,  Rationale,  and  Viability–  Include  degree  to  be  offered  and  description  of   program     A    Explanation  or  definition     B    General  program  goals  (maximum  3-­‐5  major  goals)  and  objectives   C    Specific  competencies  or  student  learning  outcomes  (maximum  8-­‐10  items)  and  measurement   process     Program  Rationale       A  Documentation  of  educational,  economic  and  social  needs    Include  citation  of  specific  studies  or   authorities  consulted    Key  sources  (studies  or  documents)  should  be  included  in  the  appendix         • • Conceptual  fit  with  university  mission,  philosophy  and  goals,  and  the  Strategic  Plan   Place  of  the  program  in  the  university  structure  Indicate  appropriate  college,  school,  or   department    Include  collaborative  structures     FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   B    Career  opportunities  and  employment  outlook  for  graduates    Include  data  from  other  professional,   potential  employers  (as  a  result  of  needs  assessment)  and  published  studies  Cite  appropriate  studies   and  include  key  sources  in  an  appendix         Student  Availability   A    List  of  competitive  programs  in  the  state  and  the  region  or  beyond,  as  applicable    Include  institutions   to  which  students  may  apply    For  each  program,  list  the  institution  name,  degree  name,  concentrations   or  specializations  (if  appropriate),  tuition  rate,  total  tuition,  regional  accrediting  body,  specialized   accreditation  (if  appropriate),  admission  requirements,  program  length/credit  hours,  and  reputation  of   competitive  program       B    Application  experience  of  other  programs  for  the  past  three  years       •   Include  number  of  applications,  number  accepted,  and  number  enrolled  Include  data  from   multiple  external  sources  on  number  of  students  indicating  a  preference  for  the  program  of   study  for  the  past  three  years,  for  undergraduate  programs  and  relevant  comparable  data   for  graduate  programs           Enrollment  Projections   A    Project  FTE  enrollment  for  years  1  to  5,  including  the  estimated  total  number  of  new  and  returning   students  for  each  term  or  semester       B    Calculate  an  appropriate  attrition  rate  per  year  for  the  first  three  years  of  each  class  and  include   justification     C    Indicate,  if  appropriate,  the  addition  of  transfer  students  to  each  class       Model  Curriculum       A    Outline  and  describe  required  and  elective  courses  indicating  total  credits  required  for  degree   Include  measures  of  student  learning  outcomes   B    Provide  a  diagram  of  the  curriculum  structure  and  a  sample  curriculum  outline  indicating  possible   course  schedule  for  each  year  of  the  program    Explain  how  the  sequencing  of  courses,  prerequisites,   concentrations,  practicum  experiences,  and  length  of  degree  is  scalable  to  the  proposed  student   population   C    If  appropriate,  describe  the  nature  of  field  experience,  independent  study,  competency-­‐based   education,  clinical  rotations  and  assignments  employed  in  curriculum  design           D    Cite  specific  ways  curriculum  may  be  integrated  into  existing  course  offerings;  if  appropriate  see   Section  7A     Accreditation  requirements     FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15       A    If  program  requires  specialized  or  can  achieve  specialized  accreditation,  describe  specific   requirements  and  their  effect  on  the  institution,  i.e  faculty,  space,  curriculum         B    Describe  any  programmatic  plans  that  have  potential  effect  on  institutional  accreditation         C    Describe  NEASC  requirements  and  include  documentation  as  required  by  NEASC           D    Describe  Maine  Department  of  Education  requirements  and  include  documentation  as   required  by  MEDOE,  if  applicable     Educational  Requirements  and  Capacity           A    Impact  of  program  on  existing  programs  Include  impact  of  increasing  the  number  of  students  in   service/support  courses  Include  undergraduate  general  education  competencies  for  all  undergraduate   degree  programs  Obtain  data  on  required  increases  in  sections  of  courses,  development  of  new   courses,  and  personnel  required  to  meet  increased  demand         B    Impact  on  academic  support  area,  i.e  Enrollment  Management,  Student  Academic  Success  Center,   Library,  ITS,  Bookstore,  Registrar,  etc     C    For  those  programs  requiring  field-­‐based  experiences,  include  data  on  availability  of  field  or  clinical   sites  for  student  placement,  as  well  as  mechanism  and  cost  for  student  supervision,  i.e  program  faculty   or  placement  faculty  supervision         Facility  Requirements  and  Capacity  –  Describe  the  primary  mode  of  instructional  delivery     A    Renovation  of  current  classroom,  laboratory,  clinical,  and  research  space  required           B    Additional  space  requirements  including  faculty  offices,  staff  offices,  new  classroom,    laboratory,   clinical,  and  research  space  (Provide  projections  for  five  years.)         C    Additional  academic  support  area  space  requirements,  such  as  Student  Academic  Success  Center,   library,  ITS,  bookstore,  enrollment  management,  registrar’s  office,  etc     D    Residential  life  capacity   E    Online  learning  and  ITS  support:    All  new  programs  must  meet  with  OWL  to  determine  support   required  for  anticipated  online  learning  (if  appropriate)       Student  Life  Considerations         A    Impact  of  additional  students  on  student  support  services,  i.e  health  center,  student    activities,   counseling  center,  financial  aid,  meal  plan  and  dinning  services,  and  bookstore  especially  as  they  relate   to  adult-­‐oriented  programs         FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   B    Impact  of  new  student  demographics  (age,  commuter  vs  resident,  gender)  on  areas  listed  above  as   well  as  minority  population,  parking,  and  athletic  programs  Consider  and  describe  special  needs  of  non-­‐ traditional  students  and  online  learners       10   Program  Resources     A    Personnel   • • Position  requirements  of  staff  and  faculty  who  will  assume  major  responsibility  for  the   program  to  be  included  in  an  appendix    Describe  specialty  roles  needed  and  include  an   explanation/justification  for  all  positions       Specific  effect  on  existing  programs  if  current  faculty  members  are  reassigned  to  new   program   Administrative  assistance  and  staffing  needs         •   B    Equipment:    new  equipment  required  for  program  and  a  plan  for  its  acquisition,  i.e  Year-­‐by-­‐year  plan   and  potential  grants,  donations,  and  unique  revenue  sources       11   Financial  Projections     A    Five-­‐year  financial  projection  with  rationale  for  each  item       B    Project  costs  to  other  academic  areas  to  provide  support  courses  for  the  program    (Provide   projections  for  five  years.)       C    Include  in  narrative  an  estimate  of  start-­‐up  commitment  prior  to  revenue  generation  and  at  what   point  (in  months)  it  is  expected  that  the  proposed  program’s  revenue  is  projected  to  exceed  its  expenses   or  reach  a  steady  state  financially     D    Include  program  cost  computation  for  new  program  and  for  existing  programs           E    What  additional  funding  is  required  beyond  projected  income  to  support  the    program  during   any  given  year?  Identify  the  source  of  that  funding       F    Identify  potential  outside  or  independent  sources  of  funding  that  may  be  available  to    the   program       12   Time  Line  for  Implementation       A    Provide  an  overall  time  line  indicating  the  major  events/activities  from  initiation  through   admission  and  enrollment  of  the  first  class     B    Attach  the  time  line  to  the  study  as  an  appendix     13   Program  Evaluation   10   FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   A    All  new  programs  must  undergo  a  program  evaluation  three  years  after  implementation    The   program  evaluation  will  follow  the  format  of  the  feasibility  study  The  evaluation  must  focus  on  the   comparison  between  original  study  and  actual  results  Revised  projections,  particularly  enrollment  and   financial  should  be  completed  during  the  evaluation  as  a  reference  point  for  the  next  three  years    In  the   event  revisions  do  not  forecast  positive  results,  follow  B           B    Identify  a  general  process  with  anticipated  difficulties  for  discontinuing  the  program  should  the   three-­‐year  evaluation  indicated  non-­‐viability  of  the  program  Include  plans  for  placing  students  in  other   institutions  or  other  programs,  reassigning  or  terminating  faculty  members,  and  a  time  line  for  phasing   out  the  program     14   Executive  Summary       The  Executive  Summary  should  be  one  to  two  pages  in  length  and  briefly  summarize  the  content  of  the   feasibility  study    It  should  include,  but  is  not  limited  to,  the  following  elements:     A Title  of  the  program  and  the  degree  to  be  offered   B Summary  of  market  analysis  and  mission  fit   C Description  of  the  program  goals  curriculum  (course  content,  sequencing,  and  student   learning  outcomes/competencies)  methods  of  instruction  accreditation  requirements;   timeline  for  implementation   D Rationale  for  the  program;  educational  and/or  social  need;  conceptual  fit  with  the  university   mission;  placement  of  program  in  the  university  structure  (college,  school,  department);   enrollment  projections   E Impact  on  university  resources  income  and  expense  projections  faculty,  staff,  equipment,   and  space  requirements;  academic  support  services  (library,  registrar,  admissions,  etc.)     Identify  outside  or  independent  sources  of  funding   F Feasibility  study  sign  off  is  required  from  all  parties  who  review  the  study  throughout  the   planning  process  and  is  customized  for  each  feasibility  study    See  appendix  for  an  example   of  a  sign  off  sheet   ! The  President  and  Provost  will  determine  the  suitability  and  viability  of  the  proposed  new  program  after   all  phases  They  will  review  the  material  developed  in  the  planning  process,  consider  evidence  of  current   economic  and  educational  trends  The  President  will  make  a  decision  to  recommend  or  not  to   recommend  the  program  to  the  Board  of  Trustees       Appendix     Feasibility  Study  Notification  and  Agreement  Process     Program  Title:     11   FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   College:       By  signing  below,  you  are  indicating  that  you  have  read  and/or  discussed  the  above  new  program  feasibility   study  with  the  planner  and  that  your  suggestions  and  recommendations  have  been  addressed     (Below  are  examples  of  possible  sign  off  areas.)     Facilities:     Student  Life:     Admissions:     Registrar:     Financial  Aid:     University  Budget  Office:     ITS/ATS:           12   FINAL        Approval  date:  12/15   ...  encouraged  and  expected ? ?New  programs  refer   to  any ? ?new  degree ? ?program  such  as ? ?new  majors/minors,  graduate  and  doctoral  programs,  graduate  certificate   programs,  and  dual  degrees...    In  order  to  assess  the  viability  of  potential ? ?new   programs  at  the  University  of ? ?New  England  and  advance ? ?new  programs  on  a  reasonable  schedule,  the  overall   process...  the ? ?program,  and  rationale   for  developing  the ? ?new  academic ? ?program    Degree:   • • What  is  the  degree  or ? ?program  being  proposed?   Is  the  name  of  the  degree  or  program