New Degree Program

Guidance for proposing new bachelor's and master's degree programs at San Jos茅 State University. 

For proposing Doctoral Programs, view the . 
For proposing Joint Degree programs, view the . 

Proposals for new programs can take up to 1.5 to 2 years to implement. As soon as you know your department is considering proposing a new degree, please notify the Curriculum Office and the College Dean. 

This is a two step process:

(1) Projection Proposal Submission
  • Submit the **New Degree Program. View  for help in initiating the proposal.  
    • Attach a completed  (template linked).

  • Once approved by the Deans/Provost, the projected degree proposal is submitted to the Campus Academic Master Plan for approval by the CSU Board of Trustees. ()

    There are two submission cycles: Traditional (December) and Summer (May)
(2) Detailed Proposal Submission
  • Once the projection degree proposal is approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, the submitted *New Program Proposal will be routed back to you for submission of the detailed proposal.

    • Attachments:  
      1. A completed  (template linked- for bachelor's and master's only). Use the  for guidance.
      2. Department Curriculum Committee Vote/Decision
      3. Advising Roadmap:
      4.  (template linked)
      5.  (template linked)
      6. Course syllabi of new courses
      7. Special Session/Self Support proposals also require a budget: CSU CO鈥檚  (template linked).

  • Once approved by campus, the full degree proposal is submitted to the Chancellor's Office for review and approval. 

How New Degree Proposals Are Reviewed

Department 鈫� College 鈫� University 鈫� CSU 

While most programs are department-based, some are housed within a college. In these cases, it鈥檚 important to ensure:

    • A clear plan for staffing and scheduling any courses not housed in a department, typically managed by an Associate Dean.
    • Agreement from department chairs to allow program students to enroll in their courses, with confirmation of course availability.
    • Support from the college Dean, ensuring resources for program administration.
    • (E.g.,Interdisciplinary Studies (BA/BS), Business Minor, Medical Product Development Management MS)
Approval Steps
  1. Department Curriculum Committee (optional in Curriculum)
  2. Department Chair
  3. College Curriculum Committee/Associate Dean
  4. UGS Committee/ GS&R Committee
  5. Curriculum and Research Committee
  6. Undergraduate Education Approver/ Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
  7. Provost
  8. Chancellor's Office

[View full curriculum process  (linked)]

Approval Steps for College-Housed Programs 
  1. College Curriculum Committee/Associate Dean
  2. UGS Committee/ GS&R Committee
  3. Curriculum and Research Committee
  4. Undergraduate Education Approver/ Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
  5. Provost
  6. Chancellor's Office 
Next Steps 
  • New program is incorporated into the draft academic catalog for next AY.
  • New Academic Plan Code(s) is created effective fall 2027.
  • CSU Degrees Database and CSU TMC databases are updated as needed.
  • An implementation memo is sent out to stakeholders.
  • Notification to campus community via Curriculum Updates Google Group.
  • The new program is available to continuing students to declare effective fall 2027.
  • The new program is open to NEW students through Cal State Apply:
    • for summer 2027 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by October 1, 2026. 
    •  for fall 2027 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by September 1, 2026. 
    • for spring 2027 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by July 1, 2026. 
  • MyProgress and MyPlanner for undergraduate programs are built as soon as possible. 

 

Search Engines

  • Use  to find a community college that has an AA-T or AS-T for a program.
  • Search Degrees at the CSU using .