51²è¹Ý

The Educational Programs Committee (EPC) is the university-wide committee that reviews proposed changes submitted by the Schools and College and that advises the Provost on these items. Once the EPC approves a proposal, it is sent to the Provost. Depending on the level of the curricular change, and if the Provost accepts the EPC’s recommendation, the item is sent to the Board of Trustees either in the form of a request for approval by BOT vote or as an information item. Board approval is required for the following curricular changes: opening or closing of all diplomas, degrees or certificates. In addition, the Board is notified of, but does not approve, the creation or discontinuance of minors, the shortening or lengthening of any diploma, degree or certificate. One note: If the increase or decrease in credit hour requirements is significant (25% or more), the change will require both a BOT vote and pre-approval from SACSCOC.

Effective Fall 2024, the EPC will no longer accept the “Long Form” and Short Form” for proposals.  All proposals must be submitted on the new EPC forms.

Effective Spring 2025, departments and schools submitting proposals must use the docusign versions of EPC forms to submit.  We no longer accept word or pdf versions of proposals.

Please note, in order to submit a proposal to EPC, both the submitting department and the college or school in which they are housed must be fully compliant and up to date with academic program assessment.  If we receive proposals from departments or schools that are not fully compliant and up to date, they will be tabled until program assessment is satisfactorily completed.

(please use the bold when adding this if that is an option or italics if bold is not an option).

Please also make the changes below to the “Policies and Guidance” page, right at the top:

CIP Code Guidance:  When selecting a CIP code for a new program, please read the description that accompanies the code before selecting.  EPC requires that at least 50% of the learning outcomes for the proposed must clearly align with the CIP code description.  Further, at least 50% of the coursework composing the program must align with the CIP code description.

When proposing a change of CIP code, proposing departments must clearly demonstrate a significant change in the content of the program.  Changes must clearly align with the description of the proposed CIP code.  When evaluating the request for a CIP code change, the standard above will apply.

51²è¹Ý Undergraduate Degree Definitions and Overlap Policies (Undergraduate)

51²è¹Ý awards a number of undergraduate credentials. These may be transcripted or not transcripted, depending on the credential. Definitions and minimum credit hours to earn the credential as well as minimum unique hours to earn the credential follow.

Major: An undergraduate major is a coherent primary program within an academic discipline or interdisciplinary subject area. It requires a minimum of thirty credit hours of related coursework to complete a major. Individual schools and colleges establish the upper limit of courses/credit-hours required for a particular major. The major appears on both the diploma and the transcript. Fifteen credit hours must be unique to the major and may not count toward the fulfillment of additional majors or minors. Students at 51²è¹Ý may complete majors in multiple colleges or schools. 

Minor: An undergraduate minor is a focused area of study not necessarily related to the major and may be completed in another school or college from the student’s major(s). Minors require a minimum of fifteen credit hours of related coursework. Nine credit hours must be unique to the minor and may not count toward the fulfillment of majors or additional minors. The minor appears only on the transcript.

Concentration/Track: A concentration or track is a focus within an approved major field of study. Students may have more than one concentration or track, if their major is structured to allow this. However, students completing more than one track or concentration within a single major may not double count courses across concentrations/tracks. The concentration or track does not appear on the diploma or the transcript. Concentrations/tracks are not standalone credentials and may not be awarded outside of the major with which they are associated.

Specialization: A specialization is a formally recognized group of interrelated courses within a major field. A specialization differs from a concentration or track in that it appears on the transcript. A specialization is not reflected on the diploma. Students may complete more than one specialization, if their major is structured to accommodate this. However, students completing more than one specialization within the same major may not double count courses across specializations. Specializations are not standalone credentials and may not be awarded outside of the major with which they are associated.

Questions or concerns? Email us at smuepc@smu.edu for assistance.