Changes to Existing Rackham Programs
The Graduate School must review and approve proposals for substantive revisions before these can be applied to program curriculum and requirements. This approval is part of regular oversight, and ensures that degree audits and published program information are accurate.
Major Changes
Substantive changes that affect the scope or nature of the program need to be reviewed by the Rackham deans and often by the Rackham Executive Board. These include:
- Change in the mission or focus of the program, including change of the program name.
- Modifications to admission requirements.
- Any change that has implications for the level or nature of student career prospects.
- Change in the number of required credit hours.
- Addition of a new plan or cancellation of an existing one; an addition of a new plan requires approval from the President’s Council before it can be advertised or students admitted.
- Alteration of candidacy requirements for doctoral programs.
- A revision to provide half or more of instruction through distance learning.
- A relaxation of requirements for training in quantitative methods.
- The end of the participation of a collaborating program, or the participation of a new department or program in an interdisciplinary graduate program.
To seek approval for a substantive change, submit a detailed explanation that discusses the difference between the existing program and the proposed program, the rationale for the change, anticipated results, and the process used to seek faculty approval for the change. Send this and any supporting documentation to Assistant Dean John Godfrey.
Minor Changes
Faculty members often make minor changes to program curriculum; for these, consultation is available but review is not required.
Changes that must be reported to Rackham Academic Records and Dissertations for degree audit purposes but do not require review and approval include:
- Revisions to cognate requirements that conform to Rackham policy.
- Changes in foreign language requirements.
- Revisions to thesis/capstone project requirements for a master’s program.
- Addition of a new sub-plan or cancellation of an existing one.
Minor changes that can be made without reporting include:
- Introduction of a new core course to replace an existing one.
- Changes in courses that do not affect the number of required credit hours.
- Minor curriculum changes in response to recommendations by an external review or to meet accreditation requirements.