Academic Planning

Academic planning encompasses planning and approval for new academic programs (degrees, majors and certificates), substantial changes to those programs (renaming, mergers, suspending admissions, discontinuations), planning and approval for academic departments and centers/institutes, changes associated with subject listings and courses, assessment, and academic policy. Planning and approvals take place in the context of faculty policy and under the auspices of the University Academic Planning Council (UAPC), the University Curriculum Committee (UCC), and, if relevant, wider policy such as Faculty Policies and Procedures (FPP), System and Board of Regent policy, state legislation (Ch 36 of the WI state statutes), accreditation requirements, and federal regulation and legislation.

Support with Academic Planning

Programs should work through their School or College Dean’s offices when considering proposals. Karen Mittelstadt in Academic Planning and Institutional Research (APIR) serves as primary contact for School/College academic planners and should be contacted early in the planning cycle for guidance and clarification on the process.

Lumen

Lumen is the university’s online gateway system for faculty and governance bodies to update, track, and approve functions related to courses, curriculum, and programs. When faculty want to offer a new course, propose a new program, establish a center, modify an existing course or program, or take other action that impacts the university’s academic offerings and structures, Lumen provides consistent and standardized forms for collecting the needed information relevant to the proposed change. The following resources assist with access to and work within Lumen:

Academic Planning Actions

As noted above, the academic planning process follows a routing and approval process that is informed by campus, UW System, and sometimes external agency requirements. The UW-Madison Academic Program Approval Overview (pdf) details all possible academic actions and the required routing/approval flow for each.

The following list details common academic planning topics and actions and provides a resource/link for more information:

Degrees/Majors

Establish a New Degree/Major (Notice of Intent & Authorization Proposal)
Renaming an Existing Academic Degree/Major (KB)
Change of Academic/Administrative Home for Academic Programs and Subjects (KB)
Suspending or Discontinuing Degree/Major Programs (KB)
Substantially Redirect a Degree/Major: ≥50% Curricular Change (KB)
Changing the Start Term for a Cohort Program or Adding/Changing the Requirement for a Summer Term to Complete a Degree (KB)
Change CIP Code (KB)
Change of Admitting Status for a Master’s-Level Degree/Major (KB)
Approvals for Distance Education Programs and Courses (KB)
Approval and Reporting of Academic Activities at an Additional Location (KB)
Awarding Duplicate Degrees

Named Options

Refer to the comprehensive Named Option KB document for information on all actions associated with named options.

Certificate Programs

Refer to the comprehensive Certificate Program website for information on all actions associated with certificates.

Minors

Establish or Discontinue a Doctoral Minor (KB)

Departments

Refer to the comprehensive Academic Department website for information on all actions associated with departments.

Course Subject Listings and Instruction

Approval of Contractual Arrangements for the Delivery of Credit Instruction (KB)
Course Subject Listings (KB)
Change the Academic/Administrative Home of a Course Subject Listing (KB)
Rename a Course Subject Listing
Discontinue a Course Subject Listing

Centers/Institutes

Refer to the comprehensive Centers, Institutes, and Center-like Units website for information on all actions associated with centers and institutes.

Academic Program Review

Refer to the comprehensive Academic Program Review website for complete details.

Tuition

Revenue/131 Tuition Status: Requirements and Processes for Proposals (KB)
Tuition Structures for Degree/Majors and Certificate Programs (KB)