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Graduate Catalog, Academic Changes

Substantial academic changes process

What they are

Substantial academic changes are generally changes to the minimum degree requirements or academic policies of the Graduate School that govern all graduate programs. Proposals for such changes may be submitted to the Graduate School or Graduate Assembly by a graduate program or may be proposed by the membership or a standing committee of the Graduate Assembly. Also see Degree program changes for proposals such as changing the name of the program or adding or deleting a program.

Final approval

Approval required—Executive Vice President and Provost, on behalf of the president, and possibly UT System for information.

Process

1. Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)
   A graduate program may submit a proposal to change the general degree requirements or academic policies of the Graduate School via a memo to the Graduate Dean or via the Graduate Assembly. The Graduate Dean will forward proposals to the Graduate Assembly for review.
2. Standing Committees of the Graduate Assembly
   Proposals may also originate in the Graduate Assembly, via the membership or one of the standing committees. Proposals will be reviewed by one of the standing committees of the Graduate Assembly (Academic Committee, Administrative Committee, and Admissions and Enrollment Committee), which will make a recommendation to the Graduate Assembly. (For responsibilities of the standing committees, see PM 1.201, Rules and Bylaws of the Graduate Assembly.) Proposals recommended for approval by one of the standing committees go the Graduate Assembly for a vote.
3. Graduate Assembly
   Proposals approved by the Graduate Assembly are sent to the Graduate Dean.
4. Graduate School Dean
   The Graduate Dean forwards recommendation of approval or disapproval to the Executive Vice-President and Provost on behalf of the President.
5. The Executive Vice-President and Provost notifies the UT System of the change and asks for approval if necessary. (The Graduate School drafts the letter for the provost)

• Flowchart (PDF)
• Explanation of Graduate Catalog, academic changes process in PDF.