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Combined Degree Programs

Proposals to create formal pathways dovetailing existing registered degree programs available to students in most cases (as of March 2018) do not require NYS registration action unless involving a program or programs leading to NYS licensure. Contemplated and proposed multi-award program pathways do, however, require campus level review and authorization actions similar to other program development reviews within campus governance. This is also true for combined program pathways to be established via agreements with other institutions of higher education.

Until such time as the University at Albany develops its own form for multi-award or multi-institutional program pathways proposals, departments should continue to use SUNY Form 3B from the SUNY Forms for Academic Program Planning inventory to propose such arrangements.

Since multi-award or multi-institutional proposal pathway proposals couple existing registered degree programs, the procedural review requirements for approval are abbreviated in comparison to those for entirely new graduate degree programs.

Step-by-step procedures – Approvals implied at all steps

  1. A Proposal to establish a new combined program pathway is prepared using Form 3B at SUNY Forms for Academic Program Planning, along with the University at Albany Campus Impact Form (CIF). These forms are directed from the originating department(s) or committee to the respective school or college dean(s).
  2. The school/college dean(s) endorse the Proposal and transmit it to the Undergraduate or Graduate Dean, or both, as appropriate.
  3. The Undergraduate or Graduate Dean (or both as appropriate), after review for completeness, forwards the Proposal and CIF for consideration and transmittal to governance by the University Planning and Policy Council (UPPC), Undergraduate Academic Council (UAC) and/or Graduate Academic Council (GAC) as warranted based on the levels of study proposed for coupling. Unless involving a licensure qualifying program (NYSED action required) approvals by UPPC, UAC and GAC are considered final and the Proposal upon collective approvals is reported to the Senate and announced for implementation.