West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 133 - Higher Education Policy Commission › Title 133 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION › Series 133-11 - Standards and Processes for Approval of New Academic Programs › Section 133-11-4 - Submission Guidelines and Timelines

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
4.1. Proposals for
				Commission approval of new academic undergraduate degree programs are not
				required unless the degree is intended to offer a new teaching specialization
				at a State university. If the proposal is to add a new teaching specialization,
				such proposal shall be submitted to the Chancellor a minimum of 90 days prior
				to the intended implementation date.
4.2. Proposals to add new baccalaureate,
				graduate or professional degree programs shall be submitted to the Chancellor a
				minimum of 90 days prior to the intended date of implementation.
4.3. Proposals to add majors within a degree
				program require approval of the State university's board of governors. Upon
				such approval by the board of governors, the State university shall report the
				newly approved majors to the Commission's Division of Academic
				Affairs.
4.4. Decisions to
				establish areas of emphasis, certificate programs, or baccalaureate minors may
				be made at the institutional board of governors' level or may be delegated to
				the institutional president by the board of governors and do not require
				Commission approval.
4.5.
				Institutions shall submit notices of intent to offer existing bachelor's or
				master's degree programs at new locations to the Chancellor at least 90 days
				prior to the date of implementation. The Chancellor shall render a decision
				regarding whether the institutions can proceed to develop and submit a proposal
				prior to the intended date of implementation of any program change. The
				Chancellor may approve exceptions to the requirement of 90 days' notice upon
				request by an institution and for good cause shown.
4.6. If an institution is statutorily
				authorized to offer associate degree programs, it must submit its proposals to
				offer existing associate level degree programs at new locations to the
				Chancellor not less than 45 days prior to the date for intended implementation.
				The Chancellor shall render a decision regarding whether the institutions can
				proceed to develop and submit a proposal prior to the intended date of
				implementation of any program change. The Chancellor may approve exceptions to
				the requirement of 90 days' notice upon request by an institution and for good
				cause shown. New associate programs must also have the approval of the West
				Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.
4.7. An institution planning to offer
				existing academic programs or courses at sites outside West Virginia must have
				the approval of the appropriate out-of-state agency which regulates such
				offerings, as well as the approval of the Commission. Any program, once
				approved, may continue, as long as the institution has the continuing approval
				of the appropriate out-of-state agency.
4.8. Unless exempted by the Commission,
				duplication of academic program delivery at the same location by different
				institutions is not permitted. Any exemption will require Commission approval
				based upon written justification and documentation of need submitted to the
				Commission.
4.9. The Commission
				reserves the right to modify any program action which affects the mission of
				the institution or otherwise has statewide impact.