All IU Indianapolis graduate and professional degree program changes require formal approval by both the school dean and the Graduate Affairs Committee. Converting existing on-campus academic programs to hybrid or online, program name changes, and credit hour changes will need further approvals.
The IU Graduate School Indianapolis must receive changes to existing programs at least two (2) weeks prior to the next regularly scheduled Graduate Affairs Committee meeting. Please check the meeting schedule posted on the website.
Examples of changes to existing programs include:
Most changes to existing programs receive final approval once the GAC approves them, however there are some changes that will require further approvals. The IU Matrix and the Higher Learning Commission's (HLC) Screening Form for Changes to Existing Academic Programs are good resources to consult to determine if the changes will need to go beyond the GAC. The Graduate School will confirm if the proposed changes must go beyond the campus and institution. Note: the HLC form should not be submitted by a program or school. IU administration will determine the need for this form. The form is offered here only as a guide for programs.
Before proposing any changes, University Graduate School programs should consult the current University Graduate School Bulletin's "General Requirements" and "Academic Requirements," which provide broad outlines of university-accepted policies.
All IU degrees and programs proposing a change that constitutes 50 percent or more of the content taught online must request approval from the IU Online program. If you haven't done so already, contact the IU Office of Online Education to begin the online approval process.
The Graduate Affairs Committee will not review a proposal until IU Online gives its approval.
Academic program name changes are considered part of the academic program approval process. Once a name change for a degree, certificate, or track/concentration/specialization has been approved by the GAC, it is reported to the trustees as an information item. In some cases, it also is reported to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education also as an information item. See the Required Approval Matrix.
When a department has decided to propose a change to the name of an academic program, the dean of the academic unit must receive written approval from academic affairs to proceed with the development of a proposal.
Resources
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is the taxonomic coding scheme used for instructional programs in higher education. Its purpose is to facilitate the organization, collection, and reporting of fields of study and program completions. The academic unit should consult with the Office of the Registrar prior to submitting the proposal to determine whether a change to the CIP code used to classify the program is recommended.
Resources
Complete the cover sheet for a program name change and send it along with a cover letter to the GAC requesting review and approval.
Required Items:
Resources
Email Dezra Despain for information on submitting a program name change
The Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month between the months of August through May with the exceptions of September and December. In order for the proposal to be reviewed by the GAC, it must be received by the Indianapolis Graduate School no later than two (2) weeks prior to the GAC meeting.
Any questions about the GAC can be directed to Dezra Despain or Dr. Janice Blum
Resources
After the GAC approves the program name change, IU name change proposals will be entered into the APPEAR system by the IU Graduate School Indianapolis and forwarded to the Academic Leadership Council.
Following ALC approval, the change of name for a degree or certificate is reported to the trustees as an information item. In some cases, it also is reported to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education as an information item.
Once final approval has been given, the chief academic officer will send notification of approval to the dean of the originating unit, the Office of Communications and Marketing, the IU Indianapolis registrar, the director of Student Financial Services, and the director of graduate admissions where the major will be coded for inclusion in the master inventory.
School representatives can review the status using APPEAR after the proposal has been submitted to the APPEAR system.
Resources
Academic Leadership Council
Board of Trustees Meeting Dates
Indiana Commission for Higher Education Meeting Dates
Learn About APPEAR
Review Status in APPEAR