New certificates, degrees and graduate programs, including articulation arrangements with other institutions, must be approved by The Graduate School. Many proposals also require approval by the SUNY-system and NYSED. Normally, departments/programs will begin the process by consulting with The Graduate School staff to assemble the information necessary for review.
New "campus" certificates must be approved by The Graduate School, including the Graduate Council and then, via The Graduate School, by the SUNY-system and NYSED. Once submitted to The Graduate School, the process requires a year or more for completion.
Resources:
Binghamton University guidelines for new graduate certificates (PDF)
SUNY guidelines for new graduate certificates (PDF)
New graduate degrees must be approved by The Graduate School, which includes the Provost, Vice Provost & Dean of The Graduate School and Graduate Council (reviewed first by Curriculum Committee). A market analysis and a business plan are required. The Graduate School may assist with these, but the requirement is the responsibility of those making the proposal.
New graduate degrees and programs always require approval by the SUNY-system and NYSED as well. The SUNY-system requires a letter of intent (notification that is sent out to SUNY campuses). The Graduate School assists with that preparation and The Graduate School submits it to SUNY-system.
After approval of the formal proposal by The Graduate School (including the Provost and Graduate Council), the Faculty Senate (which includes the EPPC and the Faculty Senate Executive Committee) reviews the proposal. After review by the Faculty Senate, The Graduate School submits the formal proposal to SUNY system, which in turn submits it to the NYS Education Department. Both must approve the formal proposal. Provided that the original proposal meets the standards of the various levels of scrutiny, that process generally requires about one year. New graduate programs usually also require a site review by an external panel approved by SUNY system.
1. Letter-of-Intent-to-Propose-a-New-Graduate-Degree
The "Letter of Intent" (LOI) template corresponds to the November 2005 SUNY-system format. Please use the sub-headings (A-D) and the numbered sub-sub-headings. Please address each item under the sub- or sub-sub-headings. This will make it easier for The Graduate School, Provost, Graduate Council, Faculty Senate, external reviewers, SUNY-system and NYSED to locate the essential information.
Before embarking on the preparation of a LOI, please discuss your ideas with the Dean of your unit and the Dean of The Graduate School.
Resources
Upon completion of a draft of the LOI, please send an electronic copy to The Graduate School for review.
2. Formal Proposal
This "Formal Proposal" template corresponds to the November 2005 SUNY-system format.
Please use the sub-headings (A-G) and the numbered sub-sub-headings. Please address each item under the sub- or sub-sub-headings. This will make it easier for The Graduate School, Provost, Graduate Council, Faculty Senate, and SUNY-system to locate the essential information.
SUNY format document: For more detail, see pages 4-10 of "Guidelines for the Submission of Graduate Academic Program Proposals" SUNY-system version November 2005 (PDF).
Graduate Program Handbook: It is recommended that the description of the program (e.g., admission requirements, degree requirements, advising and supervision) adhere to the guidelines of the national Council of Graduate Schools. See Graduate Program Handbook Template (.docx).
Revisions to graduate degrees must also be approved by The Graduate School. Depending on the type and extent of revision, approval by SUNY and NYSED may also be required. Revisions cannot be posted or advertized if they haven't been approved. Please use the SUNY guidelines provided when drafting the proposal and submit your proposal to the Associate Dean of The Graduate School. The proposal will be reviewed by the Curriculum Committee and also by the Graduate Council.
Revisions to graduate programs, such as grievance procedures, exam deadlines and policies, and academic probation policies, should be discussed with The Graduate School. The Graduate School can assist with ensuring that programs are aligned with national best practices in graduate education.
Articulation agreements (between any Binghamton University department/school and an external department/school/university) must be approved by The Graduate School and may require additional approvals, depending on the type of arrangement and institutions involved. Articulation agreements include the exchange of graduate students between institutions without paying additional tuition and must follow SUNY-system guidelines.
