Creating a new degree program is an extensive process that takes at least a year to complete. New degree programs require THECB and some require SACSCOC approval. Limited action can be taken with prospective students, advertising or the UNT degree inventory until UNT receives affirmative responses from the THECB/SACSCOC on new degree programs. Individual departments are responsible for ensuring discipline-specific accreditation standards are being met.

If you are creating a new degree program that will delivered 50% or more online, please consider the expectations listed in the Online Program Checklist when preparing the proposal.

If you are proposing a new dual or joint degree program, please see this additional information below.

If you have any questions about the process or the required paperwork for a new degree program, please contact University Accreditation.  There are differences in requirements depending on the program’s degree level.

Checklist for creating a new degree program

Flowchart for creating a new degree program and online course development process 

Checklist for online program expectations 

Create new dual/joint degree program

Creating a new dual or joint degree program or entering into a contractual or consortial agreement includes special requirements.

Creating a new dual or joint degree program is an extensive process that takes 1-2 years to complete.  New joint or dual degree programs require THECB and SACSCOC approval, and additional SACSCOC scrutiny as compared to typical new degree proposals. University Accreditation should be included in initial discussions prior to completing the proposal to the Provost’s office for planning authority or submitting the proposal to the curriculum committee. 

Entering into a contractual or consortial agreement with another institution to provide instruction or a portion of a degree program also carries additional SACSCOC scrutiny before the instruction can begin. University Accreditation should be included in initial discussions prior to signing any agreement with another institution to provide instruction or a portion of a degree program.

Contractual Agreements or Consortial Relationships

Entering into a contractual or consortial agreement to offer a dual or joint degree or instruction must comply with the SACSCOC policy on Agreements Involving Joint and Dual Academic. 

Definitions

Contractual agreement typically is one in which an institution enters an agreement for receipt of courses/programs or portions of courses or programs delivered by another institution or service provider.

Consortia relationship typically is one in which two or more institutions share in the responsibility of developing and delivering courses and programs that meet mutually agreed upon standards of academic quality. Notification of initiating program/courses delivered through contractual agreement or a consortium does not apply to articulation agreements with other institutions, clinical agreements or internship agreements.

Joint Degrees: A single program completion credential bearing the names, seals, and signatures of each of the two or more institutions awarding the degree to the student

Dual degree: Separate program completion credentials each of which bears only the name, seal, and signature of the institution awarding the degree to the student

Be Prepared

There is also an additional fee structure for SACSCOC prospectuses involving multiple institutions:

• For prospectuses involving multiple institutions, the fee for review will be $500 for each SACSCOC institution.
• For prospectuses that involve non-SACSCOC institutions, the fee will be $500 per SACSCOC institution, plus $7,500 for each non-SACSCOC institution. 

If you have any questions about the process or the required paperwork for consortial or contractual agreements, please contact University Accreditation.  Also please include University Accreditation on any discussions to create new dual or joint degree programs.