Proposals to Create or Change Academic Programs (PCCAP)

Faculty interested in creating, terminating, or significantly changing credit-bearing academic programs, sub-specialties (such as minors or tracks), or non-credit offerings are required to submit a Proposal to Create or Change Academic Programs (PCCAP).

To learn more or begin the process for PCCAP submission, please contact us at oapraa@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an initial consultation.

To view the comprehensive PCCAP process manual, click here.

Faculty should plan for the approvals process for new credit-bearing programs (majors, degrees) to take a year to complete.

PCCAP for Credit-Bearing Programs

Step 1: The PCCAP Proposal Concept

The adaptive online form will guide submitters in documenting the necessary information to activate the approval process. Information regarding the three primary proposal types for credit-bearing programs is below.

  • New Program

    A program is defined as any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award, such as a new major or credit-bearing certificate.

    If you are proposing a new minor, please contact OAPRAA.

    Generally, the new program proposal is for programs of study that are:

    • a new major or certificate (credit-bearing), or other uniquely bundled set of courses that is not currently listed in the catalog
    • a redesign of an existing program featuring greater than or equal to 50% new content and/or courses, and changes in program learning outcomes
    • a program of study offered at a new degree level (e.g., adding a master's degree in a subject currently taught at either the bachelor's or doctoral level)

    OAPRAA encourages submitters to plan for approximately one year for proposals to move through the approvals process. It is important to note that new degree types may take at least a calendar year and may require either notification to or approval from Vanderbilt's institutional accreditor. If approval is required, there are specific deadlines for submissions which could extend the approval time beyond a year. For more details on substantive changes, please visit the Institutional & Programmatic Accreditation page, or sign up for a Help Session with OAPRAA staff.

  • Change an Existing Program

    A program is defined as any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award. A program can be a major or credit-bearing certificate.

    Changes to existing courses or to existing course content do not require PCCAP approval. However, changes to the structure of a program may require either notification of or approval by SACSCOC, and thus require PCCAP approval.

    The following are examples of changes that require PCCAP approval, but is not an exhaustive list:

    • modification to the number of credit hours required for completion
    • changing the teaching modality (e.g., from on campus to online)
    • starting a joint academic award with another institution
    • starting a for-credit certificate with an institution that is not accredited by SACSCOC

    Please consult with OAPRAA staff when considering changes to the structure or delivery of a program.

  • Terminate an Existing Program

    A program is any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award. A program can be a major or credit-bearing certificate.

    Terminating an existing program occurs when a program ceases enrollment (not the point at which all enrolled students have graduated). This action requires notification to Vanderbilt's institutional accreditor. Programs cannot announce intentions to cease enrollment until this notification occurs.

  • The Proposal Concept is required for new program proposals prior to accessing the Full Proposal.
    • Ceasing enrollment in programs (closures) and proposing substantives changes to programs require only the Proposal Concept.
  • Faculty submitting a proposal for new Certificates, Programs, and/or Degree Types must have a Proposal Concept approved before submitting a proposal to their school’s or college’s curriculum committee(s) for consideration. Closing or proposing new minors and other specialties earned while enrolled in a program (sub-specialties) follow an expedited process described below.

Please use this PCCAP Proposal Concept (Guide) to become familiar with the contents of the official form (which is housed in Kuali). Please note that the Guides posted here are not used to submit a request; rather, they serve an informational purpose to inform a submitter of the material that will be needed to complete a formal submission.

Step 2: The PCCAP Full Proposal (for NEW Programs & Degree Types only)

  • After a PCCAP Proposal Concept has been reviewed and approved, individuals proposing a new program will be provided a link to the PCCAP Full Proposal Form (note: changes to or terminations of existing programs will not need a Full Proposal).
  • Please use this PCCAP Full Proposal (Guide)  to become familiar with the contents of the official form (which is housed in Kuali).
  • Additionally, the PCCAP Full Proposal will require a full educational programs assessment plan. Please use this template to document the necessary information requested in the PCCAP Full Proposal form and upload the document directly into the Kuali form.

Step 3: The PCCAP Approvals Process

There are differing levels of approval required, depending on the proposal type; they are described in the PCCAP process document linked at the top of this page. For a diagram of PCCAP approvals, please see this resource.

Note: The PCCAP process is not required for course-level changes (e.g., changing course descriptions, modifications to course content), or certain curriculum changes (e.g. changing the list of courses required in a program core, or updating program elective course options). To submit these types of change, please contact your college’s or school’s curriculum coordinator. Please contact OAPRAA if you are uncertain if a curriculum change will require PCCAP review.

PCCAP for Sub-Specialties

A sub-specialty at Vanderbilt is defined as a coherent set of for-credit coursework that may be completed along with a degree or major. These include minors, micro-credentials, concentrations, areas of focus, emphases, specializations, tracks, etc. Proposals to introduce a new sub-specialty or cease enrollment in an existing sub-specialty are captured in the PCCAP sub-specialties form, which has an expedited review and approval workflow as compared to that which is used to process activity related to credit-bearing programs (presented above).

To begin the process, please reach out to OAPRAA to schedule a brief consultation and to obtain access to the PCCAP sub-specialties form.

(note: this PCCAP form is in development and will be available soon — please do connect with OAPRAA to discuss immediate needs).

PCCAP for Non-Credit Offerings

A non-credit offering at Vanderbilt is defined as any certification, microcredential, or course that does not lead to a credit-bearing transcript and does not leverage any of Vanderbilt’s credit-bearing courses, programs, or sub-specialties. These non-credit offerings are designed to be flexible and responsive to the training needs of employers and emerging in-demand skills within the workforce. The PCCAP process for non-credit offerings is expedited and functions more as an administrative tracking mechanism to create an institutional list of all available non-credit offerings.

To begin the process, please reach out to OAPRAA to schedule a brief consultation and to obtain access to the PCCAP non-credit offerings form.