Graduate Degree Program Processes

Proposing New Graduate Program

Development of innovative new programs is critical for UTRGV to fulfill its mission of transforming the Rio Grande Valley, the Americas, and the World and to become an emerging research university. The Office of Executive Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies and New Program Development continuously solicits, captures, and receives new program ideas/proposals from the campus community including faculty, staff, students, chairs, directors, deans, VPs, EVPs, Deputy President, and the President and coordinates reviews of all new program ideas/proposals. The office also assists with all aspects of proposal development including market analysis, student demand assessments, existing programs information collection, library resources, CIP codes, marketable skills, employment statistics, UTRGV data, and full budget development.

New Program Development Process

Guide to Required Forms

The New Program Request Form for Bachelor’s and Master’s is to be used when adding a new master’s degree program. Please see Standards for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs for developing proposal and CB Rules Chapter 5, Subchapter C, Section 5.45.

The Certification Form for New Bachelor’s and Master’s Program is required if the program is outside engineering and will result in new recurring costs to the institution of less than $2 million over its first five years.

The New Doctoral Program Form is to be used when adding a new doctoral program. Please see the Guidelines for Institutions Submitting Proposals for New Doctoral Programs, Coordinating Board Rules §5.46, and the Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs. Use the Program Funding Estimation Tool. If the proposed program is not listed in the program inventory, you must submit a Preliminary Authority Request before beginning the program proposal stage.