Most academic programs at UW-Madison are structured such that students complete curricular requirements in courses offered in the fall and spring terms. Some highly structured, sequential programs require students to begin their studies in a specific term and follow requirements within a cohort.

The addition of a required summer term, the modification of a required start term, and/or the modification to more than 50% of the curriculum are significant and require school/college and university approval as these changes impact faculty and students, academic planning, admission, and financial aid.

1. Addition of Required Summer Term and/or Modification of Required Start Term

   The following entities must approve the addition of a required summer term and/or modification of a required start term for academic programs:

   • Academic Unit that offers the program
   • Dean and School/College Academic Planning Council 
   • Graduate Faculty Executive Committee (for Graduate School programs only)
   • University Academic Planning Council

   The University Academic Planning Council offers automatic consent for graduate programs seeking to add a required summer term or modify a required start term once approved by GFEC. In all cases, proposals must be submitted via Lumen Programs.

2. Curricular Modifications Greater Than 50%

   The following entities must approve changes to an academic program’s curriculum when the changes equate to more than 50% of the curriculum, e.g., more than half of the program’s required courses change:

   • Academic Unit that offers the program
   • Dean and School/College Academic Planning Council
   • Graduate Faculty Executive Committee (for Graduate School programs only)
   • University Academic Planning Council
   • UW System Approval

   In all cases, proposals must be submitted via Lumen Programs.

Lumen Programs

UW System Administrative Policy 102, Policy on University of Wisconsin System Array Management: Program Planning, Delivery, Review, and Reporting, Section 3.2.2.