L&S Academic Planning: New Majors, Certificates, and Formally Transcripted Options

This page provides a brief overview of new major, named option, certificate, and graduate degree program development in the College of Letters and Science. Key contacts and links are provided below.

Overview

Creating a new program is a multi-step process. At UW-Madison, "program" refers to a major, named option, certificate, doctoral minor, or graduate degree program, such as a master's or PhD. Please note that UW-Madison uses the term "named option" to refer to specific area of curricular emphasis within a degree program, rather than tracks. Within the College of Letters and Science administration, the Teaching, Learning, and Academic Planning (TLA) unit provides guidance, resources, and help to units that would like to create a new academic program.  In addition to staff in L&S-TLA, programs should consult and keep the appropriate Academic Associate Dean updated on plans.

At the campus level, the University Academic Planning Council (UAPC) has outlined procedures for approval of new academic programs, including new undergraduate majors, undergraduate or graduate degree programs, or certificates. The campus office of Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research (DAPIR) provides overall guidance and shepherds proposals through campus and UW-System governance processes.

Where to Start

The first step is for the department/unit to discuss plans internally and then consult with staff in TLA and the Academic Associate Dean. Faculty considering substantive changes to their academic unit's program array should involve their department chair or program director. DAPIR has information on the New Program Development website that provides an overview and links to resources and policy.  The online Lumen System is used to capture essential elements, documentation, and also serves as a workflow tool through governance for new programs. The following items are essential attributes of a new program:

  • Official Name of the program
  • Degree or credential type (e.g., major, undergraduate certificate, master's, etc.)
  • Department and School/College that serve as the administrative home
  • Total number of credits required
  • Audience (undergraduate, special, graduate )
  • Tuition Structure
  • Program requirements and curriculum
  • Program learning outcomes
  • Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code, which is established by campus, only for new degree programs and majors
  • Accreditation, if relevant
All proposals submitted for consideration should be approved by the faculty at the department/program level before they are submitted formally to the College. The development of programs involving faculty or courses from different units should include consultation with those units. Proposals will be expected to include memos, preferably indicating support, from those units. 

Timing and Governance

The governance path varies based on proposal type. This impacts the timing. All new programs are implemented for Fall term. Please note that new credentials cannot be awarded retroactively and a program must formally exist and have been approved through governance for a student to be admitted to it and earn the credential. 

Types of new proposals

A brief overview of different proposals types with typical governance and timing is provided below. All proposals are circulated for comment with other schools/colleges.  If the creation of a new program may have implications for other units on campus (similarity in name/mission/purpose, real of perceived overlap, etc.), when the proposal is circulated, the Dean will also ask for those units' concurrence as well.

Abbreviations:

L&S CC = College of Letters and Science Curriculum Committee

L&S APC = College of Letters and Science Academic Planning Council

GFEC = Graduate School Faculty Executive Committee

UAPC = University Academic Planning Council

Certificates, named options, and graduate minors: 

New certificates, named options, and doctoral minors go through a one-stage governance process via a Lumen program proposal.

  • Certificates can be created at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate level.

  • Named options represent a transcripted area of study within a major or degree.  Named option policy

  • Governance path: Department/unit faculty approval → L&S administrative review →L&S CC →L&S APC→ GFEC→UAPC

New majors or degrees:

New majors or degrees typically go through a two-stage governance process as outlined here.

Stage 1: Notice of Intent (NOI)

Written proposal requesting that the proposed new major or degree be allowed to move forward to the detailed planning stage. The NOI provides a high level overview of the new major or degree. 

  • A Lumen structures proposal is the administrative software used to share NOIs.

  • L&S APC reviews the NOI and votes on approval. 

  • Example: Notice of Intent, BA/BS-Mathematical Economics

  • Governance, NOI: Department/unit faculty approval → L&S administrative review →L&S CC→L&S APC→ GFEC→UAPC→UW System approval

Stage 2: Full Request for Authorization
After the NOI is approved by UW System, a unit may submit the full request with a detailed curriculum, budget, and other details via a Lumen proposal.  

  • The L&S APC reviews the Lumen proposal and documents and votes on approval.

  • Example: New BA/BS Korean Language and Culture, go to History on the right and click on “1. Oct 13, 2025” to see the original proposal

  • Governance, Request for Authorization: Department/unit faculty approval → L&S administrative review →L&S CC →L&S APC→ GFEC →UAPC →Board of Regents 

Contact information

Academic Associate Dean

Assistant Dean for Academic Planning (Kim Grocholski, kim.grocholski@wisc.edu)


Keywords:
Curriculum Change Program Major Degree Certificate New Program Named Options UAPC Program approval 
Doc ID:
20049
Owned by:
Kimberly G. in L&S KB
Created:
2011-08-29
Updated:
2026-07-31
Sites:
L&S KB
Policy and procedures for administering programs and units in, and advancing the mission of, L&S. This section covers a wide range of topics, from creating new courses and programs to administering TA budgets and developing for-credit outreach initiatives.