Program Revisions

Proposals for revisions to any Sonoma State degree, minor, concentration or emphasis program must be submitted in Curriculog and will be reviewed by the Educational Policies Committee (EPC). The Committee will refer to program review documents, which provide evidence for the need for curricular changes.

Departments that have not completed a program review in more than five years may not be able to present adequate rationale or evidence for revisions to existing programs. Departments looking to make curriculum changes to Sonoma State majors should reference CSU’s Guidelines when creating and finalizing their proposal. Curriculum changes to the number of units required for a degree program must be reported to the Chancellor's Office. Departments looking to make curriculum changes to a program by 25% may require WASC approval.

Types of Revisions

Revisions can include:

• Changing a Degree Title or Suggesting a New Code (PDF)
• Degree Designation Change (PDF)
• WSCUC Distance Education Determination: Changing modality for Existing Programs Updated 9/20/22
• Converting Pilots to Regular Program Status (PDF)
• Guidance for Proposing ITEP Programs (PDF)
• Program Discontinuation (PDF)
• Adding Options, Concentrations, Emphases, and Minors (PDF) Updated 9/26/22
• Guidance for Certificates and Certificate Programs (PDF)
• Adding a Self-Support Version of a State-Support Offering (PDF)
• Converting from Self Support to State Support (PDF)
• EPC Policy on Off-Site Programs
• Substantive Changes to Existing Programs (PDF)

Concentrations, Options, Specializations, or Electives

All programs must be in compliance with Executive Order 1071 and Senate Policy 14-9:

Concentrations, options, specializations or electives within degree program must constitute less than half of the units required in the program, which could include preparation for the major, core courses, and major requirements, including culminating experience units (project, portfolio, or 299). Concentrations must also abide by the following requirement:

• For Undergraduate Programs: At least 10% of the units for the degree must have a unique set of requirements for that concentration.
• For Graduate Programs: At least 30% of the units for the degree must be a unique set of requirements for that concentration.

Major Changes to Existing Programs

Program revisions seeking to request any of the following are considered major when:

• Proposals with impact on other disciplines, including all program name changes.
• Proposals requiring an increase in resources.
• Proposals seeking to increase program total units, for undergraduate programs include a 2-year and 4-year degree roadmap. 
• Changing a Degree Name
  • Complete a memo requesting the name change:
  • Changing the name of an existing degree or concentration may be permitted so long as the new name conforms to the existing CSU-assigned HEGIS/CIP code for the degree. Some names (e.g., architecture) are restricted. Please see CIP Resources for more information.
• Changing Degree Designation
  • Changing a BA to BS, or a similar change in degree category, is considered a new degree for the campus and must follow procedures for new degrees, including prior Chancellor's Office approval before the new designation can be publicized. Condensation of a BA into an existing BS or vice-versa requires official discontinuation of one degree but is otherwise an “Academic Major/Minor Curriculum Change”, please use the New Degree Proposal form in Curriculog to submit this request.

Delivering Your Revision

• Proposals for changes to degree, minor, concentration or emphasis program will be reviewed by Academic Programs, General Education SubCommittee (if applicable), School Curriculum Committee, the School Dean, the Graduate Studies Subcommittee (if applicable) , EPC, the Senate, the President, Chancellor's Office (for Name or Degree Designation Changes only).
• Enter your Program Revision proposal in Curriculog.