Center for Academic Innovation

  • owl statue

Center for Academic Innovation

Center for Academic Innovation

The Center for Academic Innovation partners with faculty to catalyze innovation and expand opportunities for students through new academic initiatives. The Center serves as a portal to explore ideas with faculty, connect potential internal and external stakeholders, coordinate curricular review and approval, and operational resources as needed for development, marketing, and launch.       

If you have an idea for a new credential, degree-granting program, pathway, or partnership, please submit the New Program Submission Form, and contact Associate Provost Jennifer Tole (tole@rowan.edu) for early guidance on the approval process. 

The resources below provide more information about the program approval process.

Resources

New Program Development at Rowan University

Click here [PDF] to view the full details outlining how to implement a new degree program at Rowan University.

Note: Before taking any action towards proposing a new degree program, please contact the Provost’s Office (Jennifer Tole, tole@rowan.edu).

CAI Form Worksheet
This worksheet [PDF] mirrors the Qualtrics survey and allows you to develop your submission offline prior to submitting.
Resources for CIP codes and Occupational Data

The following links may be useful prior to you submitting your idea.  

Academic Innovation and Accreditation

Developing new programs, or making significant changes to existing programs, delivery modes, locations, or partnerships, may require prior approval or notification of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

The University’s MSCHE accreditation defines its approved scope, including delivery modalities, instructional locations, and educational arrangements with third parties, other institutions, or industry partners. Any change to this scope, may constitute a Substantive Change requiring MSCHE review.

Examples of a Substantive Change might include: 

  1. New location, including the establishment of additional locations or branch campuses 
  2. Modality changes, including delivering 50% or more of a program in a new modality
  3. Educational Partnerships, including joint or dual degrees, structured transfer pathways, or other institutional or industry partnerships
If you are developing a new program or planning significant program changes that involve the criteria above, contact: Dr. Jennifer Tole (tole@rowan.edu).
Typical Program Approval Process
steps to new program implementation

  • A Request for Preliminary Authorization (aka white paper) is submitted to the Provost Office to seek permission to use resources to develop new academic offerings. The current template is available here.
  • Accepted white papers are presented to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee. After obtaining Preliminary Authorization at this step the academic offering can progress. Governance dates can be found here.
  • Academic offerings must be reviewed through the Senate Curriculum Committee process and voted on by the University Senate, which is detailed here. Academic offerings are then reviewed by the Provost Office and submitted to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee for approval by the full Board of Trustees. Governance dates can be found here.
  • New academic degree programs require approval by the State of New Jersey via the Academic Issues Committee and the New Jersey President’s Council. This process is described in detail here.