UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: Degree Name or Type Revision

I. Executive Summary

This procedure outlines the steps required to revise the name or type (M.A., M.S., B.A., B.S., etc.) of an existing degree program (not including certificates or concentrations). Degrees are approved by the Board of Governors, and as such any degree revisions must be approved by the UNC System Office. The procedures for revising the name or degree type of an existing degree program are governed by the System Office of the University of North Carolina under Section 400.1.1.1 Regulations for Academic Program Planning and Evaluation.

II. Procedure

Procedures to revise the name (major)/degree type of an existing degree program:

  1. The academic program/department drafts a memo to the Provost, including an explanation of the reason and rationale for the proposed revision
  2. The academic program/department/dean completes the Degree Name Revision form in Curriculog and uploads the request to the Provost
  3. Via Curriculog workflow, the request is routed to:
    1. Academic Dean of the College
    2. Provost
    3. Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee (for undergraduate changes) or the Graduate Council (for graduate changes)
    4. Faculty Executive Committee
    5. Faculty Council
    6. Provost
  4. The Provost sends a letter to the UNC System Office requesting permission for the revision
  5. Upon granting of permission by the UNC System Office, notification will be sent via Curriculog
  6. The Office of Assessment and Accreditation provides notification to SACSCOC
  7. Revision is effective the term following approval from the UNC System Office
  8. The department will coordinate with Academic Affairs and the respective college communicator to prepare an announcement to be made to campus, which will include the effective date of the program name change

III. Definitions

  • Academic Department – A unit within a college representing a discipline. For example, the Department of English is in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS).
  • Provost – Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost is the chief academic officer who oversees all academic affairs activities, including research and faculty. The Deans of each College report to the Provost.

IV. Procedure Contact(s)

V. History

  • Established: November 15, 2011
  • Revised: February 3, 2016 [Added SACSCOC notification into steps]
  • Revised: June 22, 2018 [Process modified to use Curriculog]
  • Revised: April 8, 2021 [Included degree type in procedure]
  • Revised: September 8, 2021 [Clarified process for communicating changes and inclusion of Director of Communications role]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

VII. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is this procedure referenced?
    The procedure is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website.
  • Does revising the name of the degree automatically change the name of the academic department or school?
    No. Revising the name of the academic department or school must be requested to the Provost who will undertake consultation with the Faculty under UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: Academic Department/School: Establishment, Name Change, or Relocation.
  • Does this procedure apply to revising the name for certificates?
    Name revisions to certificates only require notification to the UNC System Office, not approval. For name changes to certificates, the academic program/department/dean should send the request to the Provost, including an explanation of the reason for the proposed change. The Provost will then send a letter of notification to the UNC System Office.
  • When is the name revision effective?
    The degree name revision is effective the term following approval from the UNC System Office. Any student who graduates in the effective term or later will graduate under the new name.