New Degrees (2-Year Process)

Guidance for proposing new bachelor's and master's degree programs at San José State University. Proposals for new programs can take up to 1.5 to 2 years to implement.

As soon as you know your department is considering proposing a new degree, please notify the Curriculum Office, as well as the college Dean and the Dean of Undergraduate Education or the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Certificates, concentrations, and program revisions follow different processes.
For proposing Doctoral Programs, view the guidance document.
For proposing Joint Degree programs, view the guidance document.

Submit & Track New Degree Program Proposal (Curriculog)

All new degree proposals must be submitted and routed through Modern Campus Curriculum (Curriculog).
Log in: https://sjsu.curriculog.com/ (or via one.sjsu.edu)

This is a two step process:

(1) Projection Proposal Submission:

Submit the **New Degree Program. View Submit a Proposal in Curriculum for help in initiating the proposal.
Attach a completed Projected Degree Proposal (template linked).
Once approved by the Deans/Provost, the proposed degree is submitted to the Campus Academic Master Plan for approval by the CSU Board of Trustees.

(2) Detailed Proposal Submission:

Once the projection is approved, the submitted *New Program Proposal will be routed back to you for submission of the detailed proposal.
- Templates & Reference Materials:
  1. A completed Degree Program Proposal (template linked- for bachelor's and master's only). Use the CSU New Degree Proposal Template_Faculty Checklist for guidance.
  2. Department Curriculum Committee Vote/Decision
  3. Advising Roadmap:
    - Include a undergraduate 2-year (if applicable per SB 1440) and undergraduate 4-year degree roadmaps. Blank Template for Ugrd 2-Year Roadmap [pdf], Blank Template for Ugrd 4-Year Roadmap [pdf]. View the Degree Roadmaps Required Units Checklist to help draft a new roadmap.
    - Graduate programs should also submit sample roadmaps.
  4. Comprehensive Assessment Plan (template linked)
  5. Curriculum Matrix (template linked)
  6. Course syllabi of new courses
  7. Special Session/Self Support proposals also require a budget: CSU CO’s Budget Template (template linked).

How New Degree Proposals Are Reviewed

New degree proposals typically require department, college, university, and CSU approval.

While most programs are department-based, some are housed within a college. In these cases, it’s important to ensure:

- A clear plan for staffing and scheduling any courses not housed in a department, typically managed by an Associate Dean.
- Agreement from department chairs to allow program students to enroll in their courses, with confirmation of course availability.
- Support from the college Dean, ensuring resources for program administration.
- (E.g.,Interdisciplinary Studies (BA/BS), Business Minor, Medical Product Development Management MS)

[View full curriculum process Curriculum Review Process (linked)]

Approval Steps

Department Curriculum Committee (optional in Curriculum)
Department Chair
College Curriculum Committee/Associate Dean
UGS Committee/ GS&R Committee
Curriculum and Research Committee
Dean for Undergraduate Education/ Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Provost
Chancellor's Office

Approval Steps for College-Housed Programs

College Curriculum Committee/Associate Dean
Undergraduate Studies (UGS) or Graduate Studies & Research (GS&R) Committee
Curriculum & Research Committee
Dean for Undergraduate Education or Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Provost
Chancellor's Office

Next Steps

New program is incorporated into the draft academic catalog for next AY.
New Academic Plan Code(s) is created effective fall 2026.
CSU Degrees Database and CSU TMC databases are updated as needed.
An implementation memo is sent out to stakeholders.
Notification to campus community via Curriculum Updates Google Group.
The new program is available to continuing students to declare effective fall 2026.
The new program is open to NEW students through Cal State Apply:
- for summer 2026 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by October 1, 2025.
- for fall 2026 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by September 1, 2025.
- for spring 2027 IF Academic Plan Codes are created by July 1, 2026.
MyProgress and MyPlanner for undergraduate programs are built as soon as possible.

Other Resources to Keep in Mind

If another department may be impacted by the proposal, Consultation (document linked) should take place.
When new degrees, concentrations, minors, certificates are approved , they are entered into PeopleSoft with a new academic plan code. View this guidance document for more information.

Master Lists

Using a master list of degree programs and reporting CSU Major/ CIP codes [pdf] [pdf], campuses report data to the Chancellor’s Office on applications, enrollments, and degrees granted.
View the WSCUC Degree Definition Guide [pdf] [pdf] for degree type definitions.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program List [pdf] [pdf] is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of study. For additional resources, visit the DHS website.

Search Engines

Use this search to find a community college that has an AA-T or AS-T for a program.
Search Degrees at the CSU using this link.

Need help?

Email: [email protected] | Phone: (408) 924-1521

Stay Informed

Feedback and questions are always welcome!