Proposals to Create or Change Academic Programs (PCCAP)

Vanderbilt University and its faculty serve students through for-credit and non-credit academic engagements. The university provides a framework to differentiate:

  • For-credit engagements are referred to as programs, either degree-bearing programs (majors), sub-specialties (minors) or other credit-bearing programs (tracks or standalone certificates).
  • Non-credit engagements are referred to as offerings, and include lifelong learning and professional continuing education (e.g. MOOCs, micro-credentials).   

Faculty interested in creating, terminating, or significantly changing a for-credit program are required to submit a Proposal to Create or Change Academic Programs (PCCAP). To learn how, please contact us at oapraa@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an initial consultation.

For non-credit offerings, see below.

To view the comprehensive PCCAP process manual, click here.

Faculty should plan for the approvals process for new credit-bearing programs (majors, degrees) to take a year to complete if external approvals (Board of Trust or Accreditors) are required.

PCCAP for Credit-Bearing Programs

The PCCAP Proposal Concept

The adaptive online form will guide submitters in documenting the necessary information to activate the approval process. Information regarding the three primary proposal types for credit-bearing programs is below.

  • New Program

    A program is defined as any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award, such as a new major or credit-bearing certificate.

    If you are proposing a new minor, please contact OAPRAA.

    Generally, the new program proposal is for programs of study that are:

    • a new major or certificate (credit-bearing), or other uniquely bundled set of courses that is not currently listed in the catalog
    • a redesign of an existing program featuring greater than or equal to 50% new content and/or courses, and changes in program learning outcomes
    • a program of study offered at a new degree level (e.g., adding a master's degree in a subject currently taught at either the bachelor's or doctoral level)

    OAPRAA encourages submitters to plan for approximately one year for proposals to move through the approvals process. It is important to note that new degree types may take at least a calendar year and may require either notification to or approval from Vanderbilt's institutional accreditor. If approval is required, there are specific deadlines for submissions which could extend the approval time beyond a year. For more details on substantive changes, please visit the Institutional & Programmatic Accreditation page, or sign up for a Help Session with OAPRAA staff.

  • Change an Existing Program

    A program is defined as any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award. A program can be a major or credit-bearing certificate.

    Changes to existing courses or to existing course content do not require PCCAP approval. However, changes to the structure of a program may require either notification of or approval by SACSCOC, and thus require PCCAP approval.

    The following are examples of changes that require PCCAP approval, but is not an exhaustive list:

    • modification to the number of credit hours required for completion
    • changing the teaching modality (e.g., from on campus to online)
    • starting a joint academic award with another institution
    • starting a for-credit certificate with an institution that is not accredited by SACSCOC

    Please consult with OAPRAA staff when considering changes to the structure or delivery of a program.

  • Terminate an Existing Program

    A program is any offering of a coherent set of for-credit coursework that leads to a distinct academic award. A program can be a major or credit-bearing certificate.

    Terminating an existing program occurs when a program ceases enrollment (not the point at which all enrolled students have graduated). This action requires notification to Vanderbilt's institutional accreditor. Programs cannot announce intentions to cease enrollment until this notification occurs.

  • The Proposal Concept is required for:
    • new program proposals 
    • Ceasing enrollment in programs (closures, inactivations), and
    • proposing substantives changes to programs
  • The PCCAP process can take place contemporaneously with school’s or college’s curriculum committee(s) processes.
  • Closing or proposing new minors and other specialties earned while enrolled in a program (sub-specialties) follow an expedited process described below.

Please use this PCCAP Proposal Concept (Guide) to become familiar with the contents of the official form (which is housed in Kuali). Please note that the Guides posted here are not used to submit a request; rather, they serve an informational purpose to inform a submitter of the material that will be needed to complete a formal submission.

The PCCAP Approvals Process

There are differing levels of approval required, depending on the proposal type; they are described in the PCCAP process document linked at the top of this page. For a diagram of PCCAP approvals, please see this resource.

Note: The PCCAP process is not required for course-level changes (e.g., changing course descriptions, modifications to course content), or certain curriculum changes (e.g. changing the list of courses required in a program core, or updating program elective course options). To submit these types of change, please contact your college’s or school’s curriculum coordinator. Please contact OAPRAA if you are uncertain if a curriculum change will require PCCAP review.

PCCAP for Sub-Specialties

Vanderbilt defines a sub-specialty as a coherent set of for-credit coursework that may be completed along with a degree or major. These include minors, micro-credentials, concentrations, areas of focus, emphases, specializations, tracks, etc. Proposals to introduce a new sub-specialty or cease enrollment in an existing sub-specialty are captured in the PCCAP sub-specialties form, which has an expedited review and approval workflow as compared to that which is used to process activity related to credit-bearing programs (presented above).

To begin the process, please reach out to OAPRAA to schedule a brief consultation and to obtain access to the PCCAP sub-specialties form.

(note: this PCCAP form is in development and will be available soon — please connect with OAPRAA to discuss immediate needs).

Non-Credit Offerings (NCO)

A non-credit offering at Vanderbilt is defined as any certification, microcredential, MOOC or course that does not lead to a credit-bearing transcript and does not leverage any of Vanderbilt’s credit-bearing courses, programs, or sub-specialties. These non-credit offerings are designed to be flexible and responsive to the training needs of employers and emerging in-demand skills within the workforce.

The PCCAP process for non-credit offerings is expedited. If you are confident that your submission meets the non-credit offering criteria, please complete the non-credit offerings form.

If you have any questions about eligibility, please reach out to OAPRAA to schedule a brief consultation before proceeding.