Concentrations, minors, and tracks (C/M/Ts) are transcripted collections of coursework through which students gain specialized knowledge in a particular field or discipline. The minimum and maximum number of credits vary depending on the structure and coursework of the C/M/T and should be in balance with and complement the total credits and related requirements of the ‘parent’ degree program.

Programs are encouraged to consult with their school’s academic compliance contact and with the IRA contact listed below as early as possible for guidance and support on the necessary documentation and approvals required to add or modify a C/M/T to an existing degree program.

The following form to initiate a request to create, change or close a C/M/T includes detailed instructions for each field. Please note: You will not be able to ‘save’ and ‘return’ to the form at a later date, so we recommend that you preview and prepare the required information in advance:

Initiation Form for Concentrations, Minors and Tracks

Approval Deadlines for Creating, Changing, or Closing a Concentration, Minor or Track (C/M/Ts)

C/M/Ts may be initiated, modified, and closed in the fall or spring. For a C/M/T action to take effect the following fall, all approvals must be secured by July 1. For spring, the deadline is December 1.

Approval Deadlines

	Effective Term - Fall	Effective Term - Spring
Approval Deadline	July 1	December 1

Review & Approval Process for Concentrations, Minors and Tracks (C/M/Ts)

The following step are required for approval of a concentration, minor or track (C/M/T):

School Curriculum Committee & Dean: Programs should consult with their school’s designated academic compliance contact for guidance and support on necessary documentation and procedures. If the proposed C/M/T may impact faculty, students, courses and/or academic programs in other UVA school(s), the sponsoring dean should consult with the corresponding dean(s).

IRA staff review the request, assist the sponsoring program in preparing all necessary documentation, and obtain initial Provost approval from the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA).

Upon initial VPAA approval, IRA staff initiate Impact Review (IR), in which a committee of stakeholders (e.g. appointed school representatives, Financial Services, Library, University Registrar) are invited to review the proposal and offer comments/questions regarding possible impacts on their units. To expedite required approvals, sponsoring programs and schools are encouraged to proactively consult with other schools and/or units that may be impacted, so any issues/concerns may be surfaced and addressed ahead of formal IR process.

Faculty Senate: For concentrations, minors and tracks, faculty senate approval entails two levels of review:

Academic Affairs Committee (AAC): The AAC typically meets every 2 weeks over the fall and spring terms. The AAC docket can fill up quickly, so programs are encouraged to secure the necessary school approvals in the semester preceding their target senate term, to allow adequate time for review.

Faculty Senate: The Senate typically meets monthly over the Fall and Spring terms. Upon AAC approval, the AAC Chair notifies the full Faculty Senate, and Senate members have one week to request a discussion and vote at the next Senate meeting. If no such request is received, the proposal is considered approved and the full Senate is notified of the approval at its next meeting.

Notice of Formal Approval: Upon Faculty Senate approval, the AAC Chair will notify the program representatives, VPAA and IRA staff. IRA staff will then circulate notice of formal approval and effective start term to the school dean and relevant institutional stakeholders, including the University Registrar.