Academic Compliance Review and Approval Process Matrix

Updated Spring 2023

Note: This matrix is not intended to represent official SCHEV or SACSCOC policy.

The below matrix highlights approvals required to establish, change, or close a degree or certificate program or the structures that support their delivery. For greater detail on the required reviews and approvals associated with these actions, including definitions and applicable University policies, please access the appropriate approval guide by type of action. For actions not listed below, please review the action guide for Organizational Changes and All Other Actions.

Approvals Guides by Action Type

Academic Compliance Reviews & Approvals Process Matrix
Type of Action ¹	Internal School Approvals		Faculty Senate			Provost	President	Board of Visitors	SCHEV	SACSCOC⁶
New Programs & Initiatives	Faculty²	Dean³	ACC	Executive Council	Full Faculty Senate	Provost	President	Board of Visitors	SCHEV	SACSCOC⁶
New Degree Program	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES IF SC
New Dual Academic Award Program (external partner)	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	FYI ONLY	NO	YES
New Joint Degree Program (external partner)	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
New Combined Degree Pathway (internal)	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
New Certificate Program⁴	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES IF SC
New Interdisciplinary Major (A&S)	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
New Minor	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
New Concentration or Track⁵	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO⁵	NO
New Off-Campus Site	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES
New Academic Department	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO
New Center or Institute (non-degree)	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
New Transfer Articulation Agreement	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES	FYI ONLY	NO	YES IF SC
New Branch Campus of UVA	–	–	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES

Academic Compliance Reviews & Approvals Process Matrix
Type of Action ¹		Internal School Approvals		Faculty Senate			Provost	President	Board of Visitors	SCHEV	SACSCOC⁶
Changes & Closures		Faculty²	Dean³	ACC	Executive Council	Full Faculty Senate	Provost	President	Board of Visitors	SCHEV	SACSCOC⁶
Change CIP Code (Degree/Certificate)		NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO
Change Program Length (Degree/Certificate)		YES	YES	MAYBE	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	MAYBE	YES IF SC
Change Delivery Format (e.g. add/remove online)		YES	YES	MAYBE	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	MAYBE	YES IF SC
Change Program Name	Degree Program	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO
	Certificate Programs	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO
	Concentration, Minor or Track	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
Merge Existing Degree Programs		YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO
Change Dept. Name	Academic Department	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO
Change Dept. Name	Center or Institute	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	MAYBE	NO
Deliver Additional Program at Existing Off-Campus Site		NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES
Change Degree Program Licensure Option(s)		YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO
Closures	Degree Program	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
	Certificate Program	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES
	Concentration, Minor or Track	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
	Center or Institute	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	FYI ONLY	NO	NO	NO	NO
	Off-Campus Site	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES
	Academic Department	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES	NO

¹Depending on the nature of the action, additional approval from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and/or others may be required. Programs should consult with the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost for additional guidance.

²Faculty approval is subject to governance policies/procedures of sponsoring school and BOV Policy 006 – Faculty Role in University Governance. Examples include dept. faculty, curriculum committees, school-wide faculty bodies, etc.

³If a proposed action may involve/impact faculty, students, courses and/or academic programs in (an)other UVA school(s), the sponsoring dean should notify and consult with the corresponding dean(s).

⁴ Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and other post-master’s certificate programs are considered new degree programs.

⁵ New concentrations and tracks within licensure-qualifying degree programs require SCHEV approval.

⁶SC = substantive change, which is a “significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution,” and requires SACSCOC notification and/or approval.