Academic Program Proposals
From Degree-Granting Institutions Authorized to
Operate in the State of Maryland
NEW PROGRAM GUIDELINES
An institution submits a proposal using guidelines in accordance
with State regulations.
See COMAR Title 13B.02.03
for the full set of regulations. Proposals for new programs
should be submitted electronically to
New Academic Programs, Degrees and Stand-Alone Certificate Programs
A complete proposal shall include a cover letter from the chief
academic officer addressed to the Secretary of Higher Education
requesting approval of the new program, a
Proposal Cover Sheet(pdf) with all
required signatures, and should address all of the
Centrality to institutional mission statement and planning
B. Adequacy of curriculum design and delivery to related
learning outcomes consistent with Regulation .10 of this
Provide a description of the program, including each
area of concentration (if applicable), and how it relates to the
institution’s approved mission.
Explain how the proposed program supports the
institution’s strategic goals and provide evidence that affirms
it is an institutional priority.
C. Critical and compelling regional or Statewide need as
identified in the State Plan:
Provide a list of courses with title, semester credit
hours and course descriptions, along with a description of
Describe the educational objectives and intended
student learning outcomes.
Discuss how general education requirements will be met,
Identify any specialized accreditation or graduate
certification requirements for this program and its students.
If contracting with another institution or
non-collegiate organization, provide a copy of the written
Demonstrate demand and need for the program in terms of
meeting present and future needs of the region and the State in
general based on one or more of the following:
Provide evidence that the perceived need is consistent
with the Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education (pdf).
D. Quantifiable & reliable evidence and documentation of
market supply & demand in the region and State:
- The need for the advancement and evolution of knowledge;
- Societal needs, including expanding educational
opportunities and choices for minority and educationally
disadvantaged students at institutions of higher education;
- The need to strengthen and expand the capacity of
historically black institutions to provide high quality and
unique educational programs.
E. Reasonableness of program duplication:
- Present data and analysis projecting market demand and
the availability of openings in a job market to be served by the
Discuss and provide evidence of market surveys that
clearly provide quantifiable and reliable data on the
educational and training needs and the anticipated number of
vacancies expected over the next 5 years.
Data showing the current and projected supply of
F. Relevance to Historically Black Institutions (HBIs)
Identify similar programs in the State and/or same
geographical area. Discuss similarities and differences between
the proposed program and others in the same degree to be
Provide justification for the proposed program.
Discuss the program’s potential impact on the
implementation or maintenance of high-demand programs at HBI’s.
Discuss the program’s potential impact on the
uniqueness and institutional identities and missions of HBIs.
G. If proposing a distance education program, please provide
evidence of the
Principles of Good Practice (as outlined in COMAR 13B.02.03.22C).
H. Adequacy of faculty resources (as outlined in COMAR
Provide a brief narrative demonstrating
the quality of program faculty . Include a summary list of
faculty with appointment type, terminal degree title and field,
academic title/rank, status (full-time, part-time, adjunct) and
the course(s) each faulty member will teach.
I. Adequacy of library resources (as outlined in COMAR
Describe the library resources
available and/or the measures to be taken to ensure resources
are adequate to support the proposed program. If the program is
to be implemented within existing institutional resources,
include a supportive statement by the President for library
resources to meet the program’s needs.
J. Adequacy of physical facilities, infrastructure and
instructional equipment (as outlined in COMAR 13B.02.03.13)
Provide an assurance that physical
facilities, infrastructure and instruction equipment are
adequate to initiate the program, particularly as related to
spaces for classrooms, staff and faculty offices, and
laboratories for studies in the technologies and sciences. If
the program is to be implemented within existing institutional
resources, include a supportive statement by the President for
adequate equipment and facilities to meet the program’s needs.
K. Adequacy of financial resources with documentation (as
outlined in COMAR 13B.02.03.14)
Table 1: Resources
Table 2: Expenditure(pdf).
Finance data(pdf) for the first five years of program
implementation are to be entered. Figures should be presented
for five years and then totaled by category for each year.
Provide a narrative rational for each of the resource
category. If resources have been or will be reallocated to
support the proposed program, briefly discuss the sources of
L. Adequacy of provisions for evaluation of program (as
outlined in COMAR 13B.02.03.15).
Discuss procedures for evaluating courses, faculty and student
M. Consistency with the State’s minority student achievement
goals (as outlined in COMAR 13B.02.03.05 and in the State Plan
for Postsecondary Education).
Discuss how the proposed program addresses minority student
access & success, and the institution’s cultural diversity goals
N. Relationship to low productivity programs identified by
If the proposed program is directly related to an identified low
productivity program, discuss how the fiscal resources
(including faculty, administration, library resources and
general operating expenses) may be redistributed to this