Current Degree, Concentration, Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate
Simple modifications to existing programs are handled by the school curriculum committees (or the Academic Affairs Committee for interschool programs). Offering 50% or more of the major requirements through distance education (e.g., online) will require prior approval by WASC. Please contact the office of Academic Programs ASAP if you are interested in offering an online degree (>50%).
School curriculum committee websites:
Arts and Humanities
Business and Public Administration
Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
Social Sciences and Education
When changes affect programs outside the school, those programs should be consulted and any objections should be considered by the school curriculum committee. Any irreconcilable differences may be sent by the Provost to the Academic Senate for final resolution. Changes that have broad inter-school implications require Senate approval.
Proposals involving new coursework or changes to existing courses should be accompanied by a Course Approval Form which, after approval, is submitted to the Director of Academic Operations.
Visit the Academic Operations and Support website for Catalog and Curriculum Resources and Forms.
CSU Guidance on Modifying an Existing Program
Guidance and resources for making changes to existing programs can be found at CSU Modify an Existing Program
Modifications to Existing Programs
Adding Concentrations and Emphases
The CSU Policy on Subprograms states that subprograms (typically referred to as an option, concentration, or emphasis) shall have a required core that shares more than half of its units with the parent degree program (see CSU Policy 1071). The CSU does not make systemwide distinctions between options, concentrations, and emphases, as distinctions may vary by campus.
Per RES 232403, the only degree subprograms recognized at CSUB are concentrations and emphases. A concentration is a subprogram within a major that includes at least 12 distinct units of study (not shared across all subprograms offered in the major). An emphasis is a subprogram within a major that includes 7-11 distinct units of study (not shared across all subprograms offered in the major).
To propose a new concentration or emphasis to a degree program, refer to CSU document "Adding Subprograms (Options, Concentrations, Special Emphases)" and complete a Changes to Degree Form. Select the appropriate "Proposal Action" at the top of the form. Requests shall follow the curricular review process. Please note that concentrations and emphases require CO approval.
Adding Minors
Per CSU Policy 1071, minors are not defined at the system level. Campuses may set local policy regarding minors.
CSUB allows four different types of minors: a traditional minor from a single discipline, a thematic minor, an interdisciplinary minor, and a special minor. Regardless of type, minors require a minimum of 12 semester units, at least 6 of which must be upper division units. The 12 units (normally four 3-unit courses) used in a minor cannot be drawn from those used to satisfy the major requirements. However, in the case of majors requiring extensive lower division cognates (e.g., Business Administration), students may count one of the cognate courses as one of the four required in the minor.
To propose a new minor, complete a Changes to Degree Form. Select the appropriate "Proposal Action" at the top of the form. Requests shall follow the curricular review process. Please note that concentrations and emphases do not require CO approval.
Academic Program Moratorium and Discontinuance
Degree program discontinuance is a permanent decision in which the campus determines that it no longer wishes to offer the degree and, after a teach-out period, is no longer authorized to offer the degree. A moratorium is a temporary program suspension. The CSUB policy and procedures for moratorium and discontinuance were established by the campus. In the spirit of open communication, the ASi President and Executive Director will be notified early in the discontinuance process.
Programmatic waivers may only be granted by the Chancellor after Campus approval.
Substitutions and waivers for individuals are also available. Substitution requests can be made directly to the relevant department chair or dean's office.