The document proposes revisions to the program approval process for public higher education institutions in Massachusetts. Key changes include: 1. Requiring institutions to indicate how new program proposals align with their strategic plan in their letter of intent. 2. Circulating letters of intent to the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs and the Statewide Policy Committee for comment. 3. Having the Board of Higher Education review proposals to ensure alignment with system goals and consideration of factors like regional economic needs and affordable costs. 4. Establishing a timeline for implementing the new process starting in March 2017.

1. Revised Program
Approval for
Public Institutions
and Timeline
Board of Higher Education — March 21, 2017

2. 5
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Alignment with System Goals
System Goals
Institutional Goals/Campus
Strategic Plan
Academic Programs
Student
Learning
Workforce
Alignment

3. 6
Existing Process
1. LOI from IHE Presidents
to Commissioner
2. Circulate LOI and
comment period
3. Campus Prepares
Proposal
4. Campus Board Approval
5. Draft Proposal Submitted
to DHE
6. External Review and
Campus Response
7. Staff Review of
Completed Proposal
8. Revise or Recommend
to AAC
9. AAC and BHE Action
Recommended Process
1. LOI from IHE Presidents to
Commissioner
• NEW: Must indicate link to the Strategic Plan.
2. Circulate LOI and comment period
• NEW: DHE forwards not only to all public
campuses, but also to AAC and SPC .
3. AAC and BHE Action
4. If approved:
• Campus Prepares Proposal
• Campus Board Approval
• Draft Proposal Submitted to DHE
• External Review and Response
• Staff Review of Completed Proposal
• Revise or Recommend to Commissioner
5. Commissioner Action
Proposed Changes to Process
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions

4. 7
 BHE review to ensure alignment between
campus strategic plan and academic program
 Areas of review include:
 Alignment with system goals
 Consideration of regional economic and workforce
development priorities
 Affordability and cost-effectiveness
 Integration with P-12
 Areas of strategic disinvestment
 Enrollment estimates and projections
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Alignment with Strategic Planning

5. 8
 New areas of review based on AAC feedback:
 Incorporation of modalities that support
student completion
 Innovation and use of modern pedagogies
for traditionally underserved students
 Consideration of how the program corresponds to the
operational and financial objectives of the institution
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Alignment with Strategic Planning, cont.

6. 9
 DHE staff will review:
 Detailed description of curriculum
 Faculty
 Resources: equipment and facilities
 External review
 Student learning outcomes
 Program assessment methods
 Measures or benchmarks of program goals
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Academic Quality and Consumer Protection

7. 10
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Roles and Responsibilities
BHE Role
• Enrollment:
Regional Need /
Demand
• Resources
• Capacity
DHE Role
• Academic Quality
and Integrity
• Consumer
Protection
System
Goals

8. 11
March 21
AAC/BHE
Consent
to Move
Forward
Week of
March 27
Begin
Comment
Period
May
Compile
Feedback
June
Present to
AAC/BHE
for Action
Program Approval Process for Public Institutions
Proposed Timelines
April 15
Deadline for
Campuses to
Submit New
Programs Under
Current Process
Summer
2017
Implemen
t New
Process
Sept. 15
Campuses
Begin
Submitting
LOIs Under
New
Process
Implementation
Policy Development