On behalf of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council (NJPC), the Academic Issues Committee (AIC) reviews new academic degree program proposals based on the following standards defined in N.J.A.C. 9A:1-2.10 through 2.14:
- Sufficient academic quality
- Sufficient evidence of labor market demand for the program
- Duplication with comparable programs of study in New Jersey
- Whether the proposed new program will require significant additional State resources
Effective March 7, 2022, all new academic degree programs, including programs that existed previously as an option or concentration, require a full program proposal and must undergo a formal review by the AIC. For further information, consult the Academic Issues Committee Manual.
All New Jersey degree-granting institutions, except for those institutions that are explicitly identified as “exempt” owing to the date of their charters (prior to April 1, 1887), are required to submit new academic degree program proposals to the AIC for review. The exempt institutions include the following: Centenary University, Drew University, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton University, Saint Peter’s University, Seton Hall University and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Out-of-state institutions that seek licensure to offer academic programs in New Jersey follow a different process. Visit the licensure office webpage.
Initiating a New Academic Degree Program
Steps in the Process
New Academic Degree Program Proposal Components
For Program Announcements
The following forms are provided for all New Jersey institutions for preparation of the Program Announcement to be circulated to all New Jersey higher education institutions and the licensure office within the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education for a 30-day comment period.
Additional Form Required for Institutions Seeking to Exceed Their Programmatic Mission to Offer a New Program
In addition to the three forms required for institutions proposing new programs, the following form is also required for New Jersey institutions proposing new programs that exceed their programmatic mission, defined at N.J.A.C. 9A:1-1.2 as the level of academic degrees that an institution has been authorized to offer.
Additional Document Required for County Colleges Seeking to Initiate a Degree Program in Support of a 3+1 Partnership
In addition to the three forms required for institutions proposing new programs, county colleges seeking to initiate a degree program in support of a 3+1 partnership must also submit a letter of support from the intended baccalaureate partner.
