Academic Program and Organizational Oversight
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is the commonwealth’s coordinating body for higher education. At VCU, SCHEV Liaisons partner with faculty to navigate the approval process for new programs or organizational updates.
To begin a proposal or ask questions, please submit a ticket via the Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk.
| SCHEV Approval Needed | No SCHEV Approval Needed |
|---|---|
| Opening or closing a degree/certificate program | Adding or modifying minors, concentrations, or tracks |
| Changing a program name, degree designation, or CIP code | Changing total degree credits by 3* or fewer |
| Changing total degree credits by more than 3* | Internal curriculum tweaks within a major |
| Adding a new or removing a program's delivery format (e.g., moving online) | |
| Opening, closing, reorganizing, or renaming a department/college |
* 3 aggregate credits since the most recent SCHEV approval
Accreditation
Some changes may also require approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). To determine if your proposal requires SACSCOC notification, complete the Substantive Change Checklist. Your SCHEV liaison will coordinate with the university’s SACSCOC liaison to assist you in coordinating any necessary SACSCOC materials alongside your SCHEV proposal.
Academic Program and Organizational Development Processes
Developing a new degree program typically takes 18–24 months. To be eligible for SCHEV consideration, your proposed program must be included in the university's most recent Six-Year Plan.
Because timelines are influenced by desired launch date and current administrative capacity, units are encouraged to contact the Academic Affairs Team at the start of the development process. A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support. Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk – Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance. Academic Affairs Handbook – Comprehensive policy and procedure details.
- Planning. Questions to Consider – A guide to help refine your program’s scope and goals.
- Data: Lightcast Report Request – Request labor market and student demand data.
Units are encouraged to contact the Academic Affairs Team at the start of the development process.
SCHEV Submission Windows
- March
- July
- October
A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support: Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk- Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance: Academic Affairs Handbook- Comprehensive policy & procedure details.
- Data: Lightcast Report Request – Request labor market and student demand data.
For changes to an existing degree or certificate—such as updating a CIP code, degree designation, or program name—please contact the Academic Affairs Team early in your planning.
Submission Windows
Technical change proposals are submitted to SCHEV during two annual windows:
- March
- July
A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
Understanding CIP Code Changes
A Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code change is intended to reflect evolving standards in a field or to better align with a program’s original intent.
Important: CIP code changes are administrative. They cannot be used to bypass the approval process for changes to program requirements, content, or curriculum emphasis. Once approved, the new CIP code completely replaces the previous one. CIP code changes can affect International Student (STEM OPT) eligibility and Financial Aid.
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support. Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk – Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance. Academic Affairs Handbook – Comprehensive policy and procedure details.
- Data: Lightcast Report Request – Request labor market and student demand data.
For changes to an existing degree or certificate—such as total credit hours or changes to delivery methods—please contact the Academic Affairs Team early in your planning.
Submission Windows
Technical change proposals are submitted to SCHEV during two annual windows:
- March
- July
A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
When is SCHEV Approval Required?
A formal proposal is necessary if your modification includes:
- Fundamental Changes. Altering the curriculum, purpose, focus, or identity of the program.
- Delivery Format. Adding or removing a method of delivery (e.g., moving to 100% online).
- Licensure. Changing the licensure-qualifying status of the program.
- Common Core. Altering requirements that impact SCHEV’s "common core" standards.
- Significant Credit Changes. See the "Credit Hour Rule" below.
The Credit Hour Rule
SCHEV Tracks the total history of changes to a program’s credit hours.
|
Total Aggregate Change |
Action Required |
|
Less than 3 credits |
No SCHEV approval needed. |
|
3 to 12 credits |
SCHEV approval required via the modification process. |
|
More than 12 credits |
May require a New Degree Program proposal. |
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support. Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk – Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance. Academic Affairs Handbook – Comprehensive policy and procedure details.
- Data: Lightcast Report Request – Request labor market and student demand data.
All discontinuances of degree programs (including teach-out plans) must have approval from SCHEV before the closure, or before the university ceases student enrollment. Additionally, degree program closures require approval from the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors. Certificate closures do not require Board of Visitors approval.
Submission Windows
- March
- July
A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support. Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk – Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance. Academic Affairs Handbook – Comprehensive policy and procedure details.
Organizational changes occurring at or above the department level require Board of Visitors approval and must be approved by SCHEV.
Possible modifications requiring SCHEV approval may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Adding an academic unit.
- Removing an academic unit.
- Renaming an academic unit.
- Reorganizing an academic unit/units.
Submission Windows
- March
- July
Please note: Simple organizational changes must be submitted to SCHEV at least 90 days prior to the proposed implementation date. Complex organizational changes must be submitted to SCHEV at least 120 days prior to the SCHEV Council meeting date at which the proposed change will be discussed. A SCHEV Liaison will help you determine the most strategic submission window.
Resources & Templates
Please refer to the materials below and in the Resources tab to develop your proposal.
- Support. Academic Strategy and Innovation Help Desk – Submit questions or start the process.
- Guidance. Academic Affairs Handbook – Comprehensive policy and procedure details.