As part of the university-wide review processes, new course-based master’s degree proposals, requests to delegate new or existing programs, changes to existing delegated programs, and 4+1 or other accelerated proposals all require approval by the Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee and often additional approval from NYSED. This is step three in the University Review Process for Course-based Degrees, detailed on the Graduate Program registration page. Similar to research degrees, proposals undergo a rigorous review examining the quality of the program, strategic context, competitiveness, attraction to students, and administrative oversight.

The Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee was formed in January 2024 following guidance from the Provost’s Council to establish a new committee and process for reviewing course-based, college-level master’s degrees and delegated degrees. The committee is composed of faculty from each college who are familiar with the academic offerings in the school or college they represent and includes Graduate School deans.

Committee Process Overview and Deadlines

Proposals regarding degree programs for consideration by the Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee are due by the 10th of each month. Within three business days, the Graduate School will determine on which month’s agenda the proposal can tentatively be reviewed by the Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee and will communicate that to the proposer.

During this time, proposers are strongly encouraged to share their proposal drafts with the Graduate School (gradproposals@cornell.edu) for review by leadership, and they will communicate any needed revisions prior to the Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee meeting. Incomplete or poorly developed proposals may be returned to the proposer for further development. If you have any questions, or have a unique situation, we strongly encourage you to schedule a preliminary meeting with Graduate School leadership for early review so we can assess any administrative impacts. Please contact us to schedule a meeting at: gradproposals@cornell.edu.

Once proposals and all support materials are received in their final form, the proposal will be placed on the next available Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee agenda. Placement on the agenda is dependent upon a number of factors, including complexity of the proposal, the time needed for discussion, the number of other items already on the agenda, and the completeness and quality of the proposal.

Proposal writers attend the Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee meeting to provide an overview of the proposal and answer questions the committee may have. The Course-based Graduate Degree Review Committee meets as needed during the academic year.

Proposal Submission Requirements

For all proposals, please follow the instructions in the relevant form to complete your submission (see below), following page limits. Please include:

1. A cover page with a one-page table of contents.
2. The completed form (below) and any required attachments.
3. A completed Graduate Degree Program SUNY or NYSED Form, if applicable (available from Kristin Walker (walker@cornell.edu) in Institutional Research and Planning).
4. Please submit as one PDF document to gradproposals@cornell.edu.

Forms

Please download the appropriate form for the change you are proposing:

1. New Course-based Degree Program (PDF)
2. Changes to Course-based Degree Program (PDF)
3. Adding or Revising Program Concentrations (PDF)
4. Course-based Program Delegation to a College (PDF)
5. Accelerated Degree (4+1 or other) Proposal (PDF form coming soon)