New Academic Program Approval and Policies
Overview
The Council is the approving body for academic programs at Kentucky's public institutions. To view documentation associated with the Council's program approvals, go to the Council's meeting records archive.
Guiding Legislation
Process
Details of the policy and process can be found in the documents linked below.
University Requests for Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and UK and UofL Doctoral Programs
Universities request student and market demand information from Council staff and then submit a Notification of Intent (NOI). Council staff review the NOI and conduct an unnecessary duplication analysis. Upon Council staff approval of the NOI, a two-month program development period begins when institutions may comment on the NOI and discuss possible collaborations. After the program development period ends, the institution may and seek institutional approval from its governing board and submit the program proposal.
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTC)
The KCTCS System Office requests student and market demand information from Council staff. A KCTCS college will submit a request that focuses on mission fit, collaboration across colleges, workforce alignment and projected enrollment. The KCTCS System Office will also submit information for Council staff review, which emphasizes alignment with statewide strategic goals, statutory compliance and academic quality. Because the KCTCS college missions are to meet local needs and because their students are typically place-bound, associate degree program are not subject to the unnecessary duplication review.
Comprehensive University Request for Doctoral Program
Comprehensive universities request student and market demand information from Council staff and then submit a Notification of Intent (NOI) and documentation demonstrating its capacity to offer a doctoral program. Upon Council staff approval of the NOI, the two-month program development period will begin and institutions may comment on the NOI. At this time the comprehensive university will identify an external evaluator to conduct a feasibility study. After the program development period ends, the institution may submit the program proposal and the feasibility study and seek institutional approval from its governing board. (Please see the full policy for the additional steps required if the comprehensive university is seeking General Fund appropriations for its doctoral program proposal.)
Please note that:
- An institution shall not submit a Notification of Intent (NOI) or a new academic program proposal if it has any outstanding reports due to the Council, including but not limited to statewide program review summaries, general education assessment reports, and any reports related to grant funding provided by the Council.
- Additional eligibility requirements for doctorates at comprehensive universities are listed below.
- Institutions recommend the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code of a proposed program after careful consideration. CPE will review the recommendation and finalize the CIP code with the proposing institution.
- After a program is approved by the Council, an institution has up to three years to implement the program. If the program has not been implemented within this timeframe, it must undergo the new program approval process.
Policies
Resources
- Step-by-Step Quick Reference Guide for Institutions
- Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)
- CPE STEM+H CIP Code List
- Guidance for Quality and Assessment of Student Learning
To view a catalog of all of Kentucky's academic programs, view the Academic Program Inventory.
Last Updated: 10/14/2025