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. 

Policy

The Academic Program Approval Policy outlines the policies for program approval for various degree levels at both KCTCS and universities. 

• Academic Program Approval Policy (effective September 2025)
  • Unnecessary Duplication Standards
  • Initial Program Review Report
  • Initial Program Review Performance Improvement Plan

Working Documents and Submission Forms

Required submission files for the official CPE program portal are listed below. Files labeled “Working Document” are for institutional preparation only and should not be submitted to CPE.

Note: A curriculum map is required when proposing a new undergraduate program. Institutions must submit their institutional curriculum map (not a CPE-provided template).

Approval Process	Files
KCTCS: Certificates and Diplomas	New Certificate or Diploma Form (Working Document)
KCTCS: Associate’s Degrees	KCTCS Council Staff Review Form (Working Document)
	KCTCS System Office Review Form (Working Document)
	KCTCS Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
Universities: Certificates and Diplomas	New Certificate or Diploma Form (Working Document)
Universities: Associate’s Degrees	Notification of Intent Form (Working Document)
	Undergraduate Program Proposal Form (Working Document)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
	University Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)
Universities: Bachelor’s Degrees	Notification of Intent Form (Working Document)
	University Undergraduate Program Proposal Form (Working Document)
	Occupational Data Form (Submission Requirement)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
	University Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)
Universities: Master’s Degrees	Notification of Intent Form (Working Document)
	University Master’s Program Proposal Form (Working Document)
	Occupational Data Form (Submission Requirement)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
	University Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)
Universities: Doctoral Degrees (UK and UofL only)	Notification of Intent Form (Working Document)
	UK and UofL Doctoral Program Proposal Form (Working Document)
	Occupational Data Form (Submission Requirement)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
	University Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)
Universities: Doctoral Degrees (Comprehensive Universities)	Notification of Intent Form (Working Document)
	Capacity to Offer Doctoral Program Self-Study (Working Document)
	Comprehensive University Doctoral Program Proposal Form (Working Document)
	Occupational Data Form (Submission Requirement)
	Comprehensive University External Review Feasibility Study Form (Submission Requirement)
	Budget Template (Submission Requirement)
	University Semester-by-Semester Program Guide (Submission Requirement)

Resources

• Step-by-Step Quick Reference Guide for Institutions
• National Center for Educational Statistics: The Classification of Instructional Programs
• CPE STEM+H Designated Degree Program List
• Kentucky Graduate Profile: The State's Undergraduate Learning Framework
• Guidelines for New Extended Campus Programs
• Academic Program Inventory

Guiding Legislation

• Powers and duties of the Council - KRS 164.020 § 15-16, 19