Major Modifications

Major modifications are academic changes that significantly alter the learning outcomes of a degree program. Some changes may lie on the border of a minor modification and a major modification. 

There are three types of major modifications:

• significant modifications to an existing graduate program
• proposing a new field within an existing graduate program
• creating a new combined degree program from existing degree programs

Governance Process

Major modifications follow a three-step governance process. 

Steps

1. Obtain Approval from your Graduate Unit
   • The first step in the governance process is to obtain the approval from the graduate unit. When submitting the proposal to your graduate unit, be sure to include the completed template and supporting documentation (e.g., course syllabus). Typically, the committee responsible for graduate education in your unit is responsible for granting graduate unit approval. Please contact your Graduate Coordinator for information about meeting dates and departmental protocol.
2. Obtain Approval from the RHSE Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC). 
   • Please submit the proposal package to the Graduate Affairs Officer at RHSE at least 2 weeks before the next scheduled meeting. Please review the RHSE GCC meeting dates. At the next scheduled meeting, a faculty member from the graduate unit (e.g., Graduate Coordinator) presents the proposal to the GCC. 
3. Obtain Approval from The Temerty Faculty of Medicine Faculty Council  
   • The proposal can be presented by the same faculty member who presented to the GCC, or a designate. Please review the Faculty Council's meeting dates.

Templates and Instructions for Major Modifications

To access the required templates and instructions for major modifications, please visit the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs.