Indiana public colleges and universities must obtain approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to offer a new academic program. The checklist of criteria as well as approval policies and procedures are addressed in the below Academic Affairs & Quality (AA&Q) Committee’s ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ document (approved by the Committee June 30, 2025 for final Commission consideration at the July 24, 2025 Commission meeting).
- Academic Degree Program Submission Document:
- AA&Q Mission and Responsibilities (PDF)
- Academic Degree Program Application Packet (WORD and PDF)
- Certain Credit-Bearing Certificate Programs Application Packet (WORD and PDF)
NOTE: Certificates of 13 or more credit hours must use this application packet. State institutions may add certificates of 12 credit hours or fewer through Routine Staff Action by submitting the 'Academic Program Inventory Change Request Form' available here.
- Appendix 8 (must be included with all proposed baccalaureate degrees):
(Updated July 31, 2025)
Other Reference Documents:
Degree Award Level Definitions
House Enrolled Act 1001-2025
After July 1, 2025, state educational institutions must seek approval from the Commission to continue an under-threshold degree program. These are degree programs in which the rolling three-year average of graduates was under the corresponding statutory threshold for that degree type, e.g., 15 graduates for a bachelor’s degree and 10 graduates for an associate degree.
Approval to Continue Under-Threshold Degree Programs: Initial Guidance and FAQs
Updated June 13, 2025
MEMO - Preliminary Analysis of Under-Threshold Degree Programs, FY22, FY23, FY24 and Collaboratively Developing a 'Mutual Consensus List' (07/25/25)
Uploaded July 31, 2025
MEMO – Requesting Approval to Continue Under-Threshold Degree Programs (10/6/25)
Uploaded October 8, 2025