Creation, Modification and Discontinuance of Academic and Vocational Degree and Certificate Programs
Email notifications to Christina.Carrillo@dhe.state.co.us, 303-974-2489. Please send the following information:
For Degrees
- Program name
- Degree level (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, and etc.)
- Type of award (i.e., B.A., M.S., and etc.)
- CIP code
- Date of approval by governing board
- Number of credit hours
- Offered as 100% distance/online only?
- Brief description of program
- For undergraduate degrees only: Fit with GT Pathways and 120 credit cap or justification why GT Pathways and 120 credit cap requirements should be waived
Exception and Waiver Requests
Colorado public institutions seeking exceptions to statewide degree requirements may submit requests using the forms below. Requests should be completed by the institution and submitted with all required supporting documentation for review by CDHE staff and, when applicable, CCHE.
What is an exception or waiver?
An exception or waiver allows an academic program to receive approval to operate under requirements that differ from statewide standards established in statute or CCHE policy. Approval is not automatic and must be supported by sufficient justification, such as accreditation, licensure, statutory requirements, workforce needs, or the unique nature of a degree program. Institutions are responsible for demonstrating that the proposed exception or waiver is in the best interest of students and does not create unnecessary barriers to degree completion or transfer.
Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways Waiver Request
Purpose:
This form is used to request a waiver from the GT Pathways curriculum requirements for a baccalaureate degree program. Institutions may use this form when seeking approval for programs that cannot reasonably accommodate the full GT Pathways curriculum due to the nature of the degree, accreditation or licensure requirements, workforce demands, or other factors. Certain technical Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs may qualify for an automatic GT Pathways waiver and are subject to reduced documentation requirements.
Before you begin, please be prepared to provide:
- Institutional and program information
- The program's total credit requirements
- A narrative justification for the waiver request (if applicable)
- A curriculum table showing major requirements, general education requirements, electives, and total credits
- Governing board approval information
- Any supporting documentation, such as accreditation, licensure, regulatory, or employer/advisory board materials
GT Pathways Waiver Request form
Bachelor's Degree Credit Hour Exception Request
Purpose:
This form is used to request CCHE authorization for a bachelor's degree program that exceeds the statewide standard of 120 credit hours. Institutions should use this form to document statutory, accreditation, licensure, certification, workforce, or other requirements that justify a higher credit-hour total.
Before you begin, please be prepared to provide:
- Institutional and program information
- The proposed total number of required credits
- The basis for the exception request
- A justification narrative describing the rationale for exceeding 120 credits
- Evidence supporting the request, including accreditation, licensure, workforce, or statutory requirements
- Peer program comparisons
- Information regarding student impacts, including cost and time-to-degree considerations
- A curriculum table and governing board approval information
- Supporting documentation as applicable
Bachelor's Degree Credit Hour Exception Request form
For Certificates
- Program name
- CIP code
- Certificate level. Choose one of the following IPEDS definitions:
- 01 - Level 1 (undergraduate, 29 credits or less)
- 02 - Level 2 (undergraduate, 30-59 credits)
- 03 - Level 3 (undergraduate, between 2-4 years)
- 04 - Postbaccalaureate (An award that requires completion of an organized program of study beyond the bachelor's. It is designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree, but does not meet the requirements of a master's degree. NOTE: Even though Teacher Preparation certificate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbacalaureate undergraduate programs, and students in these programs are undergraduate students.)
- 05 - Post-master's (An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctor's level.)
- Date of approval by governing board
- Number of credit hours
- Offered as 100% distance/online only?
- Brief description of certificate
Additional Information
- CCHE Policy I, V: Creation, Modification and Discontinuance of Academic and Vocational Programs at Public Institutions of Higher Education
- CCHE Policy I, P: Educator Preparation (Repealed August 7, 2023)
State–supported institutions of higher education are generally not required to obtain approval from the state to create, modify or discontinue academic or vocational programs offered by the institution, so long as the creation, modification or discontinuance of the program is consistent with the institution’s statutory role and mission, per §23-1-107(1), Colorado Revised Statute. Exceptions to this rule are listed in Commission Policy I, V. Institutions should follow their normal process to ensure compliance with any Title IV, federal Gainful Employment, or accreditation requirements.