Program Proposals

Guidance for proposing new programs and revising existing programs at San José State University.

Type of Proposal Proposal: 

  • Program Revisions
    • : to make minor or major revisions to an existing program. 

Other Processes 

    • *Program /
    • *Graduate International Program Partnership
    • *Special Session - New Specialization for Existing Program 

Program Proposals FAQs

Q. Where can I find degree definitions? 

A. View the WSCUC Degree Definition Guide [pdf] for degree type definitions.

Q. How do I determine the CSU Major Code/CIP Code? 

A. Using , campuses report data to the Chancellor’s Office on applications, enrollments, and degrees granted. 

The program's official name does not have to be an exact duplicate of its Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code name.

Q. Is there a checklist to draft new academic roadmaps/degree pathways? 

A. Yes!  

Q. How are new Academic Plan Codes created? 

A. When new degrees, concentrations, minors, certificates are approved , they are entered into PeopleSoft with a new academic plan code. View  for more information.

Q. Where do I Review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program List? 

A. Find a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of stud:  https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf

Q. Where can I find the current CSU degrees? 

A. Search Degrees at CSU: https://www.calstate.edu/attend/degrees-certificates-credentials/Pages/search-degrees.aspx. 

Q. How do I find a community college that has an AA-T or AS-T for a program? 

A. Associate Degree for Transfer
Major & Campus Search:  

Q. What is the WSCUC 2023 Handbook of Accreditation? 

A. The  is a comprehensive guide establishing the foundational values, standards, and procedures for accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 

Q. State-Supported Programs (Regular CSU Programs) v.s. Self-Support Programs (Extended Education / Special Sessions / Professional Programs)?

A.  State-Supported Programs (Regular CSU Programs) are the traditional degree programs (undergraduate and graduate) funded through the CSU Operating Fund, which comes mainly from the state of California and general tuition revenues.These programs are the core missions of CSU campuses — standard bachelor’s, master’s, and some doctoral programs.

Self-Support Programs (Extended Education / Special Sessions / Professional Programs) are educational offerings funded entirely by the revenue they generate — no CSU state funds are used to operate them. They may be credit or non-credit programs, certificates, specialized degrees, or professional education tailored to workforce or adult learners.  These programs must cover all costs (instruction, administration, overhead, etc.) from tuition and fees collected. The campus does not subsidize them with state money.