The purpose of these guidelines is to assist campuses of the State University of New York (University) in the planning of graduate programs and to make explicit operative criteria in the system-level review of graduate program proposals.

I. Policy Principles

The following principles express the University’s policy as a system on the development and consideration of new graduate programs according to award level and campus type.

• Graduate degree programs shall be within the mission of the institution as approved by the Board of Trustees.
• Doctoral education shall be offered exclusively at the University centers and specialized doctoral campuses.
• Master’s and other non-doctoral graduate education shall be focused at the University centers and specialized doctoral campuses.
• Master’s and other non-doctoral graduate education may be offered at university colleges and certain specialized institutions when regional or statewide demand can be demonstrated and when the institution has a particular mission-related capability for meeting such demand.

Whenever feasible, inter-institutional collaboration is encouraged in the development of new graduate programs at all the University campuses.

II. Policy Guidelines

The following guidelines constitute criteria for campus development and system administration review of new graduate programs. They are meant to inform the evaluation of a program’s suitability according to the mission of the campus, the market(s) to be served, and objective standards of quality:

A. Mission

The program and award level is consistent with the Board of Trustees-approved mission of the institution as demonstrated by its master plan or other system-approved planning documents, such as the mission review memorandum of understanding.

• The institution has significant experience, sufficient planned resources, and documented expertise at the appropriate level in the relevant discipline area(s).
• The graduate degree program will have no negative effect on the institution’s undergraduate program and commitment.
• The effect of the graduate program on the University is positive.

B. Market

• The need for the program at the campus and in the University system is compelling, and the program would not unnecessarily duplicate resources.
• It can be documented that anticipated enrollment for the program justifies the campus’ planned allocation of resources.

C. Quality

The quality of the program is documented by:

• effective use of qualified external reviewers in the development of the program;
• meeting relevant professional and/or state accreditation standards and/or establishing a timetable for completing the accreditation process (or providing a convincing explanation for not seeking special accreditation);
• inclusion in a periodic campus graduate program review process that includes indicators of performance and success; and, for doctoral programs, the potential of the program to achieve national prominence and distinction.

Specialized Doctoral Campuses – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, SUNY College of Optometry, NYS College of Ceramics, NYS College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, NYS College of Veterinary Medicine, NYS School of Industrial & Labor Relations.

Specialized Institutions – Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY Maritime College, and SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome.

There is no related information relevant to this policy.

Graduate Academic Program Proposals, Procedures for Submission

There are no forms relevant to this policy.

The following links to FindLaw's New York State Laws are provided for users' convenience; it is not the official site for the State of New York laws. 

NYS Education Law §355 (Powers and duties of trustees – administrative and fiscal functions)

NYS Education Law §6303 (Programs and curricula of community colleges)

In case of questions, readers are advised to refer to the New York State Legislature site for the menu of New York State Consolidated.

There is no history relevant to this policy.

There are no appendices relevant to this policy.