Note: This section is for UC Berkeley faculty and staff.

All graduate degree, certificate, or designated emphasis proposals begin with a preliminary review by the Graduate Division in preparation for the first step in the graduate program approval process: the Graduate Council. Contact Graduate Division’s Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Linda Song at [email protected].

Update for new degree proposals

Due to increasing interest in developing new degree programs, the Graduate Division is implementing the following procedure to help us review proposals in a fair and transparent manner.

  1. When departments are certain that they are ready to proceed with proposal development and review, they are asked to complete this Intent to Propose a New Degree Survey. We are currently receiving multiple requests, and we need to prioritize them. It is therefore of paramount importance that proposers fill out this survey carefully.
  2. For SSGPDP proposals only: Assistant Dean Linda Song will then follow up with proposers to assess readiness to prepare a 1-2 page summary for your Dean to present to the Council of Deans (COD). Graduate Division will work with proposers on their summary to COD.
  3. Graduate Division will then make every attempt to conduct timely and comprehensive reviews of proposals before they are forwarded to the Graduate Council for consideration. This is a labor-intensive process that typically takes several rounds, and a timely and successful review is strongly dependent on proposers. The omission of required information or careless presentation could result in delayed review of a proposal. Given the increased workload of Graduate Division and Graduate Council at this time, proposers should be both diligent and patient, and have a back-up timeline in place for launching the program.

Please contact Assistant Dean Song ([email protected]) if you have any questions, including questions about degree proposal requirements and/or the process. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Proposal guidelines and information

What is the review process and how long does it take?

Who can answer my questions?

Preparing the proposal:

  • Program proposals: Linda Song, Graduate Division Assistant Dean, 510-643-7412, [email protected]
  • Self-supporting program budget proposal: Aaron Smyth, Campus Finance Lead for Student Fees, 643-9595, [email protected]
  • Self-supporting market assessment of program demand: Chris Stawski, Analyst, 510-663-1462, [email protected].
  • Self-supporting financial aid: Krystina Lui, Financial Aid Counselor, [email protected]

Where is the proposal in the approval process?

  • Academic Senate Review progress: Sumei Quiggle, Academic Senate Associate Director, 510643-5460, [email protected]
  • Systemwide Review progress: Kira Blaisdell-Sloan, Office of Planning and Analysis Institutional Research Analyst, 510-642-1300, [email protected]
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) review: Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, [email protected]