Academic Sub-Plan Policy
The desire for more consistent practices related to reporting, transcription, and tracking students’ areas of study all have created the need for better identification of student academic programs and campus-wide definitions and naming conventions. Using consistent definitions will enable the campus to clearly and transparently articulate differences within academic programs to students. Beginning Fall 2017, the following terms are being implemented as sub-plans to provide academic departments/colleges the option to transcribe and track academic programs. This process will enable students to declare their academic plans (majors) and sub-plans (options, emphases, endorsements, specializations, or participation in an established accelerated program) through the application for admission or in MyRED.
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Option: A choice of two or more sets of course requirements within an undergraduate major that define a specialty area or specific field of study, which will be transcribed. The course requirements are the same or similar, but the curriculum allows for different course requirements to meet expected outcomes that constitute an option. The option must account for approximately 50% and no less than 18 credit hours of the major requirements. Colleges with a common set of core requirements for all majors may request a 12-hour minimum. Options require operational review by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.
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Emphasis: A choice of course requirements within an undergraduate major that define a specialty area or specific field of study, which will not be transcribed. The course requirements are the same or similar, but the curriculum allows for different course requirements to meet expected outcomes that constitute an emphasis. The emphasis must account for approximately 30% or no less than 12 credit hours of the major requirements. Colleges with a common set of core requirements for all majors may request a 9-hour minimum. Emphases do not need to be reviewed by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer; however, they should receive college curriculum approval and be routed to the Director of Undergraduate Education Programs.
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Endorsement: Course completions within the undergraduate or graduate major that lead to the recommendation of a Nebraska Department of Education certification (teaching or administrative certification or additional endorsements for prior certification), which will be transcribed. Teaching endorsements are those recognized by the Nebraska Department of Education. Endorsements are reviewed by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.
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Specialization: A subdivision of a graduate major in which strong graduate-level curriculum and faculty expertise is available, which will be transcribed. Specializations must account for a minimum of 9 credit hours of the major requirement. Specializations are not reviewed by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer; however, they are approved by the Graduate Council. Proposals should be routed to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
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Accelerated: Accelerated programs enable academically qualified students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a compressed period of time. A portion of the undergraduate degree requirements are completed via the successful completion of a defined set of graduate courses (800 level), usually representing the first year of study of the master’s program. Early admission into the graduate program is required. Proposals are reviewed and routed through college curriculum committees, Graduate Council and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer for approval. Accelerated Programs involving majors outside of the home department of the accelerated program require documentation of approvals by all participating departments and colleges. Accelerated Programs require an operational review by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.