Program Discontinuance Process

The discontinuance of an academic program means that the sequence of instruction in that academic area will no longer be offered in a form which will lead to a degree or a certificate. Please review the entire process: CSULB Academic Senate - Policy Statement 11-05 - Discontinuance of Academic Programs.

Process for Discontinuing Sub-options

While concentrations, tracks, specializations, emphases, fields will be internally coherent, they do not by themselves provide sufficient breadth of study to be identified as options. Normally, these aggregates constitute much less than 50% of the coursework required for the degree major, and no mention is made of them on a student transcript. Therefore, a curriculum certification, using a Program Change form, is all that is necessary to discontinue a sub-option.

Step 1 - does the program need to be suspended to new admissions? Contact Admissions if so.

Additional Information on Suspensions: From time to time, it may become necessary for new enrollment in an academic program to be temporarily suspended because of a lack of qualified faculty, lack of student interest, or because of a reduction in budget. Suspension of a program is proposed and approved in accordance with Policy Statement 11-05, Discontinuance of Academic Programs.

The suspension of an academic program means that students will not be admitted to the program for a specified time.

Temporary suspension of an academic program may be requested by the program faculty, the dean of the college housing the program, or the Office of the Provost. Regardless of the initiator of the request for suspension of an academic program, consultation shall take place among the faculty, dean, and the Office of the Provost prior to any decision on suspension. Final decisions on suspension of academic programs are the responsibility of the Office of the Provost.

Upon suspension approval, the department or college notifies the Academic Programs Office (catalog@csulb.edu) for notation in the University catalog.

Suspension of an academic program will be for a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of three academic years. Decisions to suspend an academic program should be finalized at least 30 days before the beginning of the next admission cycle (September 1 for fall admission and July 1 for spring admission.) To address admission issues regarding the suspended program, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services should be notified by the college once the suspension has completed the above-mentioned approval process.

A decision to end the suspension of an academic program (re-open admission) shall follow the same consultative process that led to the initial suspension.

 Suspension is Considered/Implemented/Not Necessary

Send the following packet to the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Academic Programs team (catalog@csulb.edu):

  • Department/Program memo denoting why the discontinuance is necessary
  • Also include notes and voting records from the department and college curriculum committees as possible.
  • A memo of concurrence from the College's Dean
  • A teach-out / exit strategy plan for students currently in the program

 Approved by Academic Programs

Goes to Senate for review. Senate subcommittees review the propoal.

 Upon Approval Program will be Discontinued (Note, this process is effective Fall 2023. Submissions prior to this semester will go through full Senate approval.)

Offices of the Provost and President are notified.

 Appropriate proposals are shared with the CSU Chancellor's Office and the program will be removed from the Catalog on the noted effective date.