Academic Program Revitalization and New Program Launch Resource Center
This collection of resources and tools is designed to help faculty leaders and program heads revitalize existing academic programs and develop and launch new programs.
Why we need to innovate
Colleges and universities have always faced a tension between preserving academic traditions and adapting to a changing world. In the current environment, constrained resources, questions about the relevance of many traditional academic programs, and shifting student demand are making academic program innovation more critical than ever.
Institutions are increasingly looking for ways to revise, refresh, and improve existing programs in the hopes of avoiding budget deficits and academic program cuts. New or redesigned programs also offer an opportunity to improve student access and enhance both learning outcomes and career outcomes.
Current barriers to innovation
Innovation is both challenging and risky. It requires collaboration, analysis, and a willingness to ask difficult questions about existing practices. Faculty who are overworked, anxious about resources, and concerned about incursions into their disciplinary autonomy are understandably hesitant to take on a new project with uncertain results.
They also typically lack the data and tools necessarily to evaluate and implement new program approaches. While the specific changes necessary for any particular program will depend on disciplinary context and market dynamics, the resources available below will help to accelerate and inform decision-making on campus.
Steps to launch new and revitalize existing programs
Learn about four of the most damaging mistakes institutions make when planning new programs and explain how academic leaders can use the Academic Program Innovation Resources to avoid them.
Analyze existing programs
Reclaiming the Value of the Liberal Arts for the 21st Century
New college accountability measures seem to discriminate against the liberal arts, but liberal arts graduates actually develop a number of skills that prepare them for both entry-level jobs and long-term career success. Learn how progressive institutions are highlighting the value of a liberal arts curriculum in the 21st century.
Making the Academy Market-Smart
Students are increasingly considering academic program when searching for colleges, but academic program planning rarely prioritizes student demand trends. Discover 13 practices to hard-wire the consideration of enrollment trends into academic decision-making.
Understand market trends
How to use state demand data to launch or revitalize programs
Use state-level data to achieve more successful launches by encouraging a data-driven approach.
Design new programs
Market Demand Validation Checklist
Source and interpret market demand data to assess the viability of a proposed program. The tool will help you identify possible data sources and their limitations, and guide decisions that align programs with market needs.
Embedding Demand Validation in Program Development
Use the following tools to propose new programs. The first tool is a New Program Pre-Proposal Form that will help faculty address how a new program will be positioned for enrollment success. The second is a form universities should have students use when designing their own majors to ensure the university can capture this valuable intelligence about what interdisciplinary programs have attracted student interest.
Marketing Rules of Thumb
Create a marketing plan for new programs that optimizes investments toward the marketing opportunities that will have the greatest impact on enrollment.
Market Alignment Checklist
Use the market alignment checklist to spur thinking on program design decisions that may impact enrollment or student outcomes.
Sample Business Case Templates Use the business case templates to help develop a new program proposal.
Estimate the cost of new programs
Use one of the following sample cost calculators to help estimate the total costs of proposed programs.
- New Program Budget Template, Jefferson University
- New Program Financial Planning Tool, McMaster University
- New Program Budget Template, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Two to three years after new program launch, assess the financial and enrollment health of the program to identify improvement opportunities.
- Lookback Analysis Template, Jefferson University
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