Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Program Approvals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves a slate of new degree programs and program changes across CT State
Summary
At the Feb. 14 meeting the committee approved multiple program actions across Connecticut State campuses, including new bachelor's and master's degrees, discontinuations and curriculum modifications. The approvals were unanimous voice votes unless otherwise noted.
The Board Committee on Academic and Student Affairs approved a package of program actions at its Feb. 14 meeting, including new degree programs, degree‑name modifications, and discontinuations across CT State campuses. The committee adopted each item by motion and voice vote; most actions were described and seconded on the record and recorded as approved by the committee.
Key approvals and actions (motions tied to agenda item numbers):
- 4B1: Modification — Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts and Science (modification approved).
- 4B2: Modification — Associate in Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences (modification approved).
- 6B2 (Southern): New program — Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management (approved). Presenters said the program targets both students preparing for entry‑level management roles and licensed practitioners shifting into administrative roles. Dean Larry Brancazio and Dean Bulmer described coursework combining health care operations, insurance and billing, electronic records and business fundamentals; the proposal noted a conservative revenue projection of $500,000 by year three and stated that no new full‑time faculty would be requested in year three unless revenue goals are met. Employer Dan George, chief human resources officer at Connecticut Orthopedic, spoke in support, saying "a program like this provides a venue to develop students, develop individuals interested in becoming into health care management, and that we as an employer can hire them directly from the program knowing that they have the necessary skills." (Mr. George identified Connecticut Orthopedic as a 700‑employee physician‑owned private practice with multiple Connecticut locations.)
- 6C1 (Southern): Discontinuation — health science concentration of the existing major (approved as part of the Southern package).
- 6B1 (Southern / School of Business): New program — Bachelor of Science in Energy and Utility Leadership (approved). Presenters said the program was developed with industry partners including Avangrid, Eversource, Connecticut Water Company and the Regional Water Authority and described $610,000 in initial investment support to fund scholarships and outreach.
- 6B3 (Southern): New program — Master of Science in Business Analytics (approved). The School of Business described emphasis on AI integration and applied analytics, industry‑sourced capstone projects and recruitment plans that include domestic and international cohorts.
- 6B4 (Southern): New program — Master of Science in Financial Risk Management (approved). Presenters said the program connects fintech and AI tools to professional credential preparation and a capstone with employer partners.
- 6C2 (Southern): Discontinuation — Public Utilities Management concentration (approved as part of the School of Business package).
- 6B2/6C1 etc. — Several below‑threshold and related curriculum items were reported; committee members were briefed and no additional committee action was required for below‑threshold items.
- Central: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (approved). Central presenters described a program that reuses and builds on existing coursework in software engineering, data science, and computer information technology, with a capstone experience and feeder 4+1 options from undergraduate majors.
- DevOps certificate (Central): Name change from Software Engineering certificate to DevOps (approved as a name change aligned with industry advisory feedback).
How the committee handled votes and resources: Most motions were moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote. Where presenters referenced budget or enrollment projections, the committee discussion noted conservative estimates and, in several cases, a commitment not to request new full‑time faculty lines until projected revenues or enrollment thresholds are met.
What presenters emphasized: program distinctiveness, industry partnerships, AI integration and practical capstone/consulting projects designed to place graduates into the workforce. Southern presenters emphasized AACSB accreditation for their School of Business programs and projected international recruitment for select graduate concentrations; Central and other campuses emphasized reuse of existing curricular resources and 4+1 or pathway arrangements to improve sustainability.
Several regents and presenters called attention to implementation details the campuses will manage after approval — staffing allocations, shared governance steps, articulation and transfer processes, and metrics to track student outcomes post‑graduation.
The committee did not indicate any failed motions during the Feb. 14 meeting.
