Program planning is a future-oriented process in which programs assess their current effectiveness in achieving goals and student learning outcomes and evaluate trends in pedagogy, student characteristics, career opportunities, technology, available resources, and other factors that may affect the future directions of the program. Programs use this information to develop five-year plans guiding decisions in a variety of areas such as curriculum revision and development, resource management, faculty and staff hiring, student recruitment and retention, and interaction with the community.The Program Planning Committee coordinates and oversees the program planning process.

Some aspects of program planning are dictated by California State University policies. others are guided by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) reviewing procedures.

Program Planning Schedules

Programs are generally reviewed on a five-year cycle. The program planning cycle for accredited programs coordinates with the accreditation cycle, if that cycle is seven years or less. See:  Academic Senate Policy F03-4.

• Calendar of programs review dates: Program Planning Calendar
• Required Data Elements (RDE) for program self-studies can be found at theOffice of Institutional Researchwebsite. For more information about RDE, see RDE Guide
• Program Planning Extension Requests- Must be made electronically to your Dean's office who will forward request to the Program Planning Committee.
• Program Planning Release Time Request Form

Programs with more than 120 units

Programs that require more than 120 units to graduate must reapply for the 120 unit exception at the beginning of the program report year. See: Academic Senate Policy S01-5.