Changing a CIP Code (Courseleaf expedited review)

 CPE allows programs to change CIP codes in the following circumstances:

1. A new CIP code is available that better fits the current program requirements. The department must request approval of the new CIP code through the Courseleaf Curriculum Process and then through CPE.
   1. After you have selected your desired CIP code, complete required proposal form and upload it to a program change request in Courseleaf to be approved through the WKU curriculum process.
   2. The department chair, dean, and Provost must sign the completed proposal through Courseleaf curriculum process.
   3. Once the Courseleaf proposal reaches Rheanna.Plemons@wku.edu  in the Provost’s Office at the CPE level, she will make sure it gets submitted to the correct person at CPE and will provide updates as the Provost gets them.
   4. After CPE approves the change, the Provost’s Office will notify Information Technology and Institutional Research to make the update in WKU’s databases.
2. To meet the needs of international students, a CIP approved by the Department of Homeland Security better fits the curriculum requirements. In order to meet the needs of your international students, you must select a Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-approved CIP code from their list and request that CPE change your current CIP code to match the one approved by the DHS. Here are the steps:
   1. Visit https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf to view the DHS-approved CIP codes and identify the new CIP code that best describes your program.
   2. For your reference, you can visit https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/wizard/default.aspx?y=56 and enter Western Kentucky University in the Institution Search box. This shows you a list of CIP codes on programs awarded at WKU in the past 3 years. In addition, you can view a comprehensive list of CIP codes at: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/browse.aspx?y=56.
   3. After you have selected your desired CIP code, complete required proposal form and upload it to a program change request in Courseleaf to be approved through the WKU curriculum process.
   4. The department chair, dean, and Provost must sign the completed proposal through Courseleaf curriculum process.
   5. Once the Courseleaf proposal reaches Rheanna.Plemons@wku.eduin the Provost’s Office at the CPE level, she will make sure it gets submitted to the correct person at CPE and will provide updates as she get them.
   6. After CPE approves the change, the Provost’s Office will notify Information Technology and Institutional Research to make the update in WKU’s databases.

3. A program is revised to the point that a new CIP code is needed. SACSCOC and CPE have varying requirements for new program proposals. However, CPE states if a program changes to the point of requiring a new CIP code, then the new program proposal process must be followed. Furthermore, CPE policy states the following: 

Combined Programs (New CIP Code)
If two academic programs are combined into one program, the combined program will be considered a new academic program and must follow state wide program approval policy only if it requires a CIP code different from the CIP codes associated with the existing programs. 

• If the CIP code for one of the existing programs is the most appropriate descriptor of the combined program, this will be considered a program modification.

Separated Programs (New CIP Code) 

If an existing academic program is separated into two academic programs, the separated programs are considered new academic programs only if a new CIP code is needed for one or both programs. 

• If the existing CIP code is still the most appropriate descriptor of one of the separated programs, this will be considered a program modification.