{"id":669,"date":"2026-05-21T19:14:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T19:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-uwsp-multi.pantheonsite.io\/academic-affairs\/?page_id=669"},"modified":"2026-05-26T19:47:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:47:33","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academic-affairs\/growth-initiative\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Q: What is the proccess for proposing a \u200bnew program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A: Please see the “Resources” tab in the left-hand navigation bar of this webpage for an overview of the new academic program planning process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What if I am thinking about developing a new “non-credit” program\u200b?\u200b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  Please follow the same process for submitting your new program idea, and select “non-credit” as the program type in the Idea or Discovery Form.  Non-credit programs are intended for learners needing to maintain licensure or learn a new skill when earning college credits is not required.  Non-credit programs are administered through the UWSP Continuing Education & Outreach unit\u200b<\/a> (CE\u200b).  Once your new program idea is submitted, CE professionals, and others in the Growth Initiative Matrix Team, will assist you with further exploring your idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kind of market research is done during the new program evaluation process\u200b?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  We rely on a variety of market research resources and use a variety of market research techniques to uncover data that helps inform us of the potential of a new program.  The UWSP Insights Team leads the Growth Initiative market research efforts.  The team carefully considers the best approach to conducting new program market rese\u200b\u200barch.  Most typically, an environmental scan is completed \u200bearly in the process so we may have an introductory understanding of market demand, competitors, risks, and other factors.  A deeper dive into exploring a potential market may also be necessary if market information is not readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How does leadership decide if a new program idea will be launched?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  New program ideas are reviewed carefully to understand the many factors that lead to program success, including market potential, available resources, and risks that can be managed.  A new program may also need to be vetted through UWSP and UW System governance, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and other program-specific accreditation bodies. See the UWSP Common Council Forms webpage for more information on Guidelines and Checklists for new courses and programs: https:\/\/www3.uwsp.edu\/commoncouncil\/Pages\/Forms.aspx<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See also the Academic Approval Chart<\/strong> that was revised in 2025 here: https:\/\/www3.uwsp.edu\/commoncouncil\/Documents\/Webpage%20Forms\/UWSP%20Academic%20Approval%20Chart.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bQ: What if I don’t know what modality to propose for the new program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  You may not know if the program you are proposing would fit best as a fully in-person, hybrid, or fully online and that is okay.  Modality is something that can be determined during the “Cultivate” stage of the Growth Initiative Program Accelerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What is Service-Based Pricing?
<\/strong>
\u200bA:  Service-Based Pricing (sometimes referred to as “SBP”) is a tuition-setting approach that allows some flexibility in how tuition funds are allocated.  Service-Based Pricing was created to recognize that \u201cnontraditional students are a fast-growing segment of learners served throughout the UW System, a trend that will continue into the future. It is important for campuses to meet the needs of nontraditional students as campuses chart their own futures.” (Source: SYS 130).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWSP has campus-specific guidelines for programs with Market-Based Tuition, and these guidelines provide information on Service-Based Pricing.  Market-Based T\u200buition programs are defined as \u201cdesigned for non-traditional students that charges a per-credit tuition rate.”  For more information and definitions, see the following document: https:\/\/www3.uwsp.edu\/budget\/Documents\/Market-Based%20Tuition%20Guidelines-Final%207-2-24.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UW System created UW System Administration Policy 130 (SYS 130) \u201cAcademic Credit for the Nontraditional Market (Other than Correspondence Courses) Regardless of Funding Source” to address programs intended to serve the non-traditional student market (See definition of the nontraditional student in Appendix A<\/a>, Section F.)  Per SYS 130, the policy \u201csets forth the principles that guide the determination of funding and describes budget policy. A glossary of terms is included in Appendix A<\/a>.”  See Appendix B<\/a> for more information about and guidelines for the service-based pricing approach. (Source: SYS 130<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How do I find out if my idea was evaluated\u200b?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  We have processes in place to keep you informed of the progress of your idea.\u200b\u200b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bQ: Who is\u200b\u200b\u200b available to help me develop a new program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:  Specialists are ready to help with supporting new program growth, as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n