Existing academic programs evolve and new ones emerge. When this happens, ideas are vetted internally, first at the college level and later by the Board of Trustees. New programs frequently require external approval as well, most often through the New York State Education Department (SED) and sometimes through our accrediting body, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Once established, all academic programs at Cornell undergo a process of systematic review every 7 to 10 years. The Faculty Committee on Program Review (FCPR), a university-wide professorial faculty committee, oversees the review process.