Minors

A minor is defined as a coherent program of study at the undergraduate level that requires some depth in a subject, but it is less extensive and requires fewer courses than a major. The minor should consist of at least 12, but no more than 21, credit hours of coursework (at least 6 credit hours of which should be at or above the 200-level).

The procedures to establish, revise, or eliminate a minor are described below. Please note that revisions include changes to a minor's requirements, as well as requests to reorganize minors (e.g., rename, consolidate, transfer).

 

 

Establish a Minor Heading link

The establishment of undergraduate minors must be approved at each of the governance levels listed below before final approval is issued by Academic Programs.

  1. College. Proposals are approved according to procedures established by the college. This process may involve the college’s educational policy committee and, in some cases, the college’s full faculty. Use the Template for Establishing Minors to prepare the proposal.
  2. Academic Programs (AP). Once the college has approved the proposal, it should be forwarded via email it to Dana Wright.
  3. Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
  4. UIC Senate
  5. University Senates Conference
  6. Board of Trustees (BOT). Submitted to the BOT as informational items.
  7. Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Included on a list of program changes that AP annually submits to the IBHE.

 

Revise or Reorganize a Minor Heading link

Proposals to revise and reorganize undergraduate minors are approved through a similar process, including approval at the following levels:

  1. College. Proposals are approved according to procedures established by the college. This process may involve the college’s educational policy committee and, in some cases, the college’s full faculty. Use the Submitting Changes to Academic Programs form to prepare the proposal.
  2. Academic Programs (AP). Once the college has approved the proposal, it should be forwarded via email it to Dana Wright.
  3. Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
  4. UIC Senate
  5. University Senates Conference
  6. Board of Trustees (BOT). Reorganizations may be reported to the BOT as informational items if the changes are of major significance and impact how the program is noted on student transcripts (e.g., renaming, consolidation). Revisions to program requirements are generally not reported to the BOT.

 

Eliminate a Minor Heading link

Proposals to eliminate undergraduate minors are approved through a similar process, including approval at the following levels:

  1. College. Proposals are approved according to procedures established by the college. This process may involve the college’s educational policy committee and, in some cases, the college’s full faculty. Use the Eliminating an Academic Program or Suspending Admissions form to prepare the proposal.
  2. Academic Programs (AP). Once the college has approved the proposal, it should be forwarded via email it to Dana Wright.
  3. Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
  4. UIC Senate
  5. University Senates Conference
  6. Board of Trustees (BOT). Reported to the BOT as an informational item.