Program Suspension and Teachout

Process for Requesting Program Suspension

Program suspensions may be considered for a variety of reasons, including declining enrollment, changes in workforce or industry needs, resource constraints, shifts in institutional priorities, poor student outcomes, external factors such as state requirements and replacement with an updated program.  In some cases, a program may be temporarily suspended to allow for curricular revisions or other changes intended to strengthen the program and improve long-term viability. There may also be circumstances that require the institution to suspend a program outside of its typical review processes due to extenuating circumstances. The college is obligated by the state and its accrediting body to provide students in a suspended program a reasonable length of time to complete the program or to communicate with affected students if there is not a reasonable time to complete the program. We are required by our accrediting agency, NWCCU (soon to be renamed as Northlight Commission for Higher Education), to provide adequate time for a teachout or to provide a rationale if a teachout is not feasible.

Basic steps:

1. Determine the type of suspension

2. Develop the teachout plan

3. Review and final approval

4. Accrediting agency notification, including any additional external notifications

5. Implement suspension plan and communicate with students

6. Complete the teachout and program termination

Learn more about the suspension and teachout process:

• Academic Program Suspension (COPPS Procedure)

• NWCCU’s Substantive Change Manual