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Purpose

The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Academic Program Incubator (MAPI) advances two recommendations (#5 and #18) in ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s strategic plan, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúRISE: (1) to “develop a mechanism for experimentation using a curricular innovation lab”; and (2) to “redesign the current process for curriculum review in order to make it more flexible, efficient and responsive.”

Designed through a collaboration among the Office of the Provost, University Registrar, Council of Undergraduate Curriculum, Graduate Council and Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Academic Program Incubator (MAPI) aims to encourage, support and incentivize the rapid revitalization and creation of undergraduate and graduate programs that are aligned with the University mission and meet student and market needs as well as to ensure that ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú offers a high-quality and cost-effective portfolio of academic programs.

Faculty, departments and divisions considering the development of new degree programs, majors, co-majors or certificates should participate in the MAPI program. 

Faculty and departments considering significant revisions of existing programs (meaning more than 25% of the content or credit hours related to the program are being revised) are encouraged (but not required) to participate.

The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Academic Program Incubator is designed to: 

• Diversify and expand the university’s portfolio of high-quality, high-demand, revenue-generating undergraduate and graduate programs, especially interdisciplinary programs;
• Ensure that the portfolio is aligned with the University mission and utilizes resources effectively;
• Provide an incentive for curricular experimentation and collaboration across departments and divisions;
• Renew or re-invigorate existing academic programs, ripe for innovation and expansion that would benefit from incorporating new delivery methods, new structural components and/or additional resources;
• Identify new and emerging markets for undergraduate and graduate programming and proactively work with departments and divisions to develop promising programs;
• Build on and sustain some of the goals of key strategic initiatives such as the Academic Program Evaluation, Improvement and Prioritization Project and Boldly Creative.

Program Benefits

• Proposal development assistance – including coordination between internal and external offices and stakeholders, guidance in development proposal components, and consultation on innovative program design, identification of possible overlaps or duplications with other existing programs, cultivation of strategies for promoting core ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú values (e.g., equity and diversity, active learning and inquiry, written communication) in the program and its courses in ways that are appropriate to the field of study or discipline, budget guidance, and potential opportunities for collaboration across departments and divisions
• Utilization of market research data and other research – encompassing data related to a variety of possible factors and depending on the program’s particular context (e.g., enrollment, possible career paths and employment, benchmarking with competitors)
• Opportunity to apply for Boldly Creative start-up funds– ability to apply for a loan from the Provost to cover some costs until tuition revenue covers expenses
• Participation in revenue sharing– following the repayment of the loan from the Provost’s Boldly Creative Fund, colleges/departments receive a portion of program operating surplus for any new graduate program.

Participating in the Program

Faculty, departments and divisions considering the development of new degree programs, majors, co-majors or certificates should participate in the MAPI program. 

Faculty and departments considering significant revisions of existing programs (meaning more than 25% of the content or credit hours related to the program are being revised) are encouraged (but not required) to participate.

Faculty may begin their participation at any time during the fall or spring semester.  The time investment can be anywhere from 2-3 weeks to several months, depending on the nature of the program idea.

To get started, log onto the  (open to members of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Community), and contact Carolyn Haynes, Senior Associate Provost, haynesca@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu.