A new master's program should have a full commitment for excellence from the faculty, administration, and governing board. The prestige value of graduate programs tempts those who seek to install them. While the prestige factor is legitimate, it cannot of itself justify the approval or existence of any graduate programs. The program must be justified on some other basis. The following specific steps must be taken: (1) Approval of the program by the governing board of the institution concerned. (2) Approval of the program by the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System. (3) Certification of adequate financing of the program by the institution after Coordinating Board approval. (4) When an institution has not previously offered master's level work, notification to the executive secretary of the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is required at
least one year in advance of program implementation.
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