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Program Development (Introduction, Modification, Discontinuation): Procedure & Required Documents

See also Process Manual.

 

How is a degree program introduced?

First, the study program is designed at the faculty on the basis of Constructive Alignment and within OVGU's teaching profile in accordance with the target agreement with the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The mission statement and guidelines for teaching and learning, as well as the quality criteria (in particular Part A), are applied in this process. The following documents are required to introduce a study program:

These documents are prepared in consultation with K33 and, where applicable, the Legal Office, and are subsequently considered by the KSL and the Senate, which must approve the introduction. Please note that, for a program beginning in the winter semester, the introduction decision must be made by December of the preceding year at the latest; for a program beginning in the summer semester, the decision must be made by June of the preceding year at the latest. Please also refer to Chapter 2 of the Process Manual and the Study Program Introduction Checklist.

How is a degree program discontinued?

The basis for closing a study program is the Regulations for the Closure of Study Programs, which govern the phase-out of the program, e.g., with regard to the right of remaining students to take examinations. If closure is requested by the faculty or becomes necessary for other reasons, the KSL, upon application by the faculty, submits a recommendation concerning closure to the Senate. The Senate then decides whether the study program will be closed. The application and accompanying documents must be submitted in March for closure at the start of the winter semester and in September for closure at the start of the following summer semester. The documents should reach K3 twelve weeks before the meeting. Closure may also be requested by the President's Office. The faculty informs the students, while K33 arranges for the closure to be announced publicly within the university. If the most recent QTB is older than one standard study duration, a final QTB is prepared. Please also refer to Chapter 6 of the Process Manual and the Study Program Closure Checklist.

What do I need to do if I want to change a study program?

First, it must be clarified in consultation with K33 whether the modification constitutes a “significant change.” A significant change (unless it results from a measure of the QES) may lead to a renewed review of the study program's accreditation. Please refer to Chapter 5 of the Process Manual and the Guide to Significant Changes to a Study Program. If the modification is not a significant change, or if the significant change results from QES instruments, the study program documents are revised in consultation with K33. The faculty drafts the study documents and submits them to the Legal Office and K33 (please refer to the relevant guides, templates, and model study documents). They review the documents for legal and accreditation-related aspects (compliance with the Higher Education Act and quality criteria). The documents reviewed in this way are submitted by the faculty to the KSL, which recommends further consideration by the Senate. The Senate comments on the documents; if its vote is positive, the President subsequently approves and signs the documents. The study documents and/or information are then published in the university's Official Announcements. Please note that for a modification effective in the winter semester, the application and accompanying documents must be submitted in March, and for a modification effective in the summer semester, in the preceding September. The documents should reach K3 twelve weeks before the meeting: guides and templates

Please also refer to Chapter 3 of the Process Manual and the Study Program Modification Checklist (Checkliste Studiengang ändern)

What do I need to do if I want to amend an SPO or other program-related bylaws?

The faculty must first determine whether an amendment to the regulations is still permissible or whether new regulations must be drafted (for the SER, a new set of regulations is required from the fifth amendment onward; for all other regulations, drafting new regulations is always recommended, e.g., internship regulations). In the event of an amendment, both K33 and the Legal Office must be informed. For this purpose, the regulations are submitted using the amendment template together with a statement of reasons. The Legal Office and K33 review the amendment for legal and accreditation-related aspects. The documents reviewed in this way are submitted by the faculty to the KSL, which recommends further consideration by the Senate. Following a positive statement by the Senate and approval by the President, the documents are published in the university's Official Announcements. Please note that for a modification effective in the winter semester, the application and accompanying documents must be submitted in March, and for a modification effective in the summer semester, in the preceding September. The documents should reach K3 twelve weeks before the meeting. Please also refer to Chapter 3 of the Process Manual.

What documents are important when opening, closing, or making changes to a business?

The following documents are important when introducing a study program:

 

The following documents are important when closing a study program:

 

The following documents are important when modifying a study program:

 

Last Modification: 12.08.2026 -
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