ÌÇÐÄAPP

Provost & Academic Vice President

STRA High-Unit Major Compliance Procedures

Approved by: Provost and Academic Vice President
Approval Date: August 18, 2026
Effective Date: August 2026

Purpose

ÌÇÐÄAPP is committed to facilitating the transfer of qualified students while complying with the Illinois Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STRA) 110 ILCS 150/120(a). These procedures establish the University's process for identifying specified high-unit majors and documenting compliance with applicable state law.

Transfer of IAI Coursework

Approved Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) lower-division coursework will transfer as direct course equivalents whenever applicable and consistent with University degree requirements.

Identification of High-Unit Majors

ÌÇÐÄAPP may identify academic programs that qualify as specified high-unit majors when additional lower-division coursework is academically justified, required by specialized accreditation or licensure standards, or otherwise permitted under applicable law. Such institutional identification documents the University's academic justification for the designation and supplements, but does not replace or supersede, any program approval or agreement required by state law.

Student Protections

Transfer students meeting applicable admission, transfer, and program requirements shall not be required to complete additional institutional degree requirements beyond those required of similarly situated native students except where permitted by law or necessary for accreditation, licensure, or programmatic requirements.

PROCEDURES

Documentation

The University shall maintain documentation sufficient to demonstrate compliance with state law for each designated high-unit major, including the academic rationale, accreditation or licensure requirements (if applicable), approval documentation, effective date, the institutional inventory, and any correspondence, acknowledgment, approval, notification, or other documentation received from IBHE related to the designation.

Approval and Review Process

Academic units seeking designation of a high-unit major shall complete the University's High-Unit Major Certification Form. Recommendations shall be reviewed through the appropriate academic and administrative approval process and approved by the Provost or designee. Following institutional approval, the University shall submit the High-Unit Major Certification Form and supporting documentation to IBHE for approval, acknowledgment, or other guidance regarding the designation. Any response received from IBHE shall be maintained as part of the University's compliance documentation.

Periodic Review

Documentation supporting designated high-unit majors shall be reviewed whenever a program is substantially revised, accreditation or licensure requirements change, or at least every five years.

Administration

The Provost's Office is responsible for implementation of these procedures. The Office of Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness shall maintain the institutional compliance documentation and inventory for STRA purposes in consultation with the Registrar's Office. The offices responsible for maintaining student-facing publications shall ensure that their published information accurately reflects approved high-unit majors and applicable transfer information. These procedures shall be implemented consistent with applicable state law and any approval, notification, or documentation requirements established by IBHE. Nothing in these procedures authorizes exceptions to state law or University degree requirements.