2.1 Statement of Academic Council Purposes and Authority

(Approved February 16, 1994) (Amended October 27, 2004) (Amended January 25, 2012)

The purpose of the Academic Council is to establish, monitor, review, certify, and advise on policies and procedures which will ensure high and consistent academic standards of graduate and undergraduate education throughout the Naval Postgraduate School. It will prosecute this responsibility by:

1. reviewing curricula and degree and academic certificate program requirements;
2. by adjudicating exceptions and deviations from standard procedures in particular instances or special circumstances;
3. and by advising the Provost on ways to maintain and improve the quality of education at the school.

The Academic Council shall concern itself both with quality control aspects of the School's academic programs and with ways to promote the development of academic excellence in the unique context of professional graduate education. At the request of the Provost, the Academic Council shall also provide advice and assistance in formulating, revising and clarifying the educational mission of the School.

The Academic Council is authorized to:

1. approve new degree and academic certificate programs and major alterations to existing degree and academic certificate programs;
2. approve nominations for degrees;
3. approve nominations to candidacy for doctoral degrees;
4. append the accolade of With Distinction to individual master's degrees;
5. approve special programs of study.

Any matter subject to the Council's approval must be submitted to the Council for its consideration.