WashU Olin’s Degree Programs are governed through the collaboration of faculty and staff. The primary school-level people and groups that govern degree programs are:
- School full-time faculty: Ultimately, WashU Olin’s school-level faculty are responsible for the content and policies of degree programs. Through voting, the school-level faculty set the curriculum and general operating policies of programs.
- Curriculum Committees: School curriculum committees comprise faculty and staff. They are responsible for approving experimental courses, providing provisional approval to degree program changes (i.e., pending full faculty review), developing new tracks and degree options, and formulating curricular policies.
- Faculty Academic Directors: Each program has an assigned faculty Academic Director. The Academic Director is the steward of the degree program, responsible for making recommendations to relevant faculty committees for changes to ensure the program is rigorous and relevant. The Faculty Academic Director also approves student petitions for exceptions to requirements in the program.
- Staff Program Directors: Each program has a designated staff leader. This staff leader collaborates with the Faculty Academic Director to set the direction of the program and promote a meaningful and wholistic student experience.