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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point > Office of the Registrar > Subject Prefix Guidelines

​​​​​​​​​​​Subject Prefix Guidelines

This policy establishes protocols for the vetting, approval and creation of subject prefixes for courses and disciplines maintained in the student information system, academic catalog and in student records. Course subject prefixes are proposed through the official curriculum change process.

Subject Prefix Approval

  • Most commonly, new subject prefixes are proposed and created in conjunction with a new academic program.

  • ​Course subject prefixes reflect a discipline or field of study, not the department in which the course is offered.

  • Course subject prefixes are assigned to academic departments or disciplines, not schools or colleges, for purposes of review and reporting.

  • When requesting a new subject prefix, the department should articulate the rationale for a new, unique prefix and why an existing subject prefix does not sufficiently represent the proposed curriculum.
  • Course subject prefixes are not approved for the sole purpose of marketing or differentiation of offerings based on instruction mode, tuition, or location.
  • Course subject prefixes are not approved on an experimental or interim basis. Rather, trial or temporary courses are offered under existing department or program course subject prefixes.
  • Subject prefixes are not created for only one or two specialized courses within a broader discipline. Use the primary discipline subject code, when feasible, to facilitate class searches and readability of transcripts.
  • ​Changes to existing subject prefixes may be proposed when academic programs or disciplines are approved for name changes and the existing prefixes are no longer relevant. Upon approval, active courses under the former subject prefix are recreated with the new subject prefix. Courses with the former subject prefix are inactivated and systematically linked to courses with the new subject prefix for purposes of repeatability, grade replacement, degree audit, etc.
  • Departments should consult with the Office of the Registrar to determine the availability of a new subject prefix prior to submitting curriculum materials for approval.

​Naming Conventions​ 
  • Subject prefixes are 2-4 alphabetical characters. No numbers or special characters are allowed.
  • Subject prefixes do not begin with or include the type of academic organization (D for Department) or degree type (e.g., M for master’s, B for ​bachelor’s).​
  • ​Single Word Discipline Rules   
    1. ​Use the first 3-4 letters. (Astronomy = ASTR) 
    2. ​If conflict exists, if the discipline is a compound word, use the first 1-3 letters of the first syllable and the first 1-3 letters of the second syllable. 
    3. If conflict exists, try the first 2-3 letters and 1-2 additional letters to form a version of the word. (Japanese = JAPN) 
    4. If conflict exists, consult with the Office of the Registrar. 
  • Dual Word Discipline Rules 
    1. Use the first two letters of each word. (Educational Sustainability = EDSU)
    2. If conflict exists, use the first letter of the first word and first three letters of the second word. (Natural Resources = NRES) 
    3. If conflict exists, use the first two letters of each word. (Data Science = DS) 
    4. If conflict exists, consult with the Office of the Registrar. 
  • ​Three Word Discipline Rules 
    1. Use the first letter of each word. (Health Care Administration = HCA)
    2. If conflict exists, use the first letter of each word and a second letter from one of the words. (Foreign Language Education = FLED) 
    3. If conflict exists, consult with the Office of the Registrar. 
  • Four or More Word Disciplines 
    1. Use the first letter of four words. (National Student Exchange Program = NSEP)
    2. If conflict exists, consult with the Office of the Registrar.
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