Programs, Curricula & Courses (PCC) Manual

Introduction
 Table of Contents
Programs
Departments
Approval Routes and Times
Centers and Institutes
College Contacts

The Design of Academic Programs

Curriculum Changes
Faculty Governance
Off-Campus and
Distance Learning
Minors
Bachelor's Degrees
Honors Programs
Master's Degrees
Doctoral Degrees
Certificates
Combined Bachelor's /
Master's Degrees
Dual Master's /
Doctoral Degrees
Credentials
Master and Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies

bullet Approved Programs

bullet 2007-08 Academic Planning and Programs Calendar (Please contact the Graduate School for information about Graduate PCC and Graduate Council meetings.)

 

Design of Academic Programs

Section I: Information Required in
Curriculum Change Proposals

While some simple curricular changes (e.g. substitution of one course for another because of course updating or numbering changes, etc.) will require less detail, the following information should be included in most proposals for a change in a program's curriculum requirements:

  1. Current (old) requirements. As shown in the catalog, plus additional materials, if any, prepared by the Department or College and distributed to current students.
  2. Proposed (new) requirements. (Please also check that the requirements are consistent with the regulations specific to the type of certificate or degree.)
  3. Identification of and rationale for the changes.
  4. A sample program under the proposed requirements. Show how a typical student would progress through the proposed program year by year. Attention should be paid to course prerequisites to ensure that students can actually follow the prescribed program. A table illustrating the semester by semester breakdown of credits is useful.
  5. A list, table or chart showing the prerequisite structure of all required or optional courses appearing in the new requirements. It may also be helpful to provide a table illustrating a sample schedule of course offerings, semester by semester, to demonstrate that, with the available and anticipated faculty, enough courses will initially be offered to allow students to progress through their programs. The schedule should allow time for the necessary development of new courses.
  6. A list of any new courses: prefix, number, title, credits. New courses that have not yet been approved need not have specific numbers, but should be identified according to the desired level, such as 3**. "Selected" or "Special" topics courses should be avoided. If courses to be offered regularly in the new program are presently offered as "Selected" or "Special" topics, you should propose to make them permanent. Indicate new courses with an X. Indicate current courses that will be substantially modified as part of the program change with an M. Include a copy of the VPAC information describing these new or modified courses. It is your responsibility to insure that the new or modified course proposals are submitted for VPAC approval in a timely fashion.
  7. A list of the courses being deleted from the program requirements.
  8. Letters from any department(s) whose courses will be required or otherwise impacted. If the change in curriculum introduces a requirement (or recommendation) that majors take a course offered by another department, it is important to establish that such a requirement will not unduly burden faculty and resources elsewhere on campus. Attach a memorandum or letter from the Chair of the affected department indicating that it can handle the additional enrollment that the curriculum change will generate.
  9. It should be specifically acknowledged that students enrolled in the program prior to the effective date of any curriculum change may complete their program under the old requirements if they wish. The courses required must remain available, or suitable substitutions specifically designated. Further, if the proposed curriculum change affects articulation or transfer programs, the proposal should explain how currently-enrolled community college students will be able to complete their projected programs. Any necessary modifications to articulation agreements should be attached.

 

 

Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Planning & Programs
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