University Curriculum and Degree Committee Procedural Guidelines

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE-CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS New and Modified Courses University Curriculum and Degree Committee Procedural Guidelines A. Faculty are strongly encouraged to present new undergraduate and graduate courses, cross listings, and modifications to existing courses originating within discipline/departmental/interdisciplinary programs to the UCDC, or its Graduate Subcommittee, for discussion before seeking approval by college curriculum committees. The Committee will, with the exception of those courses proposed for general education designation; focus exclusively on issues of duplication. The UCDC will examine all such proposals and offer its advice for the proposals before they are submitted to their appropriate unit for formal approval. B. Approval for new undergraduate and graduate courses, cross listings, and modifications to existing courses proposals are handled through their respective college curriculum committee (or, in the case of interdisciplinary courses, appropriate college curriculum committees). C. Once approved by the college curriculum committee all new undergraduate and graduate courses, cross-listings, and modifications to existing courses shall be submitted to the UCDC, or its Graduate Subcommittee, for its endorsement. Final approval of all course proposals is made by the provost and will only occur if UCDC/Graduate Subcommittee support is documented. Forms for creating and modifying courses are available through the individual college s curriculum committee sites. General Education Courses A. Courses (both new and existing) seeking designation as part of the university s general education program originating within discipline/departmental/interdisciplinary programs shall be presented to the UCDC s General Education Subcommittee for consideration before seeking any necessary approval by college curriculum committees. The General Education Subcommittee shall examine all such proposals and provide its consent for the proposals before any further step toward any approval can be taken. Once consent is obtained, the proposals, if necessary, are to be submitted to their respective college curriculum committee (or, in the case of interdisciplinary courses, appropriate college curriculum committees) for their consideration. Final approval of all general education course proposals is made by the provost and will only occur if the General Education Subcommittee is documented. Forms for creating and modifying courses are available through the individual college s curriculum committee sites. B. General education course proposals shall include the following information: projected enrollment for the next four years. This should be a realistic projection in order to allow other disciplines/departments/interdisciplinary programs to gauge impact on their programs. a statement outlining precisely how the course reflects the university s general education program and its learning outcomes. course learning outcomes should be a short list of the major outcomes for students who take the course. These outcomes must include at least one of the learning outcomes identified as a core learning outcome within the general education curriculum. This section should not explain what the course does, but rather what the student will be able to do after the course is over.

2 assessment/evaluation is a very important section that will show how carefully the proposer has thought the course through. There must be an assessment/evaluation plan tied to general education learning outcomes included in any proposal. Creating and Modifying Programs A. Faculty are strongly encouraged to present new and modified undergraduate and graduate degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas/tracks, and concentrations originating within discipline/departmental/interdisciplinary programs to the UCDC, or its Graduate Subcommittee, for discussion before seeking approval by college curriculum committees and, for graduate programs, the Graduate Subcommittee. The UCDC/Graduate Subcommittee shall review these proposals with an eye toward promoting efficient and strategic use of university resources and will offer advice and support to faculty by coordinating market research, assessing resource needs and assisting in seeking pre-approval for needed resources, and preventing duplication of content. The UCDC/Graduate Subcommittee shall examine all such proposals and offer its advice for the proposals before they are submitted to their appropriate unit for formal approval. This pre-approval step is designed to: 1) ensure that adequate planning and research (budgetary, curricular, demand, assessment, personnel, logistical, strategic, etc.) has taken place before launching the new program, 2) facilitate the smooth approval, implementation and marketing of all new programs, and 3) align programmatic development with the university s strategic goals. A pre-approval form (see Appendix A) must be completed for all proposed degree/certificate programs. Faculty should also consult the Checklists for Revising and Creating Undergraduate and Graduate Majors. B. Approval for all new and modified undergraduate and graduate degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas/tracks and concentrations is handled through the respective college curriculum committee. C. Once approved by the college curriculum committee all new and modified undergraduate degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas/tracks and concentrations shall be submitted to the UCDC for its endorsement. New and modified graduate degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas/tracks and concentrations shall be submitted to the Graduate Subcommittee and, when appropriate, to the Rackham Graduate Board, for endorsement. D. The UCDC shall be the formal approval body for all new undergraduate interdisciplinary degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas, and concentrations involving courses/faculty from more than one academic college and will, once approved by the UCDC, move directly to the provost for approval. The Graduate Subcommittee shall serve the same function for all new graduate interdisciplinary degree programs, majors, minors, certificates, emphasis areas, and concentrations involving courses/faculty from more than one academic college. E. Final approval of any new undergraduate or graduate degree program, major, minor, certificate, emphasis area/track, and concentration is made by the provost (and will only occur if UCDC or Graduate Subcommittee support is documented) and, when appropriate, the President s Council and Board of Regents. F. New undergraduate and graduate degree program, majors, minor, certificate, emphasis area/track, and concentration proposals shall include the following information (see Appendix A for the pre-approval form created by the Office of Academic Affairs): projected enrollment for the next four years. This should be a realistic projection in order to allow other disciplines/departments/interdisciplinary programs to gauge impact on their programs. statement of need must be based on an academic rationale along with a market study. list of similar/competing programs.

3 learning objectives should include a short list of the major outcomes for students who pursue the major. There must be an assessment/evaluation scheme included in any proposal. budgetary considerations (faculty lines needed, equipment/laboratory costs, accreditation costs, marketing costs, etc.). curricular needs (new classes proposed, etc.).

4 Appendix A Pre-Proposal for New Academic Programs In order to streamline the preparation of proposals for new academic programs and to facilitate timely approval by the appropriate campus committees, the Office of Academic Affairs requests the submission of a preproposal that includes the following information: 1. Title of academic program 2. Units and departments participating in the new program 3. Brief abstract describing the nature and the goals of the program (100 words or less) 4. Brief description of market analysis with regard to need (Are there similar programs offered in the Metropolitan area, including our campus?) and sustainability. Provide enrollment projections for a fiveyear period based on the market analysis. Please include an analysis of potential negative spillover effects of the new program on the revenue and enrollment of existing program(s). Contracting with ilabs or appropriate consultants for this effort is encouraged. 5. Start-up and other one-time costs (Use form attached) 6. Recurring (fixed) costs that include administrative staff, new faculty, routine equipment maintenance, license fees, etc. (Use form attached) 7. Estimates of revenue and expenses (Use form attached) NOTES: The pre-proposal is intended to help colleges and schools address crucial questions before engaging in the development of a full-blown proposal. It is understood that new programs can be developed that address a temporary need, and where the fixed costs are minimal. Such requests can go on a fast track for approval. Similarly, new programs that address a long-term need and where fixed and one-time costs are not significant can also go on a fast track for approval. When significant fixed costs and/or significant one-time costs are involved, then an in-depth market analysis is necessary to assess the long term viability of the proposed program. Significant costs are in the vicinity of $50,000. The intent is to promote fast approval in most cases. Prior approval by the Provost is generally needed if there are significant infrastructure costs ($100,000 or more) or fixed costs (annual) in excess of $50,000 and/or requests for new faculty lines. The proposed program may result in incremental increase in enrollment or it may help stem the decline in current enrollment or both. A realistic analysis will clarify the request for resources. Following the review and approval of the pre-proposal, a detailed proposal may be developed and submitted to appropriate university committees for a final resolution. Responsibility for curriculum development and new academic programs will continue to remain with faculty.

5 Approval of resources for new academic programs Unit: CASL CECS COB SOE (Check as appropriate) List Participating Departments: Title and Short Description of Proposed Program: Graduate Rackham Undergraduate Check as appropriate Deployment Costs: (Please provide details separately) Item 1 Description Infrastructure costs (space, renovations etc.) One-time cost 2 One-time start-up faculty costs 3 Administrative Staff - Fixed cost 4 New Faculty Lines - Fixed cost 5 Part-time Faculty - Fixed cost 6 7 Lab & Computer Equipment/Software/Databases One-time cost Lab & Computer Equipment/Software/Databases Variable cost reflecting year-to-year needs 8 Other Needs (e.g. Library, etc.) Projected Expenses: Resources Available in Dollars Additional Resources Needed in Dollars Projected Revenue: Projected Enrollment: Projected Incremental Increase in Enrollment in College/School: Fast Track Approval (Check if appropriate) Approved: Approved Provost Unit Dean(s) Date Amount