Procedures for Graduate Curriculum: Changes to Existing Programs

M24W

NOTE:  Proposers should follow the process articulated in M33T for a new graduate program that meets any of the following conditions:  (a) results in a new degree, previously not offered by the University; (b) that requires significant financial resources; (c) requires a substantive change prospectus for Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Proposal Forms for new courses and other curricular changes to existing programs may be found on the University Curriculum Committee site.

The formal definition of a credit hour may be found here. Please consult it when proposing a course with a nonstandard meeting schedule and address it within your proposal.

1. Discussions regarding curriculum change proposals will involve the Department Chair, Program Director, and school/department faculty as appropriate.
2. Development of curriculum change proposals will involve the respective Dean of the school or college, the Department Chair and/or the Program Director as appropriate; and designated faculty.

3. Curriculum and program proposals will be considered by a designated school- or division-based committee. The Department Chair, Program Director, or other interdisciplinary Proposer (see below), with support and documentation provided by the department faculty and the Dean of the school or college, will attend meetings when the proposal is discussed.
4. The designated school- or division-based committee may vary (in name and composition) according to the organizational structure and size of the school, division, or department that originates the proposal. However, the committee structure and process must comply with any applicable requirements of accrediting agencies. Some examples of current models are shown below:

• Love School of Business: The school-based curriculum committee is designated to review and approve graduate curriculum and program proposals. For proposals originating from a department, approval of the department faculty is required before review by the school-based curriculum committee.
• Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education: The Teacher Education Committee is designated to review and approve graduate curriculum and program proposals. Secondary approval by the school-based curriculum committee is not required for graduate program proposals. For the M.Ed. program, the Teacher Education Committee is also required to approve any curriculum or program changes prior to the school-based curriculum committee approval.

5. For changes to interdisciplinary graduate programs involving more than one school or division, faculty in the program will be designated to discuss and develop the proposal. The principal Proposer, generally a program Director (or equivalent title), fulfills the role of Department Chair in this process, and the Proposers' academic Dean represents the administration as the proposal moves forward for consideration. Changes to such a program should be reviewed by all relevant school or division Curriculum Committees.

6. On approval by the Dean and school or division-based curriculum committee (s), curriculum and program proposals will be forwarded to the Graduate Council for consideration. The proposal(s) must be submitted to the Chair of Graduate Council 14 days before the next scheduled meeting of the Graduate Council to be listed on the meeting agenda. The respective Proposer and academic Dean, will be invited to the Graduate Council meeting to discuss the proposal(s).
7. On approval by the Graduate Council, curriculum proposals will be submitted by the sponsoring department to the Office of the Registrar and can be revised only to reflect catalog copy. 

8. The Provost' designee on the Graduate Council serves as a liaison to the University Curriculum Committee and can, after consulting with the Chairs of Graduate Council and the University Curriculum Committee, recommend a subsequent review by the University Curriculum Committee in cases where a proposal may significantly impact the undergraduate academic program or curriculum.