RoadMap

The purpose of a program proposal is to create a road map for a student's learning journey toward a degree in a career-oriented field of study. The proposal lays out a justification by describing how the program supports the College's mission and meets the needs of students, the workplace and civil society. The proposal enumerates the learning outcomes or competencies that graduates of the program are expected to attain. The proposal describes what resources are required in order for students to meet the intended learning outcomes; charts the course sequence that students will follow to attain those learning outcomes; and designs the courses that facilitate those learning outcomes.

As you begin to design a new program or revise an existing one, keep in mind that creating a course proposal is a collaborative activity; the process is greatly enhanced by working with a small team, coordinating with your Dean, engaging a facilitator, consulting with peers from different divisions and disciplines, and gathering input from colleagues who do not have a vested interest in the project to ask key questions, challenge assumptions, make connections, and see the bigger picture. Seek input from faculty colleagues and from members of the Curriculum Administration Team and your Curriculum Committee Division Representative, and your program proposal with be stronger and richer for it.

Components of a Program Proposal

A program proposal contains, in addition to a number of static data fields, many moving parts. The data fields in a program proposal are as follows:

Catalog Information

Type of Program
Division
Proposal Type
Program Name
Effective Semester (when course will first be offered)
Program description

Resource Requirements

Rationale and Market Analysis
Resources (Anticipated personnel or needs other than technology and library)
Library Information Requirements
Technology Requirements

Courses, Learning Outcomes and Methods of Assessment

Program Learning Outcomes
Major Methods of Assessment
New Courses
Course Landscape
Curriculum Map
Summary of Program Credits

Modifications (modification proposals only)

Checklist of Changes
Summary List of Changes
Rationale for Changes

For more information on each of these components go to the section Program Proposal Fields - Definitions and Guidelines.

Types of Program Proposals

There are a number of different types of program proposals. Different types of proposals require different proposal templates and have different approval processes (workflows). Go to the Creating a New Program page and follow the steps for a detailed guide on creating a new program proposal.

Minors, Threads or Certificates

Use the New Minor, Thread or Certificate form for proposing the addition of a new minor in the undergraduate four-year degree program (TRAD) catalog; for proposing a new thread for the Integrative Professional Studies program (in the Degree Design Lab); for proposing a new undergraduate certificate in the CPS undergraduate catalog; or for proposing the addition of a new graduate certificate in the graduate catalog.

Use the Minor, Thread or Certificate Modification form for modifying an undergraduate minor, IPS thread or certificate program. Modifications may include changes to learning outcomes, landscape, name, or methods of assessment.

REMEMBER: When starting any course modification proposal in Curriculog, the first step must be to (1) import the existing catalog data into the template. Be sure to (2) launch the proposal before making revisions.

IMPORT > LAUNCH > EDIT

Use the Minor or Certificate Elimination form when proposing the removal of an undergraduate minor, undergraduate certificate, or graduate certificate from the College catalogs.

New Degree Program

The New Degree Program – TRAD form is used to propose the addition of a new Bachelor’s degree program in the undergraduate four-year degree program (TRAD) catalog.

The New Degree Program – CPS Undergrad form is used to propose the addition of a new Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree program in the CPS undergraduate catalog.

The New Degree Program – GRAD form is used for proposing the addition of a new Master’s degree program in the graduate catalog.

Program Modification

Use the Program Modification – TRAD form when modifying a traditional, four-year undergraduate degree program. Modifications may include changes to program learning outcomes, program landscape, program name, or program methods of assessment.

If making changes to a specialization associated with this program, use the Program Modification -TRAD form. Revising a specialization includes changes in course offerings, learning outcomes, methods of assessment, and/or competencies.

Use the Program Modification – CPS Undergrad when modifying a CPS undergraduate degree program. Modifications may include changes to program learning outcomes, program landscape, program name, or program methods of assessment.

Use the Program Modification – GRAD when modifying a graduate degree program. Modifications may include changes to program learning outcomes, program landscape, program name, or program methods of assessment.

REMEMBER: When starting any course modification proposal in Curriculog, the first step must be to (1) import the existing catalog data into the template. Be sure to (2) launch the proposal before making revisions.

IMPORT > LAUNCH > EDIT

Program Elimination

Use the Degree Program Elimination form when proposing the discontinuance of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.

REMEMBER: When starting any course modification proposal in Curriculog, the first step must be to (1) import the existing catalog data into the template. Be sure to (2) launch the proposal before making revisions.

IMPORT > LAUNCH > EDIT

The program elimination process requires involvement from faculty and administration. The process is outlined in Section 8.3 of the Faculty Handbook.