| Curriculum Development Process Guide | cdpg |
| University of Central Arkansas | |
Curriculum Process: New Program Proposals
For a flowchart of the curriculum process for new program proposals, see Figure 2. Contact the Undergraduate or Graduate Dean prior to initiating new program proposals. All new program proposals follow the process outlined below. Required curriculum forms--Curriculum Form 3 is used for the new program proposal--may be downloaded from the Forms for Download page on this site.
Use the Arkansas Department of Higher Education's Criteria and Procedures for Preparing Proposals for New Programs to ensure that proposals employ a common format. Copies of the guidelines are available in the offices of Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Studies and online at the ADHE web site. Please download a copy of the P-1 or P-1D form template from the forms download page under the heading ADHE Proposal Forms. (The P-1D form is used for programs that will be delivered by distance education.)
Note: Every proposal for a new degree program must include an assessment plan. (Proposals for minor programs do not require formally reviewed assessment plans.) Review and, if necessary, continued development or revision of assessment plans for new programs takes place at departmental, college, and university levels before the proposal is forwarded to the college dean.
For guidance in preparing an assessment plan, use the online document Assessment Plan Elements; examples of existing program assessment plans are maintained in UCA's online Assessment Plan Library. An Assessment Plan Template may be downloaded from the Forms for Download page.
Step 1
A program proposal is prepared, typically by one or more faculty members, and brought before the department.
Step 2
The proposal is reviewed by the department. If recommended, it is forwarded to the dean of the college who distributes it to the college curriculum and assessment committee. If not recommended, it is returned to the proposer.
Step 3
The college curriculum and assessment committee reviews the proposal. During the college committee’s review, a proposed degree program’s assessment plan is forwarded to the university’s Academic Planning and Assessment Committee (APAC) for review of the proposed initial assessment plan. APAC approval of the initial assessment plan must be obtained before a recommendation is made by the college committee. (Note: proposals for minor programs do not require formally reviewed assessment plans.) If recommended by the college committee, the proposal is forwarded to the dean of the college. If not recommended by the college committee, it is returned to the proposer.
Step 4
If the dean does not recommend the proposal, it is returned to the proposer. If the dean recommends the proposal and it affects the teacher education program, the dean forwards it to the Professional Education Council (PEC); if the recommended proposal does not affect the teacher education program, it is forwarded to either the Undergraduate or Graduate Council or both, if appropriate.
If the proposal affects the teacher education program, the PEC reviews the proposal. If the PEC recommends the proposal, it is forwarded to either the Undergraduate or Graduate Council or both, if appropriate. If the PEC does not recommend the proposal, it is returned to the proposer.
Note: During the academic year, a proposal must be submitted to the office of the the Undergraduate and/or Graduate Dean at least one month before the meeting at which action is desired. Summer submissions may not be considered until the fall semester.
Step 5
The Undergraduate or Graduate Council reviews the proposal. If recommended, it is forwarded to the Council of Deans. If not recommended, the proposer is notified..
Step 6
If the proposal is recommended by the Council of Deans and approved by the Provost, it is forwarded to the President, the Board of Trustees, and (when required) the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). If not recommended, it is returned to the proposer.
Step 7
If the proposal is approved by the President, the Board of Trustees, and (when required) ADHE, it is forwarded to the Registrar’s office; the program is created in SIS, and new courses are incorporated into the master course file.
Figure 2: Flowchart for New Program Proposals
Return to top of page.