| 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 Associate Provost for Instructional Support or the 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 Graduate School and the Office of the Provost and online at the ADHE web site. Please download a copy of the P-1: New Program form template and the P-1: New Program - Instructions document from the forms download page under the heading ADHE Proposal and Notification Forms. If the proposal is for a new option within an existing degree program or for a minor program, use ADHE form LON-3: New Option, Concentration, Emphasis, or Minor.
Note: Every proposal for a new degree program must include an assessment plan. (Proposals for minor programs do not require formally reviewed assessment plans, and new options in existing programs usually require modifications to an existing assessment plan.) Initial review and, if necessary, continued development or revision of assessment plans for new programs takes place at the departmental level before the proposal is forwarded to the department chair.
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 forwarded to the department curriculum committee. The committee requests a review of the program's assessment plan by the Director of Assessment. Following that review and any required revision, the committee reviews the proposal.
If recommended by the department committee and the chair, the proposal 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. 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 Associate Provost for Instructional Support and/or the 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, it is returned to the proposer.
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) for consideration by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB). If not recommended, it is returned to the proposer.
Step 7
If the proposal is approved by the President and (as required) the Board of Trustees and the AHECB, it is forwarded to the Registrar’s office. The program is created in Banner, and new courses are incorporated into the Banner Catalog.
Figure 2: Flowchart for New Program Proposals
Return to top of page.