CWUR 2-50

Undergraduate Studies

• 2-50-010 Jurisdiction for Curriculum Matters
• 2-50-040 Curriculum Change
• 2-50-060 Curriculum Rules for Implementation 
• 2-50-070 Rules for Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
• 2-50-080 Teacher Certification Programs 
• 2-50-090 Certificate Programs

CWUR 2-50-010 Jurisdiction for Curriculum Matters

(1) Changes to the general education requirements and the general education program follow the same process as any curriculum change. Final approval requires a majority vote of the faculty senate.

(2) Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Life presents new minors, specializations, and certificates as informational items to the board of trustees.

(3) Interdisciplinary programs may initiate course/program changes in collaboration with the appropriate departments. The dean or designee, and if applicable, the college curriculum committee reviews curriculum proposals before they are submitted to the FSCC for review and, if applicable, final approval by the faculty senate.

[Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 08/09/2016: Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 06/04/2014; 10/26/16; Approved by: James L. Gaudino, President]

CWUR 2-50-040 Curriculum Change

(1) Initiation of General Education Requirement Changes. Individuals proposing general education curriculum, will submit a completed general education rationale proposal through Curriculog to the general education committee (process will go through normal approvals). After the general education committee acts on the proposal and, if approved, the chair of the general education committee completes a program change proposal and submits it through Curriculog to the FSCC chair.

If a proposed addition is a new course or an existing course with changes, the initial approval for the individual course first rests with the faculty senate curriculum committee. After the course has been approved, the originating department attaches the general education rationale proposal and description of the proposed change to the general education committee. After the general education committee acts on the proposal and, if approved, the chair of the general education committee submits a general education program change proposal and submits it through Curriculog it to the FSCC chair.

The FSCC lists the general education program change in the curriculum summary log. The academic community has two weeks to respond to the curriculum summary log. Following the two weeks, the FSCC acts on the proposal, the chair adds a memo documenting curriculum committee action, and he/she sends it to the general education committee chair to be placed on the faculty senate agenda for action. The faculty senate chair then submits the faculty senate action to the provost.

(2) Timeline. 

(A) Provided that proposals do not require clarification and revision, they should proceed through the process without delay in one quarter or less. Extended time may be needed for proposals which must be reviewed by school of education executive committee, the general education committee, antiracism, diversity, and inclusivity committee, graduate council, the faculty senate, and the Board of Trustees (BOT). The originator has the responsibility to track the progress of the curriculum movement through Curriculog. Curriculum proposals should not remain in any campus office more than 15 calendar days.

(B) Proposals should follow the catalog deadlines posted by the FSCC for the next academic year.

(3) Review Process. The process must include checks for (a) consistency of course/program with department goals, (b) academic integrity, (c) clarity of student learning outcomes and assessment plans and (d) availability of sufficient funds. New degree programs are forwarded to the office of undergraduate studies for review of completeness according to NWCCU requirements. If additional information is required, the proposal will be returned to the dean. If the proposal is complete and ready to submit, the department will launch the new program through Curriculog and will follow appropriate approval steps. All curriculum proposals are forwarded to the office of the registrar. The proposals are checked for availability of course number, clarity and accuracy of course description, title, credits, cross listings, and arithmetic. If errors have been identified the proposals are returned to the originator to make corrections or additions. When appropriate, the office of the registrar send the proposal to school of education executive committee and/or to the graduate office. Upon approval by the graduate office and/or school of education executive committee, the proposal is sent to the associate provost’s office. The office of undergraduate studies prepares a curriculum summary log and/or an agenda for review by the FSCC. Once reviewed, the log/agenda is distributed electronically to the academic community before action by the FSCC and/or the faculty senate. New degree program proposals are reviewed by the board of trustees. Rejected proposals will be returned to the originator with an explanation.

(4) Creation of new prefixes. A new prefix must be approved by the FSCC and the faculty senate before any course using that prefix can be used.

(5)  Any member of the academic community can request a hold on FSCC action by submitting a completed hold petition form.

The hold petition form requires a justification for the hold, a list of the affected department(s), and written, dated proof of notification of the affected department(s) and dean(s). The form must be submitted to the academic planning office by the Monday prior to the next FSCC meeting.

The party originating the hold must notify the affected department(s) of the justification for the hold. A memo of resolution must be submitted to the FSCC within two weeks after the hold has been recorded. If a resolution has not taken place, a representative for the department(s) involved will appear before the FSCC for a decision at the next scheduled FSCC meeting.

(6) Curriculum summary logs/agendas, which are compiled in the office of undergraduate studies, will be used to notify the academic community.

(7) Items appearing on the curriculum summary log  (except those requiring approval by the faculty senate) will be approved automatically on the proposed approval date unless a completed hold petition has been received according to 2-50-040(4). The proposed approval date, assigned in the office of undergraduate studies, is the date of the FSCC meeting immediately following the day the committee first reviews the log (notification date on the log). The time between the notification date and the proposed approval date will be at least two weeks. If concerns are raised, approval may be delayed while the curriculum committee contacts the originator of the proposal and concerned departments.

(8) Emergency Approval Process. A curriculum proposal received during the summer that has been reviewed by the appropriate steps in Curriculog (e.g., school of education executive committee, graduate studies, international studies, etc.) AND has an explanation of the need for an emergency approval, will be considered by the FSCC. If the FSCC chair determines that emergency review is appropriate, the members of the FSCC will receive an email notification from the faculty senate office and the Curriculog proposal. Available committee members will review the proposal and return a vote to approve or disapprove to the faculty senate office. A minimum of three votes must be received. If the proposal is approved notification will be sent to the department and the office of the registrar. 

Emergency approvals are temporary and will expire at the conclusion of the academic year.

(9) Implementation. Curriculum changes will be implemented by registrar services as follows:

1. New programs will be implemented upon approval by the BOT and NWCCU.

2. Changes to existing programs, and general education requirements will be implemented in the fall quarter following publication in the official electronic catalog.

3. Changes to the general education program will be implemented in the fall quarter following publication in the official electronic catalog. Courses added to the program may be used by students regardless of the student’s program year, as long as the student takes the course after it is added to the general education program. Courses moved between general education components will be applied to the student’s academic requirements report based on student’s program year.

4. Individual course changes will be implemented upon approval. Once registration has begun, course changes involving prefix, number, title, credit, pre-requisites, and/or grade options will be activated the subsequent quarter unless a later period is specified.

5. New courses will be implemented upon approval by the FSCC.

6. New specializations, minors, certificates, and prefixes will be implemented upon approval by the faculty senate.

7. Curriculum policy changes shall not be applied retroactively.

8. Changes to curriculum policy and procedures shall take effect the following catalog year. The faculty senate may grant exceptions to this policy when the faculty senate determines that immediate implementation of a policy change is warranted.

[Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic Affairs; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 08/09/2016; 06/20/2023; ELT/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 10/21/2016; 4/17/2019; 11/04/2020; 03/02/2022; 08/02/2023; Approved by: A. James Wohlpart, President]

CWUR 2-50-060 Curriculum Rules for Implementation

Curriculum Rules for Implementation

CWUR 2-50-070 Rules for Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

(1) New Degree Types

(A) Originator needs to submit to the curriculum committee:

1. Degree type (B.A., B.S., M.A., etc.)

2. Degree type description

3. Justification for the new degree type

(B) New graduate degree types must go through graduate council prior to being submitted to FSCC.

(C) Degree types must be approved by faculty senate.

[Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic Affairs; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 06/20/2023; ELT/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 08/02/2023; Approved by: A. James Wohlpart, President]

CWUR 2-50-080 Teacher Certification Programs

All memorandums of understanding associated with new curriculum or revisions pertaining to CWUP 5-50-080 must be attached to the relevant course substitution or alternative program proposal in Curriculog.

[Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 04/04/2017: Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 04/19/2017; Approved by: James L. Gaudino, President] 

CWUR 2-50-090 Certificate Programs

(A) Type A. College Sponsored Certificate Programs: Primary Target Audience: Matriculating students.

Courses: A prescribed set of regular credit-bearing courses that have been developed, reviewed, and approved through CWU’s curriculum development process.

Review Process: Certificate programs in this category are required to go through the standard curriculum review process in the college and faculty senate. Programs designed for international clientele will also be reviewed by the office of international studies and programs.

Administrative Sponsor: A college within CWU is responsible for all functions associated with scheduling courses, hiring faculty, delivering instruction, and confirming completion of the certificate program. CWU’s registrar office will enroll students, issue certificates on the recommendation of the college, and maintain records as part of the matriculating students’ academic record. (Note: Individual classes in the certificate program may be offered as needed through the office of continuing education, in which case the enrollment process is handled there.)

Instructors: Full-time or adjunct faculty hired through the academic departments and colleges (or continuing education with appropriate department, college approval).

Fees: Regular tuition and fees associated with credit (or continuing education) courses.

(B) Type B. Collaborative Certificate Programs: Primary Target Audience: Matriculating and non-matriculating students may pursue collaborative certificate programs.

Courses: A prescribed set of credit-bearing courses and/or instructional experiences designed to build competency in an applied field of study. Certificate requirements may include (a) regular courses that have been developed, reviewed, and approved through CWU’s curriculum development process; and/or (b) special courses or instructional experiences designed specifically in support of the certificate program through continuing education in consultation with the appropriate college dean and academic department.

Review Process: Certificate programs in this category are required to go through the standard curriculum review process in the college and faculty senate. Programs designed for international clientele will also be reviewed by the office of international studies and programs.

Administrative Sponsor: Academic departments, consulting with college deans and faculty as appropriate, are responsible for developing curriculum, choosing appropriate faculty, and ensuring academic and instructional integrity. The office of continuing education assists as needed in these functions and in addition is responsible for marketing, registration, confirming completion of the certificate program, issuing certificates, and maintaining ongoing records.

Instructors: For regular courses, full-time or adjunct faculty hired through the academic departments and colleges are preferred as instructors. However, if full-time or adjunct faculty are unavailable, additional adjunct faculty may be hired by continuing education with approval from the appropriate department and college dean. For courses developed through continuing education, adjunct faculty hired by continuing education in consultation with the appropriate department and college dean may be employed.

Fees: Fees are determined on a course-by-course basis. Courses offered through regular CWU course offerings carry regular tuition and fees associated with credit courses. Courses offered through the office of continuing education carry fees associated with credit courses offered through continuing education.

Revenue Sharing: Revenue generated by courses in collaborative certificate programs offered through continuing education will be shared with the cosponsoring departments following the prevailing revenue-sharing formula.

(C) Type C. Continuing Education Certificate Programs: Primary Target Audience: Non-matriculating students; however, matriculating students are not precluded from participating.

Courses: A prescribed set of noncredit courses designed to build competency in an applied field of study.

Review Process: Certificate programs in this category are not required to go through the standard curriculum review process in the college or faculty senate. Instead the office of continuing education will seek input from colleges or departments as appropriate and the program will be available for review and comment for a two-week period in the provost’s office. Programs designed for international clientele will also be reviewed by the office of international studies and programs.

Administrative Sponsor: The office of continuing education is responsible for all phases of design and delivery.

Instructors: Adjunct faculty or regular faculty hired by the office of continuing education.

Fees: To be determined by length of program, direct costs, and market demand.

(D) Type D. Graduate School Certificate Programs: Primary Target Audience: Graduate students.

Courses: A prescribed set of regular credit-bearing courses that have been developed, reviewed, and approved through CWU’s curriculum development process.

Review Process: Certificate programs in this category are required to go through the standard curriculum review process in the college, graduate council and faculty senate.

Administrative Sponsors: A college within CWU is responsible for all functions associated with scheduling courses, hiring faculty, delivering instruction, and confirming completion of the certificate program. CWU’s registrar office will enroll students, issue certificates on the recommendation of the college, and maintain records as part of the students’ academic record.

Instructors: Full-time or adjunct faculty hired through the academic departments and colleges.

Fees: Regular tuition and fees associated with credit courses.

[Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 05/05/2015; Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 06/03/2015; Approved by: James L. Gaudino, President]