University Curriculum Committee

What is the approval process and approximate timeline for the curriculum forms?

New Program Proposal/Program Change Procedures
New Degree Program
New Certificate Program
New Minor/Area of Concentration/
Track
Program Change/Program Deletion

1. The first step in the process to develop a new program is to conduct a Needs Assessment (see Curriculum Forms Guidelines for details)

1. Appendix C

The program proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Proposer
  • Department Chair
  • Dean
  • Graduate Council (if graduate program)
  • UCC

Timeline should take approximately 3 months depending on how long it takes for each group to approve program and meeting schedule of appropriate group.

2. Second step is to complete an Academic Planning Form

  • Dean
  • Provost

Timeline will depend on when the form is submitted. Proposal are due for review in the Provost's Office by the following dates:

October 1
December 1
February 1
April 1
August 1
October
December

Paper copy of completed proposal is completed and sent directly to the Provost for review and approval.

2. Second step is to complete an Academic Planning Form

If no resources are need, this step may be skipped.

  • Dean
  • Provost

Timeline will depend on when the form is submitted. Proposal are due for review in the Provost's Office by the following dates:

October 1
December 1
February 1
April 1
August 1
October 1
December 1

Paper copy of completed proposal is completed and sent directly to the Provost for review and approval.

       

3. Third step is to complete the NKU Full Program Proposal online form.

Once Academic Planning Form is approved, complete the online Full Program Proposal located on UCC website. This sends an e-mail to all UCC members, deans, and other interested parties that a new program proposal has been submitted. This also begins the review and approval process. The program proposal information will be posted on the CPE and UCC website for comments.

CPE requires all new program proposals be posted on their website for 6 weeks. The Office of Curriculum, Accreditation, and Assessment will post the proposal on the CPE website once a signed copy of the Academic Planning Form is received.

UCC requires that the proposal be posted on the website for 4 weeks for comments prior to any vote on the proposed new program.

The program proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Teacher Education Committee Chair (if education program)
  • Dean
  • Graduate Council (if graduate program)
  • UCC
  • Faculty Senate
  • Provost
  • President
  • Board of Regents

Timeline could take anywhere from 6 months to more than a year depending on meeting schedule of appropriate group and how long it takes for each group to review and approve program.

If proposed program is outside the approved program band, the approval process requires one additional step - approval by Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

A CPE Full Program Proposal must be completed and sent to CPE for review and approval. This could take up to six months depending on CPE meeting schedule. The proposal should be completed and ready for submission to CPE by the time the program is approved the the NKU Board of Regents. The Office of Curriculum, Accreditation, and Assessment will coordinate the process.

 3. Third step is to complete the online Certificate Program Proposal form

The program proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • Graduate Council (if graduate program)
  • UCC
  • Faculty Senate
  • Provost
  • President
  • Board of Regents

Timeline could take anywhere from 6 months to more than a year depending on how long it takes for each group to approve program and meeting schedule of appropriate group.

Notification is required for all new certificate programs to the following:

  • KCTCS (if associate degree courses)
  • CPE (to include in approved program inventory.

3. Complete the Appendix C online form

The program proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:
  • Department Chair
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • Graduate Council (if graduate program)
  • UCC
  • Faculty Senate
  • Provost

Timeline could take anywhere from 6 months to more than a year depending on how long it takes for each group to approve program and meeting schedule of appropriate group.

 
     
New Course/Course Change Procedures
New Course
New General Education Course
Course Change/Deletion
New Experimental Course
 
Complete an Appendix H 

UCC requires that the proposal be posted for 2 weeks for comments prior to any vote on the proposed new course.

The course proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • Teacher Education Committee Chair (if education program)
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • Graduate Council (if graduate course)
  • UCC
  • Faculty Senate

Timeline could take anywhere from 2 months to 6 months depending on meeting schedule of appropriate group and how long it takes for each group to review and approve course.

Complete an
Appendix G

UCC requires that the proposal be posted for 2 weeks for comments prior to any vote on the proposed new course.

The course proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • Teacher Education Committee Chair (if education program)
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • General Education Subcommittee
  • UCC
  • Faculty Senate

Timeline could take anywhere from 2 months to 6 months depending on meeting schedule of appropriate group and how long it takes for each group to review and approve course.

Complete an Appendix K or Appendix M (used for the same (limited to two) changes to multiple course in one discipline)

UCC requires that the proposal be posted for 2 weeks for comments prior to any vote on the proposed new course.

The course proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • Teacher Education Committee Chair (if education program)
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • General Education Subcommittee (if general education course)
  • Graduate Council (if graduate course)
  • UCC

Timeline could take anywhere from 2 months to 6 months depending on meeting schedule of appropriate group and how long it takes for each group to review and approve course.

Complete an
Appendix L

UCC requires that the proposal be posted for 2 weeks for comments prior to any vote on the proposed new course.

The course proposal must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Department Chair
  • Teacher Education Committee Chair (if education program)
  • College Curriculum Committee
  • Dean
  • UCC Experimental Subcommittee

Timeline could take anywhere from 2 months to 6 months depending on meeting schedule of appropriate group and how long it takes for each group to review and approve course.

Experimental courses can only be offered for two semesters before an Appendix H form needs to be completed.