McNeese State University > Institutional Research and Effectiveness > Curriculum and Course Development Procedures

Curriculum and Course Development Procedures

McNeese State University recognizes the importance of shared governance in matters related to the development, evaluation, and revision of academic programs. Faculty-led creation, approval, and assessment of academic offerings ensure that programs include appropriate coursework reflective of current disciplinary knowledge. Administrative approval affirms that academic programs align with the University’s mission, respond to student and employer demand, and are supported by the institutional structure and resources necessary to ensure program quality.

The procedures below are derived from the Curriculum and Course Development Policy and facilitated by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE).

Procedures for Academic Program Proposals

New Curriculum

  1. A Curriculum New proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog) with the following attachments, if applicable:
    1. If a new degree or certificate program that has been approved through the academic planning process explained above, a Louisiana Board of Regents Degree Program Proposal Form; and/or
    2. If a new concentration under an existing program that will be provided via distance learning and the program has not previously been approved to be offered via distance learning, a Louisiana Board of Regents Distance Education Request Form (without signatures).
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    2. Dean
    3. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    4. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council
    5. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. If a new minor or concentration being offered face-to-face or via distance learning (only when its corresponding major has previously been approved to be offered via distance learning), the approved program will be added to the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.
  4. If a new concentration being provided via distance learning (when its corresponding major has not previously been approved to be offered via distance learning), new major, or new certificate, the additional steps to approval are as follows:
    1. University of Louisiana System
    2. Louisiana Department of Education Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (if an education program)
    3. Louisiana Board of Regents
  5. If SACSCOC approval is required (see Substantive Change Reporting for SACSCOC Compliance policy), the approved program may be added to the Academic Catalog (with a statement indicating SACSCOC approval is pending), Banner, and Degree Works, and the appropriate documentation will be submitted to SACSCOC.
    1. Students applying to programs requiring SACSCOC approval may not be accepted until that approval is received.

Curriculum Alteration

  1. A Curriculum Alteration proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog) with the following attachment, if applicable:
    1. If an alteration to provide an existing program via distance learning and the program has not previously been approved to be offered via distance learning, a Louisiana Board of Regents Distance Education Request Form (without signatures).
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Originator
    2. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    3. Dean
    4. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    5. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council
    6. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. If state approval is not required (see #4), the approved program will be updated in the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.
  4. If an alteration to major or certificate name, credit hours awarded for successful completion of a program, to provide an existing program via distance learning, or to initiate programs/courses offered through contractual agreement or consortium, the additional steps to approval are as follows:
    1. University of Louisiana System
    2. Louisiana Department of Education Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (if an education program)
    3. Louisiana Board of Regents
  5. If SACSCOC approval is required (see Substantive Change Reporting for SACSCOC Compliance policy), the approved program may be added to the Academic Catalog (with a statement indicating SACSCOC approval is pending), Banner, and Degree Works, and the appropriate documentation will be submitted to SACSCOC.
    1. Students applying to programs requiring SACSCOC approval may not be accepted until that approval is received.

Curriculum Inactivation

  1. A Curriculum Inactivation proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog) with the following attachments, if applicable:
    1. If a major or certificate, Louisiana Board of Regents Request to Terminate an Academic Degree Program or Administrative/Research Unit that includes a teach-out plan explaining the provisions to ensure ample time for currently enrolled students to graduate.
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    2. Dean
    3. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    4. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and/or Graduate Council
    5. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. If only an inactivation of a concentration or minor, the approved program will be removed from the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.
  4. If a major or certificate, the additional steps to approval are as follows:
    1. University of Louisiana System
    2. Louisiana Department of Education Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (if an education program)
    3. Louisiana Board of Regents
  5. Regardless of whether SACSCOC approval is required (see Substantive Change Reporting for SACSCOC Compliance policy), the approved program may be removed from the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works, and the appropriate documentation will be submitted to SACSCOC.

Procedures for Course Proposals

New Course

  1. A Course New proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog) with the following attachment:
    1. Syllabus for the new course that meets all requirements as stated in the University Syllabus Policy.
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    2. Dean
    3. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    4. Institutional Research (required to verify CIP codes for student credit hour reporting and faculty credentialing)
    5. General Education Assessment Council (required only if a new General Education course)
    6. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council
    7. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. Once approved, the course will be added to the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.

Course Alteration

  1. A Course Alteration proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog) with the following attachment:
    1. Syllabus for the course that reflects all the alterations and meets all requirements as stated in the University Syllabus Policy.
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    2. Dean
    3. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    4. Institutional Research (required only if CIP codes for student credit hour reporting and/or faculty credentialing were altered)
    5. General Education Assessment Council (required only if General Education status is changing)
    6. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council
    7. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. Once approved, the course will be updated in the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.

Course Inactivation

  1. A Course Inactivation proposal should be launched in Modern Campus Curriculum (formerly known as Curriculog).
  2. Once the proposal has been launched, the steps to approval are as follows:
    1. Department Head (Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council representative will be notified upon approval)
    2. Dean
    3. Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
    4. General Education Assessment Council (required only if a General Education course)
    5. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or Graduate Council
    6. Academic Advisory Council (proposal automatically approved after seven calendar days have passed with no decision on this step)
  3. Once approved, the course will be inactivated in the Academic Catalog, Banner, and Degree Works.