Academic Proposals

Curriculum Innovation Center

Academic Proposals Overview 

Academic Proposals Approval Track:  See the Academic Approvals Matrix for each proposal's approval process and the THEC notification schedule. 

Course Proposals

  • Course Number Information
    Enter the appropriate number for the level of the course. Check Banner form SCACRSE for unused numbers. The course numbers 4XX7/5XX7 are used for a course taught by a Graduate faculty for both Undergraduate and Graduate students. The course numbers 1001 2002, 3003, and 4004 are used by Admissions for transfer work. The following course numbers are used strictly for Summer Entrepreneurial courses: 1956, 2956, 3956, 4956, and 5956. Special Topics are usually numbered 495X, 595X, and if dual listed 4957/5957. Internships/Coop is numbered 4989/5989. 5960 is used for Thesis and 5990 for Read and Research. 5019 is used for Supervised Teaching, 5029 for Supervised Research, and 5039 for Supervised Administration.
  • Establish New Course Rubric

    *Rubric changes should only be initiated by the Department Chair or unit leader.*

    Revisions of course rubrics may have unintended consequences; therefore approval of requests for changes in course rubrics will only occur when there is a compelling need.

    Rubric Changes affect:
    ·         Registration: Course prerequisites, Course equivalencies, Course repeats
    ·         Advising
    ·         Catalog of Record
    ·         Admissions Office: Transfer pathways, Articulation agreements, Transfer equivalencies
    ·         Other Programs of Study that may use these courses
    ·         Institutional Research: IR staff produce a number of annual reports of interest to administrators, faculty and staff, such as the Credits Produced Report, the Instructional Profile, and the ETSU Fact Book. Changes in course rubrics complicate these reports, which must show data associated with the old rubrics and the new ones. 

  • Propose New Course
    The form requires course identifiers (e.g., rubric and catalog description) and content requirements (e.g., learning outcomes and assignments). The content requirements are reviewed significantly during department, library, college, and university reviews. For a successful review the catalog description, topics, and learning outcomes are considered integrated information and must correspond to and reflect each other. Please consult the ETSU Policy on Definition of Credit as it identifies the importance of establishing and reviewing course credits.
  • Revise Course: Editorial Change (minor)

    This form is for minor editorial changes that do not substantively modify the course.

    Three approvals are necessary for this action: department chair, appropriate deans, and office of the provost. If the changes are simply editorial and approved by the chair, the process is quick. If the requested changes are substantive, the faculty member will be asked to delete the Revise Course: Editorial Change (minor) and submit a Revise Course: Substantive Change (major) proposal.

  • Revise Course: Substantive Modification (major)
    This form is to propose a major modification of an existing course by updating or substantially changing the content. Items that signal use of the Substantial Modification form are change in credits and significantly different catalog description or content. Because a course is substantially modified, both syllabus information and an Impact Report are required to determine if changes affect other programs. 
  • Propose Entrepreneurial Course

    This form is to propose an entrepreneurial, self-supporting course. These fee-based special topics courses are offered only during summer and winter sessions. They do not appear in the catalog and may not be substituted as a required course in a program of study. 

    Entrepreneurial courses may be offered up to three times collectively during summer or winter sessions, and they must not duplicate permanent ETSU courses (offered by any department) in content or purpose. For faculty who wish to offer an approved course for a second or third time, resubmitting the online course proposal is not required.

    The opportunity to develop such courses invites innovation and creativity regarding the enrichment of the summer and winter sessions. The course should be designed to appeal to specific audiences, attract new students, and open new markets for programming sponsored by the department.

  • Propose Experimental Course

    This form is to propose an experimental course that may in the future be used for a major or minor or as an elective. An experimental course may be offered experimentally twice to assess student interest, demand, course appropriateness, and viability. Experimental courses are temporary and active only for an approved semester. They do not appear in the catalog and may not be substituted as a required course in a program of study.

    An experimental course cannot be "rolled over" to a subsequent semester. A second offering does not need a formal proposal but rather a written request to the vice provost for academic affairs requesting approval. 

    After one or two offerings, the faculty of the department should assess the course's viability for permanency. With a positive assessment of the experimental course for future offerings, the department should originate a New Course Proposal. Approvals to offer an experimental course more than two times will be granted only under unusual circumstance.

    This proposal is reviewed by the department chair, library, dean(s), and offices of the provost and registrar. Experimental courses are not reviewed by college or university curriculum committees and may not be substituted for a required course.

  • Propose Independent Study Course

    Contact Stacie Hill, Assistant Registrar. (hillsr1@etsu.edu)

  • Propose Special Topics Course

    Contact Stacie Hill, Assistant Registrar. (hillsr1@etsu.edu) 

  • Inactivate Current Course

    Courses projected to no longer be offered may be permanently inactivated in the course inventory, and therefore not available for scheduling. These course numbers cannot be reused. The offering department must ensure that there is no impact on students finishing an old program of study or other programs, including those from other departments. 

    An inactivation of a 4xx7/5xx7 course must have both numbers in the proposal. List both numbers in the "Number" field and the "Dual-listed Number" field. 

    This form is not used for removing a course as a requirement or elective for a program of study. If this inactivation affects a program of study, a curriculum change proposal must be entered and considered prior to approval of the course inactivation. This rule applies also for courses used by other departments. For instance, if Department A offers a course that is required by Departments A and B and both chairs agree to the removal of the course from inventory, both departments will have to submit curriculum change proposals.

    The approval by the department chair means he/she has verified that the proposed inactivation of a course will not adversely affect any programs of study offered by any department on campus.

  • Reactivate Course

    Courses may be reactivated in the course inventory, and therefore be available for scheduling.

    This form is not used for added a course as a requirement or elective for a program of study. If this reactivation affects a program of study, a curriculum change proposal must be entered and considered prior to approval of the course reactivation. This rule applies also for courses used by other departments.

 

Program Proposals

  • Revise Curriculum: Non-Substantive

    A non-substantive curriculum revision does not impact total credits in a degree or certificate. If total credits are impacted complete the Substantive Revision form.

    Undergraduate: Minor content revisions that affect fewer than 18 credits, such as adding and deleting courses.

    Graduate: Minor content revisions that do not change total program credits.

    This proposal is reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, appropriate deans, and college and university curriculum committees.

  • Revise Curriculum: Substantive

    A substantive curriculum revision may impact the total credits in a degree or certificate.

    Which may include:

    • changing a core

    • changing or adding a concentration

    • updating the total program

    • changing the number of credits for the overall program.


    Substantive revisions are reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, college curriculum committee, deans, university-level curriculum committee, Academic Council, and the ETSU President.

  • Revise Advisor Approved Electives

    This form is used to update the Advisor Approved Elective section of your curriculum only.  The information provided will be used to update the Catalog and Degree Works. Implementation of these changes will always occur for the newest catalog. Forms must be completed prior to February 15.

    Actions allowed: You may add or delete existing ETSU courses from the list of advisor approved electives.

    Not allowed
    ·         Changing the number of credits required in the advisor approved section requires a different form. (non-substantive or substantive curriculum revision)
    ·         Experimental or Entrepreneurial courses may not be included as Advisor Approved Electives.

    This proposal is reviewed by the department chair, catalog and Degree Works level. 

  • Academic Program Consolidation

    This form is used to propose an academic program consolidation of existing undergraduate or graduate programs. If consolidations includes other department or colleges, letter of support are required.

    Academic program consolidations are reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, college curriculum committee, deans, university-level curriculum committee, Academic Council, and the ETSU President.

  • Academic Program Modification

    This form is used to propose an academic program modification, requiring approval from THEC. Modifications are limited to the following.

    1.    Change or add a program degree designation when this change does involve a significant curriculum shift in redefining the program’s purpose (e.g., B.A. to B.F.A; M.A. to M.F.A.; Ed.D. to Ph.D.) or a change of degree designation for an existing academic program or concentration per recommendation of a disciplinary accreditation body. These requested modifications may be subject to external review.

    2.    Establish a free-standing academic program from an existing concentration with a steady enrollment and degrees awarded within both the degree designation and all concentrations under that degree for a period of the last three years. This program modification may be considered only if the establishment of the concentration as a free-standing academic program does not compromise the remaining academic program and does not require new faculty resources.

    THEC may add, in some circumstances, other criteria based on THEC evaluation. 

  • Change Program of Study Credits for Thesis or Dissertation

    This form is used when total program credits are increased to accommodate variable credits for a thesis or dissertation in order to meet Federal Financial Aid Eligibility and comply with Course in Program of Study (CPoS) requirements. Programs are increasing Thesis/Dissertation credits to more accurately reflect the number of credit hours needed to complete research and to be eligible for financial aid.  

    Identify the Fall term that the credit change should be implemented. Changes must have final approval by February 15 for an upcoming catalog. If not, the changed credits cannot be presented in the catalog until the next catalog.

  • Establish Minor
    A department may establish an 18-23 credit minor with approvals by a department chair, college curriculum committee, college dean, undergraduate curriculum committee, Academic Council, and the ETSU President. THEC approval is not required. 
  • Revise Academic Minor

    This form is used for the revision of an academic minor regardless of affected credits.

    This proposal is reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, appropriate deans, and college and university curriculum committees.

  • Letter of Notification for New Degree

    This form is used to propose approval to develop a new academic program which will be placed on THEC site for public comment. After public comment, THEC will take one of four actions:

    ·         Approval
    ·         Disapproval
    ·         Conditional Approval (reserved for academic programs for which the need is temporary; conditional approvals will identify a date that the academic program must be terminated).
    ·         Deferral

    Once THEC has approved the Letter of Intent, the New Academic Program Proposal is developed. 

    The letter of notification must be approved by the library, department chair, dean(s), Academic Council, the ETSU President, the ETSU Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

  • Expedited Letter of Notification for New Degree

    An Expedited Letter of Notification (ELON) must be submitted to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to develop new high demand academic programs with a minimum of 24 semester credit hours as outlined in THEC Policy A1.6 Expedited Academic Programs: Approval Process. Items to be included in the ELON should follow the structure of the checklist provided and must include a letter from the appropriate President or Chancellor signifying support for development of the proposed program

  • New Academic Program- NAPP (Degree or Certificate - 24 credits or more)

    The submission of a Letter of Notification (LON) and New Academic Program Proposal (NAPP) must be in a paginated document with a table of contents and submitted as a PDF file. The document, accessed through the Curriculog website contains the specific items required by THEC in the LON and NAPP.

    The steps to establish a new academic degree program or certificate in excess of 24 semester credits include the following:
    ·         Letter of Notification (LON)
    ·         THEC Evaluation of the LON
    ·         New Academic Program Proposal (NAPP) – see required document below
    ·         External Judgment (Reviewers selected by THEC)
    ·         Post-External Judgment (Response by THEC regarding reviewer’s report)
    ·         ETSU Board of Trustees Support
    ·         THEC Action

    Please consult with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for assistance through the process.

  • Expedited New Academic Program- NAPP (Degree of Certificate - 24 credits or more)

    The submission of an Expedited Letter of Notification (ELON) and Expedited New Academic Program Proposal (ENAPP) must be in a paginated document with a table of contents and submitted as a PDF file. The document, accessed through the Curriculog website contains the specific items required by THEC in the ELON and ENAPP.

    The steps to establish an expedited new academic degree program or certificate in excess of 24 semester credits include the following:
    ·         Letter of Notification (LON)
    ·         THEC Evaluation of the LON
    ·         New Academic Program Proposal (NAPP) – see required document below
    ·         External Judgment (Reviewers selected by THEC)
    ·         Post-External Judgment (Response by THEC regarding reviewer’s report)
    ·         ETSU Board of Trustees Support
    ·         THEC Action

    Please consult with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for assistance through the process

  • Establish New Certificate 9-23 Credits
    ETSU may establish a 9-23 credit certificate with approvals by a department, college curriculum committee, dean(s), university-level curriculum committees, Academic Council, and the ETSU president. THEC approval is not required. 
  • Establish New Concentration in an Existing Program

    A new concentration can be added as an additional concentrations or as a one new to a degree program if the major core is not affected.

    If a core is affected, include the concentration as a part of the substantial revision of program proposal. 

    Once approved, the concentration will be included in the THEC Academic Program Inventory. 

  • Inactivate or Reactivate Existing Academic Program or Concentration 

    Occasionally, an academic department or college wishes to evaluate the viability of a degree or concentration – a decision to terminate has not been made. In order to curtail any student enrollment, the program needs to be inactivated. Plans for currently enrolled students to complete the requirements must be prepared. The Department Chair, College Dean, Graduate Dean (if appropriate) and Academic Affairs approves the program or concentration inactivation or reactivation proposal. THEC is notified of these actions. 

    Inactivate - If inactivating an academic program, all concentrations will automatically be inactivated.

    Inactive programs/concentrations will automatically be terminated 3 years from the effect date and removed from the academic program inventory unless THEC receives notification of the intent to reactivate the program prior to three years from the effect date. 

    Reactivate – If reactivating an academic program, all concentrations will automatically be reactivated. Requests for reactivations must be received by THEC less than three years from the prior inactivation date.

  • Establish Articulation Agreement
    This form is for creation of Articulation Agreements between two ETSU degree programs or between ETSU and a program associated with another institution.
  • Revise Articulation Agreement

    This form is for revisions of articulated agreements.

    This proposal is reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, appropriate deans, college and university curriculum committees, and Academic Council. 

  • Establish Program Policy
    Academic Council and the ETSU President must approve all related program-related admission to graduation policies for undergraduate and graduate students. This proposal is reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, dean(s), and college and university curriculum committees prior to Academic Council approval. 
  • Revise Program Policy
    Academic Council and the ETSU President must approve all related program-related admission to graduation policies for undergraduate and graduate students. This proposal is reviewed by the Shadow Team and approved by the department chair, dean(s), and college and university curriculum committees prior to Academic Council and President review.
  • Terminate Academic Program or Concentration

    This proposal is to eliminate a degree, concentration, certificate, or minor program that is no longer viable. Termination of a program is indicated when there is insufficient enrollment or graduates. 

    Graduates per degree program are reported to THEC annually. Each degree program is expected to meet the established productivity benchmark. The THEC productivity benchmark is the average number of degrees awarded per each five-year period: ten (10) graduates for baccalaureate programs, five (5) for graduate programs, and three (3) for doctoral programs. When a benchmark is not met, the program is placed on a Low-Producing Program list and ETSU has to justify continuing the program. Only degree programs need to be compliant with these standards.


Other

  • Change Name/Title of Academic Program or Concentration
    This proposal is to rename a program or concentration to reflect better the current content emphasis or update the language used in the discipline.
  • Change Instructional Delivery Mode
    Descriptions below refer only to the way the actual instructional contact hours each week are delivered. Using technology for some homework assignments or using technology in a face-to-face class is not counted toward the amount of direct instruction delivered using technology.
  • Establish Academic Unit: Center or Institute
    Centers and Institutes are important components of the academic, research, and service mission of East Tennessee State University. Generally an institute has a broader scope than a center. The proposal contents parallel the THEC requirements to establish academic units.
  • Establish Academic Unit: Academic Department or Division
    A Department is an instructional unit encompassing a discrete branch of study or organized around common and similar academic areas; it is usually administered by a department chair. A Division is an instructional unit that usually includes two or more departments within a college or university; it may be administered by an assistant or associate dean.
  • Establish Academic Unit: College or School
    A College or School is an instructional unit within a university that usually includes several academic departments and is usually administered by a dean or director.