|
    
| |
  
Revised April 1996
Second Revision April 1997
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Montana State
University--Northern
I. Introduction
A. Program
Authorizations (refer to Montana University System Policies & Procedures
Manual, Policy 313)
II. Board of Regents'
Policy for Curriculum Proposals (refer to Montana University System Policies
& Procedures Manual, Policy 303.1 )
III. Approval Process for
Curriculum Proposals (refer to Montana University System Policies &
Procedures Manual, Policy 303.1 )
The Campus (MSU--N), in accordance with Board
policy, submits detailed proposals for all curricular changes. Approval of any
curricular change is subject to campus (MSU--N) assurance that financial
support, qualified faculty, physical facilities and library holdings
sufficient to establish and maintain the program will be available within
reasonable budgetary support levels. The proposal must follow the format below
and be submitted through appropriate campus review levels to the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs of MSU--Northern.1
A. Procedures for
submitting program proposals (all post-secondary programs; degrees, majors,
and minors.)
Refer to the Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs for the procedures to submit new programs to the Board of Regents.
Program Revision Form and supporting documentation should be submitted to the
Curriculum Committee (see Appendix C).
B. Procedures for
submitting new course proposals.
1. New courses may be
developed and proposed by one or more faculty members, using the form
provided for this purpose and appearing in Appendix C of the Curriculum
Guide.
2. Steps for approval
of new course proposals.
See Appendix C for appropriate forms and
curriculum process.
C. Procedures for
revising programs and courses.
1. Program or course
revisions may be proposed in a department. Course revisions should be
presented on the form provided for this purpose and appearing in Appendix C
of the Curriculum Guide. Program revisions may also need to be submitted to
the Board of Regents. Confer with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
for program revisions that need to be submitted to the Board of Regents.
2. Steps for approval of
program or course revisions.
See Appendix C for appropriate forms
curriculum process.
D. Appeal Process
1. If a committee
(General Education Committee, Teacher Education Council, Curriculum Committee,
Academic Senate) disapproves the proposal, the originator may request that
the item be forwarded to the next body for consideration. If a committee
disapproves an item, it will provide a written rationale to the originator.
E. Procedures for
Approving Special Topics and Independent Studies Courses.
1. Special Topics courses.
a. 190,
290,390,490,590, and 690 are scheduled classes reserved for special topics
or experimental courses not listed in
the catalog. Departments which wish to experiment with new subject matter
or meet special demands will use these numbers.
b. A Special Topics
course may not be offered more than twice before being submitted as a new
course proposal.
c. Special Topics
courses will be presented on the form provided for this purpose and
appearing in Appendix D of the Curriculum Guide.2
2. Independent Studies courses
a. 199, 299, 399,
499, 599, and 699 numbers are not scheduled classes. Under the 199, 299,
399, 499, 599, or 699 numbers a student pursues independent work under the
supervision of a faculty member. Such work may be:
i. a regular
catalog course, or
ii. a course
designed to meet the special needs of an individual student.
b. Permission for
students to enroll in Independent Studies presupposes prior approval by
the supervising professor of the
project or special study to be undertaken. Such approval should be based
on a preliminary plan of its intended nature, duration, and depth.
c. Independent Studies courses will be
presented on the form provided for this purpose and appearing in Appendix
E of the Curriculum Guide3.
IV. Role of the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs
A. The Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs is responsible to the Chancellor for all curricular
matters.
B. The Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs is responsible for all academic matters, in support of
which he or she conducts studies,
investigates problems, and considers recommendations.
C. The Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs reviews all proposals forwarded by faculty and approves
them for implementation or disapproves and returns to the program or
department level.
V. Suggested
guidelines for considering programs, new courses, and revisions.
A. Programs. See Board
of Regents' policy for program guidelines (Policy 303.1). In addition, confer
with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
1. Credits shall not
exceed those listed in Appendix A.
B. Courses.
1. Is the new course
within the framework of the program, department, and college role and
scope?
2. College standards
a. Does the course
meet generally accepted accreditation standards for college-level
courses?
b. What are the
justifications for its placement as a lower division or upper division
course?
c. Are there
courses or other prerequisites for enrollment?
d. Does the
proposed course impact teacher education or any other special accredited
program?
e. What needs is
the course designed to meet: local, regional, short-term, long-term?
f. What is
the anticipated enrollment?
3. Duplication
a. What courses
offered in the department of origin are similar to this proposed course?
b. What
similar courses are offered in other departments?
c. How many courses
are now offered in the department of origin or program?
4. Resources
a. Are there
sufficient resources available or budgeted for the course (library
materials, space, laboratories,
equipment)?
b. Can the course be
staffed adequately?
i. Is qualified
staff presently available?
ii. Is it
possible to offer the course for the coming year without additional
staff?
iii. What
specific changes in the teaching of other courses may make additional
staff time available?
_________________
1See Flow Chart of Curriculum Approval Steps, Appendix B of
Curriculum Guide 2Special Topics and Independent Studies
authorization forms may be obtained from the Registrar's Office.
3Special Topics and Independent Studies authorization forms may be
obtained from the Registrar's Office.
_________________
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Program
Credits
Appendix B: Flow Chart
Appendix C: Procedural
Sequence and Accompanying Forms:
-Procedural Sequence for Curriculum Approval
-Academic Senate Submission Form
-Program Revision Form
-Course Revision Form
Appendix D: Special
Topics Authorization Form
Appendix E: Independent
Studies Authorization Form
|
