Authors

Kean University

Document Type

University Document

Publication Title

University Curriculum Committee Manual

Abstract

UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE PROCEDURES MANUALRevised May 2017

The Kean University Curriculum Procedures Manual is designed as a guide for Departments/ Programs/Schools and their faculty members wishing to develop, revise, and/or discontinue courses and programs. Approved by the Kean University Senate, it contains detailed information about the correct processes for requesting such curriculum changes and the required format for each type of proposal.

The School/Department/Program representative(s) interested in proposing any one of these curricular changes should first read the relevant section of the manual carefully and consult with appropriate deans, other relevant offices and the chairs of the curriculum committees involved in the approval process. Curriculum change proposals will be carefully processed according to the procedures outlined in this manual.

In order to smooth the path from start to finish, author(s) of a proposal should adhere closely to guidelines, focusing on the format of the document as it is spelled out in the manual. Here again, consultation with those who will be reviewing the proposal (chairs of relevant committees and, in the case of new programs, the Office of the Provost) is essential, especially if it reflects Middle States Commission approvals or statewide mandates or requirements, which are subject to annual change. As defined by N.J.S.A. 18A, the New Jersey Presidents’ Council (NJPC) has the responsibility to review new academic programs. To oversee creation of new curricula and certain curriculum changes, the NJPC created the Academic Issues Committee (AIC). The 2015-2016 Academic Issues Committee Manual is sited throughout this manual; however, document author(s) are expected to consult with the most updated version of the AIC Manual as found on the University Senate website.

An essential part of this program document is the transmittal form. All signatures reflecting action on the document in question must be secured at each stage of approval. The appropriate transmittal form, complete with required signatures, must accompany every proposal.

It is difficult to predetermine the time frame needed to process a proposal since the length of the process is dependent on numerous variables (e.g., the meeting schedules of committees, the number of proposals already on those committees’ respective agendas, and the number of different levels through which the document is required to proceed prior to implementation). Individuals or departments proposing new programs should note that proposals often take one to two years to move from preliminary action by the department curriculum committee(s), to final affirmation by the New Jersey Presidents Council, to initial enrollment of students in the program’s first year.

This edition of the manual has been updated not only to reflect curricular changes that have taken place since the previous edition published in 2009, but to simplify, where possible, the requirements of the approval process itself. Lest the guidelines outlined here appear burdensome or excessively bureaucratic, it may be helpful to remember that they reflect university policies designed to maintain both excellence and consistency across the institution and also to ensure thorough curricular communication between, within, and

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among Schools/Programs/Departments, the University Senate, elected Senate committees, and a variety of administrative offices. Excellence, consistency, and thoughtful communication are, of course, in the best interests not just of the faculty members responsible for these programs and/or courses, but of the students who will be enrolled in them. The committee members responsible for this document hope that the guidelines contained herein will help everyone using it to achieve all three.

Publication Date

2021

Item Number

208

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