myCSU
Cleveland State University

Curriculum Approvals and Processes

Directions: To facilitate the approval of changes to the curriculum, including changes to current courses and programs and/or introduction of new courses or programs, please find the particular change you are interested in, select the link, and you will be guided to the exact process to follow.

FOR ALL CURRICULAR CHANGES, be sure to consider if your proposed change affects another department or departments (deleting/modifying a course that is required by another department, including a course offered in another department as part of a major or minor program, and so on). Curriculum committees oftentimes require some kind of documentation that the other department knows about the change and approves of it. Please contact Kevin Neal, Assistant University Registrar, to verify if a curricular change you are considering influences another department.


    • 1. Course Change - Undergraduate Non-GenEd
        Types of Curricular Change and Notes:

        » New, modified or deleted Non-GenEd course; changes in course title or course description; no changes to major/minor or GenEd issues involved.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » 3 - 6 weeks if no revisions are requested by an approval body

        » 6 - 12 weeks if revisions are requested by an approval body

        Approval Body Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department or School
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office        		 New or Deleted Course:
        Due by last day of Fall classes, effective Spring;
        End of 6W1 (Summer), effective Fall
        Modified or Changed Course:
        Due October 1, effective upcoming Spring;
        December 1, effective upcoming Summer;
        February 1, effective upcoming Fall


    • 2. Change in Pre-Requisites that Only Influence Sequencing

        » Changes in prerequisites that only influence sequencing of a required course (e.g., ENG 101 required for students taking HIS 101) require the following approvals.

        Approval Body Timelines / Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department or School
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office        		 March 1 for following Fall and Spring semesters.

        » Changes in prerequisites leading to additional courses in a program are considered changes in a major – see # 4 below.




    • 3. Course Change - Undergraduate GenEd
        Types of Curricular Change and Notes:

        » New or modified GenEd course; changes in course title or course description.

        » For deleted Gen Ed course ONLY, UCC does not need to approve the deletion; they only need to be notified. Gen. Ed courses cannot be deleted until the next catalog.

        Estimated Time for Approval: (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » 6 - 9 weeks if no revisions are requested by an approval body

        » 9 - 15 weeks if revisions are requested by an approval body

        Approval Body Timelines / Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department or School
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office
        4. University Curriculum Committee        		 New or Modified Course  UCC approved by:
        » October 1, effective Spring;
        » February 1, effective Fall;
        » No Summer Effective Dates


    • 4. Change In Major - Undergraduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » Modification to existing major: Change in credits required (including credits of a required course); course requirements; changes in prerequisites leading to additional courses; new, modified or deleted track, specialization or concentration in existing major.

        » A teach out plan is needed for students if a track is deleted .

        » Requirements cannot be added to an active catalog because it would violate students' catalog rights.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » 1 semester if no revisions are requested by an approval body;

        » 1.5 - 2 semesters if revisions are requested by an approval body;

        » Committees do not meet over the summer!


        Approval Body Timelines / Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department / School where program is housed
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        6. UCC recommendation sent to Steering Committee
        7. Steering Committee may ask UCC to present to Senate
        8. UCC may present to Senate        		 March 1 for following Fall and Spring semesters.
    • 5. Change In Minor / New Minor- Undergraduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » New minor or modified minor - change in credits, name or required courses

        » Requirements cannot be added to an active catalog because it would violate students' catalog rights.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » 1 - 1.5 semesters if no revisions are requested by an approval body

        » 1.5 - 2 semesters if revisions are requested by an approval body

        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department/School where program is housed
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        6. UCC recommendation sent to Steering Committee
        7. Steering Committee may ask UCC to present to Senate
        8. UCC may present to Senate        		 March 1 for following Fall and Spring semesters.
    • 6. New Major / Degree - Undergraduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » Federal Department of Education takes approximately six months to approve a program; students cannot be awarded financial aid for that program until approval.

        » Requirements cannot be added to an active catalog because this violates students' catalog rights.

        » Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval): 2 Years

        Phase 1 of 2: Ohio Board of Regents Letter of Intent
          Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        Letter of Intent 1. Department/College
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        6. Provost forwards Letter of Intent to OBOR for approval        		 If a complete proposal for this request is not submitted within one year from the date of this letter, the institution must submit another letter of intent and related fees to the Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. Expect this process to take at least one semester.
        Phase 2 of 2: Full Proposal (after Letter of Intent)
          Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        Full Proposal 1. Department/School
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. UCC
        6. Senate
        7. Provost
        8. President
        9. Board of Trustees
        10. Final OBOR
        11. Senate ( if modifications requested by OBOR)         		Faculty Senate's first approval (step #6) must be made by the last day of Fall classes to be effective the following Fall.
        This presupposes that the Board of Trustees and OBOR will approve the full proposal
        Approved by OBOR with no modifications by July 1 , implemented Fall semester
        Approved by OBOR after July 1, Spring implementation.
    • 7. New Articulation Agreement - Undergraduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » The Assistant University Registrar, Kevin Neal, must be contacted at the outset of this process.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval) :

        » No Estimation Available

        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department/School where program is housed.
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        6. Admissions and Standards Committee
        7. Admissions & Standards recommendation forwarded to Steering Committee
        8. Steering Committee may ask UCC to present to Senate
        9. UCC may present to Senate        		 No Dates Available
    • 8. Program Merger / Abolition / Suspension - Undergraduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » When merging, abolishing, or suspending a program, ALL DOCUMENTATION from the previous phase(s) must be sent to the next phase.

        Phase 1 of 4
        Written initiation by appropriate level administration or faculty. Must be sent to all of the following:
        1. Affected unit(s) or program
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office
        4. University Curriculum Committee
        5. Other relevant committees
        Must include rationale for proposed action.
        Phase 2 of 4
        Next Steps:
        1. Response from department(s) or unit(s) affected, if action is initiated by administration
        2. Recommendation from department(s), in case action initiated by faculty

        Types of Curricular change and Notes: Responses should be forwarded to those who initiated the action.
        Phase 3 of 4
        1. College Curriculum Committee (CCC) discusses proposed action with department(s) or unit(s) involved
        2. CCC holds open meetings for all concerned faculty to voice opinions
        3. CCC brings recommendations to college faculty
        4. College faculty makes recommendation to College Dean(s)

         
        Phase 4 of 4

        Final Steps:

        1. Recommendation/action by college deans to University Curriculum Committee
        2. University Curriculum Committee sends recommendation to Faculty Steering
        3. Faculty Senate sends recommendation to Provost
        4. Provost makes recommendation for action

         
    • 1. Course Change - Graduate
      • Types of Curricular Change and Notes:

        » New, modified or deleted course; changes in course title or course description;

        » Estimated Time for Approval:

        » 8 - 12 weeks if no revisions are requested by an approval body

        » 12 - 16 weeks if revisions are requested by an approval body

        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department or School
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office
        4. Graduate Council or Graduate College Dean         		New or Deleted Course:
        Due by last day of Fall classes, effective Spring;
        End of 6W1 (Summer), effective Fall
        Modified or Changed Course:
        Due October 1, effective upcoming Spring;
        December 1, effective upcoming Summer;
        February 1, effective upcoming Fall



    • 2. Change In Program - Graduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » Modifications include: Change in credits required (including credits of a required course); course requirements; new, modified or deleted track, specialization or concentration in existing program. For deleted program, a "teach out" plan for students in the program is needed for NCA. OBOR needs to be notified.

        » Requirements cannot be added to an active catalog because it would violate students' catalog rights.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » 1 - 2 semesters

        » Committees do not meet over the summer!

        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department/School where program is housed
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. Graduate Council
        6. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        7. UCC recommendation sent to Steering Committee
        8. Steering Committee may ask UCC to present to Senate
        9. UCC may present to Senate         		March 1 for following fall and spring semesters
    • 3. New Degree or Program - Graduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » The Dean should consult with the Provost early in the process to discuss alignment of resources and strategic impact.

        » For joint programs, approvals must be obtained from all departments and colleges OBOR must approve a new program prior to advertising or implementation

        » Federal Department of Education takes approximately six months to approve a program. Students cannot receive financial aid for the program until this approval.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval:

        » 2 years

        Phase 1 of 2: Program Letter of Intent (Must be approved before full proposal is presented)
        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        Letter of Intent 1. Department/College
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty & Dean
        5. Graduate Council
        6. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        7. Graduate College forwards proposal to OBOR for approval         		No Dates Available
        Phase 2 of 2: Full Proposal (after letter of Intent)
        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        Full Proposal 1. Department/School
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College & Graduate Council
        5. UCC
        6. Steering
        7. Senate
        8. Provost
        9. President
        10. Board of Trustees
        11. Final OBOR
        12. Senate ( if OBOR makes modifications)         		Faculty Senate's first approval (step #6) must be made by the last day of Fall classes to be effective the following Fall. This presupposes that the Board of Trustees and OBOR will approve the full proposal

        Approved by OBOR with no modifications by July 1, implemented Fall semester.

        Approved by OBOR after July 1, Spring implementation

        Forms for Letter of Intent and Full approval found at the OBOR website:

        Ohio Board of Regents - Regents Advisory Committee on Graduate Study

    • 4. Certificate Program - Graduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » New, modified or deleted. The highest level of approval necessary to modify a certificate is UCC for certificates under 22 credits

        » For certificates of 22 credits or more OBOR approval is needed or deleted certificate a "teach out" plan for students in the certificate track is needed.

        » Requirements cannot be added to an active catalog because it violates students' catalog rights

        Estimated Time for Approval:

        » 8 - 12 weeks if no revisions are requested by an approval body

        » 12 - 16 weeks if revisions are requested by an approval body


        Approval Body Timelines / Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. All Departments or Schools Involved
        2. College Curriculum Committee where certificate is housed; other colleges must submit written permission to use their courses to fulfill certificate requirements
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College where certificate is housed
        5. Graduate Council
        6. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        7. Senate (New or deleted certificate only)
        8. OBOR (for certificates with 22 hours or more).         		New Certificate:
        Final approval by July 1, implemented Fall.
        Final approval after July 1, Spring implementation.
        Modified or Deleted Certificate:
        Approvals by March 1 for following Fall.
    • 5. New Articulation Agreement - Graduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » The Assistant Registrar, Kevin Neal, should be contacted at the beginning of the process.

        Estimated Time for Approval (from beginning of process to final approval):

        » No Estimation Available

        Approval Body Timelines/Deadlines to notify the Office of the University Registrar of the approval from the final approval body
        1. Department/School where program is housed
        2. College Curriculum Committee where program is housed
        3. Dean's Office
        4. College Faculty
        5. Graduate Council
        6. University Curriculum Committee (UCC)
        7. Admissions and Standards Committee
        8. Admissions & Standards recommendation forwarded to Steering Committee
        9. Steering Committee may ask Admissions & Standards to present to Senate
        10. UCC may present to Senate
        11. Provost         		No dates available


    • 6. Program Merger / Abolition / Suspension - Graduate
        Types of Curricular change and Notes:

        » When merging, abolishing, or suspending a program, ALL DOCUMENTATION from the previous phase(s) must be sent to the next phase.

        Phase 1 of 4
        1. Written initiation by appropriate level administration or faculty. Must be sent to all of the following:
        1. Affected unit(s) or program
        2. College Curriculum Committee
        3. Dean's Office
        4. University Curriculum Committee
        5. Graduate Council
        6. Other relevant committees.
        Must include rationale for proposed action.
        Phase 2 of 4
        Next Steps:
        1. Response from department(s) or unit(s) affected, if action is initiated by administration
        2. Recommendation from department(s), in case action initiated by faculty
        Types of Curricular change and Notes: Responses should be forwarded to those who initiated the action.
        Phase 3 of 4
        1. College Curriculum Committee (CCC) discusses proposed action with department(s) or unit(s) involved including Graduate Council
        2. CCC holds open meetings for all concerned faculty to voice opinions
        3. CCC brings recommendations to college faculty
        4. College faculty makes recommendation to College Dean(s)
        Phase 4 of 4
        Final Steps:
        1. Recommendation/action by college deans to University Curriculum Committee
        2. Recommendation by Graduate Council
        3. Recommendation by graduate Dean
        4. University Curriculum Committee sends recommendation to Faculty Steering
        5. Faculty Steering sends recommendation to Faculty Senate.
        6. Faculty Senate sends recommendation to Provost
        7. Provost makes recommendation for action
Crucial Considerations!

Click here for further explanation
» Notify the University Registrar after receipt of final approvals.
» Notify the Undergraduate Catalog Editor after receipt of final approvals for BRAND NEW programs, minors, certificates, etc. only.
» Keep documentation of the changes to update the Undergraduate Catalog.
» Curricular modification restrictions are a result of student enrollment periods.
» Be patient with the approval process timeframe.
» Be aware that Curriculum Committees DO NOT MEET over the summer.
» Description of student catalog rights

Throughout the construction of this curriculum approvals and processes website, we consulted with numerous individuals across the university, but we realize this website is a work-in-progress. Please contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or proposed revisions.

View Forms Page

engaged learning
Mailing Address
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, MC 107A
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Campus Location
Dr Peter Meiskins
Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
2121 Euclid Avenue, MC 107A
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Phone: 216.875.9732
p.meiskins@csuohio.edu



This site contains files that require the free Adobe Reader to view.


© 2013 Cleveland State University | 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214 | 216.687.2000

Affirmative Action | Diversity | Employment | Tobacco Free