Propose changes to L&S program requirements (Major, Named Option, Certificate, Graduate Minor)

There is an annual cycle to update and revise program requirements. Most updates to requirements are routine. When programs need to make substantial changes

Overview:

Edits to programs are divided by content type, nongoverned content and governed content. Governed content refers to material that is edited through the Lumen program proposal and is approved by the department/unit. 

Governed Content:

  • Admissions/How to Get In
  • Requirements
  • Accreditation
  • Licensure/Certification
  • Policy
  • Learning Outcomes

This content can be updated once a year for the Fall semester publication of Guide. Please see L&S Annual Fall Guide Revisions for additional details.

Campus also has a spring (mid cycle) publication that allows for edits of egregious errors that fall into defined categories.  See Submitting Program Changes for L&S Mid-Cycle Guide Update for additional details.

For information on creating new majors, certificates, doctoral minors, or graduate degrees, please see L&S Academic Planning: New Majors, Certificates, and Formally Transcripted Options

Types of Changes

Undergraduate programs: Minor Changes

Minor changes include the addition or deletion of courses from course lists; small text edits, formatting edits, and clarifications. These corrections typically do not require L&S Curriculum Committee review and receive expedited L&S administrative approval.

Undergraduate programs: Substantial Changes

The L&S Curriculum Committee reviews substantial edits. Examples of substantial changes include:

    • Increasing of decreasing the number of minimum credits required.
    • Editing "How to Get In Requirements" such as the required GPA.
    • Course changes that may affect the flow of resources between departments.
    • Renaming a program.
    • Substantive changes to learning outcomes.
    • Other substantial changes to the program. 

Graduate programs: Minor changes

Minor changes receive expedited L&S and Graduate Faculty Executive Committee (GFEC) approval. Some examples include:

    • Small edits to admissions requirements such as adjusting the GRE requirement, number of letters required, or application deadline.
    • Corrections of errors.
    • Adding/removing courses from course lists.
    • Minor text edits.

Graduate Programs: Substantive changes

Substantive edits are reviewed by the L&S Curriculum Committee, L&S Academic Planning Council, and/or (GFEC). Examples of substantive changes include:

    • Increasing or decreasing the number of minimum credits required.
    • Extensive changes to the curriculum and required courses.
    • Renaming the program.
    • Substantive changes to learning outcomes,.
    • Edits to the admissions process that have a strong impact.
    • Other substantial edits to curriculum, admissions, policy, or accreditation/licensure.

How to request changes to program requirements

Review process

The L&S adminstrative review process focuses on the following:
  • Revisions are consistent with L&S degree requirements, and the Graduate School (when applicable);
  • Revisions align with campus policy and practice;
  • Changes that affect other departments are communicated to those departments and this is documented; and
  • All interested, motivated and capable students can successfully complete the requirements.
The L&S Curriculum Committee, academic planning team, and Student Academic Affairs-Academic Information Management teams collaborate with departments in considering the impact of proposed curricular changes. They can also suggest or help develop equitable solutions for anticipated problems. Notification of program changes will be forwarded, if appropriate, to the L&S Academic Planning Council. Any changes that have implications for other schools and colleges or the Graduate School will be communicated to them.

Governance approval:

Changes to requirements may be proposed by faculty committees or staff in these units responsible for oversight for the academic program. Changes must be approved by:
  • appropriate faculty committees/faculty in the department/program.
  • L&S administration.
  • When changes are more substantial, the following bodies may review:
    • L&S Curriculum Committee. 
    • L&S Academic Planning Council
    • Graduate School
    • University Academic Planning Council
  • Contact the L&S Academic Planning Team if you would like to know the potential governance path for specific edits.

Implementation of Changes

Substantial changes to programs are only approved for Fall semesters. See the L&S deadlines: L&S Deadlines for Course and Program Changes Approved changes will be published in Guide in early June for the upcoming Fall semester. 
Undergraduate Programs: DARS will be updated as part of the Lumen Programs proposal workflow. Changes will be effective for the effective term in the approved Lumen Programs proposal form.

L&S Academic Planning Team Contacts:

Kim Grocholski, Assistant Dean for Academic Planning

See Also


Keywords:
curriculum, program, changes, Lumen, courses, DARS, requirements, 
Doc ID:
20013
Owned by:
Kimberly G. in L&S KB
Created:
2011-08-26
Updated:
2026-07-28
Sites:
L&S KB
Policy and procedures for administering programs and units in, and advancing the mission of, L&S. This section covers a wide range of topics, from creating new courses and programs to administering TA budgets and developing for-credit outreach initiatives.