Curricular Processes

Curricular Processes 11.99.99.M0.01, provides details on the curricular approval process. The information listed below is for additional reference.

The November and December meetings of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC), Graduate Council (GC) and Core Curriculum Council (CCC) are the deadlines for curricular items to be considered for the following academic year. Curricular proposals submitted through the approval process and fully approved as indicated below will be effective the next academic year (Fall).
 
November Deadline
(November - UCC/GC/CCC, December - Faculty Senate, January - Provost/President, February/March – External Approval)
 
Curricular proposals requiring submission to external entities (i.e, THECB, SACSCOC, etc.) such as:

• New programs (degrees, certificates)
  • New courses required for the new program
• Program name changes
• Requests for distance education which include program requirement changes
• Semester credit hour program changes (including certificates exceeding the SCH threshold for reporting)

 
December Deadline
(December - UCC/GC/CCC, January - Faculty Senate, February - Provost/President)
 

• All other submissions

 
The following timelines should also be considered when submitting curricular proposals:
 

• Publication of catalogs - May
• Course Scheduling - Starts in December for Fall

For a schedule of meetings and deadlines, please visit the following websites:

• Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC)
• Graduate Council (GC)
• Core Curriculum Council (CCC)
• Faculty Senate
• Office of the Provost (external deadlines)

 

All proposals for new or changed courses/academic programs must be submitted for approval through Texas A&M University’s curricular process. Proposal types include, but are not limited to:

• courses
• curricula
• degrees
• minors
• certificates
• options, concentrations, tracks, emphases, etc.
• distance education

Following the President's signature, some proposals may also require external approval or notification to one or more of the following: Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), TAMUS Board of Regents, Texas Higher Education and Coordinating Board (THECB), and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The Office of the Provost coordinates external reporting as required.

Curricular proposals are initiated by originating departments or programs and submitted for approval/review through various levels (see example below).  Please reference University SAP 11.99.99.M0.01 for the defined process.
 

1. Department Head or Program Chair
2. College Curriculum Committee
3. College Dean
4. Curriculum Committees
   • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) and/or Graduate Council (GC)
5. Faculty Senate
6. Office of the Provost
7. President

Submission of proposals is done through the Curricular Approval Request System (CARS) available through Howdy. Additional resources are available under Course Inventory Approvals and Program Inventory Approvals.

To find the status of a curricular item, please reference the tracking charts for historical information and the Curricular Approval Request System (CARS) for proposals submitted after August 2016.  

Depending on the type of proposal, the internal approval process may take approximately one month at each level – beginning with the initiating unit and ending with the President's signature.

A proposal requiring external approval/notification can take additional months after the internal process has been completed. Once external approval/notification has been granted, the Office of the Provost notifies the the respective departments, colleges and Curricular Services.
 

Programs leading to professional licensure, regardless of modality (face to face and distance education) are subject to U.S. Department of Education Federal Regulations 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), 34 CFR 668.43 (c), and NC-SARA policies (NC-SARA Manual, Section 5.2).

These programs must disclose information regarding whether completion of the program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a state for that occupation.

To ensure Texas A&M University maintains compliance with regulations please review the Professional Licensure & Certification Requirements.