Curriculum Development and Approval Process

While in the process of developing new curricular requests or curricular change requests, individuals must follow the guidelines outlined below:

1. Work to ensure that the proposals are consistent with the missions of the program/department/school and college.
2. Work to ensure that proposals are reasonable in the demands they will place on physical, fiscal and human resources.
3. If the proposals have the potential to impact other programs/departments/schools or colleges, consultation with the other party must take place.
4. Work to ensure that proposals are intended for the benefit of students and the educational process of the university.
5. Work closely with department head(s), school director(s), dean(s), and Office of Academic Affairs throughout the development process. The degree of involvement will vary depending on the type of proposal (minor vs. substantive).

Department/School Curriculum Committee (highly recommended) or department/school as a whole review processes need to include:

1. Detailed review by committee of instructional faculty, the composition of which to be determined by the department/school.
2. The review body performs due diligence to address and verify the following:
   1. Consistency with university mission and strategic plan.
   2. That the discipline and/or specialized accreditation standards have been met (if applicable).
   3. The proposed course or program reflects intellectual rigor and teaching excellence.
   4. Program coherence. How does the proposed course fit into the curriculum? Does the course offer sequential or unique content? Check for redundancy.
   5. That the impact on the course and enrollment and classroom capacity can be managed.
   6. The availability of resources, including teaching personnel, space requirements and operating budget.
   7. That any cross-program or departmental/school implications have been identified, verified and resolved.

The department head/school director needs to confirm that all curricular requests have been reviewed and approved by departmental/school faculty. The department head/school director conducts a final review of any curricular requests prior to forwarding to the appropriate college dean(s) and college curriculum committee(s).

College Curriculum Committee review processes need to include:

1. Detailed review by a committee of instructional faculty, the composition of which to be determined by the college.
2. The review body performs due diligence to address the following prior to forwarding the proposal for campus-wide review:
   1. Consistency with university mission and strategic plan.
   2. The proposed course or program reflects intellectual rigor and teaching excellence. 
   3. Program coherence.  How does the proposed course fit into the curriculum?
   4. That the impact on course and enrollment and classroom capacity can be managed.
   5. The availability of resources, including teaching personnel, space restrictions and operating budget.
   6. That any cross-program or departmental/school implications have been identified, verified and resolved.

All curricular proposals shall be submitted to the college dean or associate dean for approval. The dean’s approval is based on the determination that the proposal is consistent with the strategic plan, that all resource implications have been considered carefully and that the resources are available and committed for new courses and/or programs. The dean or associate dean needs to confirm that all curricular requests have been reviewed and approved by the college curriculum committee. The dean or associate dean conducts a final review of any curricular requests prior to forwarding to the Academic Affairs Office and confirms that any consultation activities and forms are in order. Every attempt should be made to resolve any objections at the college level, if possible.

Curricular proposals received by the Office of Academic Affairs will be forwarded to the vice provost for undergraduate education and the vice provost for graduate education and extended studies. They will review for clarity, appropriateness for the university, consistency with policies and guidelines of the university and SDBOR.

Review of graduate curricular items includes:

1. Review of intent to plans, program proposals, and all substantive course and program modifications.
2. The Graduate Council is also provided updates on minor curriculum changes on a monthly basis.
3. Review of brevity, accuracy, and clarity of all narrative, concision of student expectations, and degree requirements, conformity to Board and university policy and guidelines, availability of necessary fiscal, physical, human and library resources, and qualifications of relevant faculty.

The Academic Affairs Committee is joint administration and Faculty Senate committee. This committee reviews substantive undergraduate and graduate curricular requests and is provided updates on minor curriculum modifications on a monthly basis. The focus of this level of review includes:

1. Review for fit with mission.
2. Check for completeness and accuracy.
3. Review for completeness of due diligence on cross-program/department/school/college issues and work to resolve any remaining objections.
4. Monitoring for unwarranted duplication. 

The General Education Review sub-committee of the Academic Affairs Committee manages the general education curriculum including review of courses for inclusion on the approved list and modifications/updates to goals and student learning outcomes.

The Faculty Senate conducts the final internal review of the substantive undergraduate and graduate curricular requests by a SDSU governance body. The Faculty Senate will:

1. Review for fit with mission.
2. Review for completeness and accuracy.
3. Review for completeness of due diligence on cross-program/department/school/college issues.
4. Monitor for unwarranted duplication.

The Office of the Provost and vice president for academic affairs/Office of Academic Affairs:

1. Establishes reasonable timelines for phases of curriculum processes and procedures.
2. Manages a system to track curriculum review proposals as they move through the review and approval process. 
3. Provides consultation and assistance in the preparation of curriculum requests.
4. Approves prior to posting for SDBOR system level review.
5. Works to resolve any remaining objections to proposed curriculum requests/changes.

Academic Affairs Council (AAC)

The Academic Affairs Council shall consist of the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs of each of the public universities. The Council shall be chaired by the Board of Regents System vice president for academic affairs.

The Academic Affairs Council shall, at the request of the Board, the executive director or the Council of Presidents and Superintendents, review existing or proposed courses, programs, departments, degrees, colleges or academic policies and make recommendations to the Board through the Council of Presidents and Superintendents with due regard to the quality of higher education in the state, the avoidance of duplication, and the attainment of economy and efficiency.

The Academic Affairs Council also may be tasked with the study and review of academic programs, academic standards, transfer of courses, and other matters as may be referred to it by the Board, the Executive Director, the Council of Presidents and Superintendents, or that may come to its attention from other sources. The Council shall act as an advisory group to the Board, the executive director, and the institutional Presidents.

South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR)

The SDBOR serves as the governing body of all institutions under its control, including SDSU. The South Dakota Board of Regents defines the educational missions of the public universities and special schools, plans and coordinates South Dakota’s state-supported system of public universities and special schools, approves/disapproves new academic programs, approves/disapproves new course requests, approves and disapproves substantive program and course modifications. Committee A (Academic and Student Affairs) of the SDBOR typically reviews the majority of curriculum requests prior to taking to the full SD Board of Regents.