Aug 31, 2025  
2024-2025 Student Handbook & University Policies 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Publication Home
  Academic Calendar
  Leadership/History of Life University
  The Campus/Metro Area
  General Information
  Student Support Services
  Campus Resources
  Policies & Procedures
  Registrar
  Financial Aid
  Student Accounts
  Campus Safety Department
  Athletics Department
  Honor Code & Standards of Conduct
  Student Complaint Procedures
  Student Disciplinary Process
  Academic Catalog
  University Policies
  My Portfolio
HELP
2024-2025 Student Handbook & University Policies

Course Development Policy AS.075

POLICY NUMBER: AS.075

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/27/25

APPROVAL DATE: 07/27/25

PURPOSE: To establish a structured and consistent framework for the development, approval, and evaluation of new courses, ensuring alignment with program objectives and academic standards SCOPE: This policy applies to all new courses proposed within both new and existing academic programs, involving faculty, administrators, subject matter experts, curriculum committees, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

APPROVAL AUTHORITY: President

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Academics

ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY: N/A

RECIPIENTS: N/A

PUBLICATIONS:

DEFINITIONS: 

  • Course learning outcomes (CLOs) – specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge,skills, and attitudes learners will demonstrate by the completion of a course.
  • Student learning outcomes (SLOs) – statements that capture what a student will know and be ableto do after completing an educational experience.
  • Program learning outcomes (PLOs) – student learning outcomes written to reflect the essentiallearning outcomes for a program or major.
  • Subject matter expert – an individual with deep and specialized knowledge in a particular subjector field. When defined internally, a subject matter expert is a faculty member who is selected todevelop a course and is credentialed in the respective area.

POLICY TITLE

 Course Development Policy 

POLICY STATEMENT 

New courses are developed by credentialed faculty with approval from the College Dean and/or CAO. This policy ensures alignment with program objectives and provides a rational and effective method of course research, development, and approval. The guidelines provide a mechanism for ensuring that consistent and coordinated decisions are made concerning course development and resource allocation. 

PROCEDURE(S)

 NEW COURES IN A NEW PROGRAM 

New courses in a new program follow the development schedule as outlined in the New Program Development Policy. 

 

NEW COURSE IN AN EXISTING PROGRAM 

  1. A request for a new course must always be suggested in writing using the attached form, which must also include the reason for the request. New course requests may be initiated by faculty, staff, or administration. New course requests should confirm that departmental conversations have occurred. 
  2. The new course request form is submitted to the College Dean or designee. The Dean or designee will review and respond within ten (10) University work days. 
  3. If the Dean approves, the request is submitted to the CETL Director to coordinate a curriculum committee and course development.
    • The CETL Director will confirm the course code with the Registrar’s Office. 
  4. The curriculum committee will nominate an internal subject matter expert.
    • If the program is related to currently approved programs, the Dean will approve the nominated faculty member as an internal subject matter expert for the potential new program. 
  5. If there is not an internal subject matter expert, the Dean, in conjunction with the CETL Director, will prepare a requisition to hire an contracted, credentialed external subject matter expert.
    • The Dean and CETL Director will select the subject matter experts after a review of submitted applications and an interview. Upon selection, subject matter experts will sign a commitment document that agrees to a timeframe of commitment, response time to requests, and a deliverable schedule for the curriculum package. 
  6. The CETL Director will initiate the course development in Curriculog and schedule curriculum committee to review subject matter expert submissions. 
  7. Subject matter experts are responsible for working within their committee to develop a course package, which includes:
    • Course description 
    • Course objectives 
    • Learning objectives 
    • Programmatic accreditation requirements (if applicable) 
    • Certification requirements (if applicable) 
    • Integration of 3rd party resources (if not already included as part of University contracts per program/course) 
    • Course content suggestions Discussion forum prompts 
    • Assignments 
    • Assessments 
    • Specific connectivity with other courses, whether prerequisite, co-requisite, or preferred sequencing 
  8. The SME and assigned instructional designer build a master course shell. 
  9. Curriculum committees are responsible for a learning outcomes plan and an assessment plan as part of the deliverable and approval process. 
  10. The Dean or designee will review the course to approve per course level, CLO and SLO alignment, and distribution of student deliverables throughout the course term. 
  11. The master course shell is published for instructor training. 
  12. Faculty may add supplemental resources to their course shell. Any substantive change requests to required resources, assignments, assessments, or labs, must be approved by a Lead Instructor, Assistant Dean, Dean, or designee after consultation with the appropriate curriculum committee. 
  13. A master shell will be held by CETL as a guide and resource with all required elements. 
  14. A post-launch assessment is completed after two quarters.
    • The assessment includes a faculty-led debrief with student outcomes data. 
    • The debrief must include any required revisions for underperforming course elements. 
    • The debrief is provided to the Dean and CAO for final review. 

OTHER NOTES 

N/A