Description of the Program Approval Process

The Office of Curriculum & Assessment provides assistance to faculty in designing and developing new programs.

To propose a new program:

1. The Initiator
   1. Reviews the program idea with the department and division dean, and with any other departments that may be affected. Occupational programs need an advisory committee of community individuals from the industry/area to review the idea.
   2. For Preliminary Approval, the initiator checks the appropriate box and responds to the items in the Program Proposal Form in general terms, and forwards it to the Department Chair/Director.
2. The Department Chair/Director reviews, makes recommendations, approves or denies the proposal, and if approved, it is sent to the Dean.
3. The Dean/Area Administrator reviews, makes recommendations, approves or denies the proposal, and if approved, it is sent to the Vice President for Instruction.
4. The Vice President for Instruction
   1. Approves the proposal for development, or
   2. Returns for revisions, further development/research, or
   3. Returns proposal unapproved
5. The Faculty/Initiator checks the Final Approval box, and completes all sections of the Program Proposal Form in detail, using feedback from the College community.
6. The Department Chair reviews, makes recommendations, approves, or denies.
7. The Dean reviews, makes recommendation, approves, or denies.
8. The full-time faculty are informed of the proposal and invited to review documents prior to submission to the Curriculum and Assessment Committees.
9. The Curriculum and Assessment Committees reviews the program proposal and assessment plan and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Instruction.
10. The Vice President for Instruction reviews, and approves, or denies the proposal.
11. The President reviews and approves and sends the Program Proposal to the Board of Trustees for review and approval.
12. The Board of Trustees reviews, and approves, or denies the proposal.
13. The Curriculum Analyst builds the program into the curriculum database. The Curriculum & Assessment office notifies Student Services about the new program.