Regulations & Policies

Academic Affairs

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE OF POLICY

This policy establishes the processes for modifying curriculum within an existing degree program at the University of North Florida. It articulates a sequence of steps that must be followed based on the nature of the proposed modification(s). The purpose of this policy is to preserve a coherent course of study within existing programs.

II. DEFINITIONS

Degree Program – An organized curriculum leading to a degree in an area of study recognized as an academic discipline by the higher education community, as demonstrated by assignment of a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code by the National Center for Educational Statistics or as demonstrated by the existence of similar degree programs at other colleges and universities. An argument may also be made for a truly unique Degree Program, based upon emerging research trends or occupational demand. Each Degree Program shall have designated faculty effort and instructional resources and shall be assigned a CIP code and included in the State University System Academic Degree Program Inventory. Each Degree Program shall include at least one program major.

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

To ensure each Degree Program maintains a coherent course of study, curricular modifications must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate parties. Certain types of minor or technical changes can be made by the registrar at the request of the academic unit responsible for the Degree Program. Substantive modifications require more extensive review and multiple levels of approval.

IV. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

A. Minor or Technical Changes to Existing Courses

The academic unit responsible for the course may contact the Registrar’s Office directly to request the following types of changes to existing courses: 

1. Number of times a course can be repeated/repeat hours only for courses only for courses already listed as repeatable in the catalog.
2. Abbreviated Title, if the proposed title includes words already contained in the long title for the course
3. Grade Mode (e.g., change from pass/fail to grade)
4. Schedule Type/Instructional Mode
5. Grammatical changes to course description 
6. Correction of typographical errors
7. Adding information to course description to indicate the course is repeatable, course availability, or course fees
8. Registration Restrictions
9. Effective Term

The following course modifications require approval from the appropriate departmental or college-level committee/authority before the academic unit responsible for the course may contact the Registrar’s Office directly to request the following types of changes.

10. Course Attributes (e.g., Gordon Writing)

B. Minor or Technical Changes to Existing Programs of Study

The academic unit responsible for the program of study may contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness directly to request the following types of changes to an existing program of study:

1. Correction of typographical/grammatical errors
2. Changing the semester in which a course is offered, or the course sequence, if no other changes are being made to the curriculum or program requirements
3. Updates to course titles if the change was made by a different department 
4. Updates to course numbers if the change to course number was made by a different department or if a change was made to the State of Florida Course Numbering System by the Florida Department of Education
5. Updates to other non-curricular information (e.g. changing contact information of a Program Director)

C. Substantive Changes to Existing Courses or Existing Degree Programs

The academic unit responsible for the course or program of study must complete the appropriate form(s) developed by the Faculty Association’s Academic Program Committee (APC) to request a substantive change to an existing course or an existing Degree Program. A substantive change is any type of change not listed in the Minor or Technical Changes to Existing Courses or the Minor or Technical Changes to Existing Programs sections above. Proposals to add new courses to existing Degree Programs must also follow the approval process outlined below.

The form(s) appropriate for the proposed change(s) and additional required documentation must be reviewed by the following entities in the order listed below and obtain approval from each entity before proceeding to the next.

1. Department Curriculum Committee of the academic unit requesting the change(s). If no departmental committee exists, then proceed to the next step.
2. Department Faculty from the academic unit requesting the change(s).
3. Department Chair 
4. Impacted Department(s) if proposed changes impact another program or academic unit, letter of support required
5. College Curriculum Committee 
6. General Education Council if a new course is being proposed for inclusion in the General Education Program
7. College Representative on the APC
8. College Dean
9. Academic Programs Committee of the Faculty Association
10. Faculty Association Executive Committee
11. Faculty Association
12. Provost
13. President
14. Institutional Accreditation Liaison to determine if institutional accreditor needs notification and/or approval. 

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