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Courses

• Build the justification for deleting, adding or changing courses on how the change will impact student learning.
• Avoid using individual faculty names in the justification section which goes to the SDBOR.
• Avoid being very specific with course descriptions which will become outdated quickly. Course descriptions are short, concise summaries that typically do not exceed 75 words.
  • Do: Address the content of the course and write descriptions using active verbs (e.g., explore, learn, develop, etc.).
  • Do not: Repeat the title of the course, layout the syllabus, use pronouns such as “we” and “you,” or rely on specialized jargon, vague phrases or clichés.
• Prerequisites can only be specific courses and cannot use any words as part of the prerequisite other than and, or.

• Verify on the SDBOR if the new course exists within the database. ������Ƶ can request to offer the same course authorized for another university. The course would become a common course.
• If the course contains a lecture and laboratory component, identify both the lecture and laboratory numbers (xxx and xxxL), credit hours, description and requisites associated with each.
• The SDBOR Enrollment Services Center assigns the short, abbreviated course title that appears on transcripts. The short title is limited to 30 characters (including spaces); meaningful but concise titles are encouraged due to space limitations in Banner.

Program Modifications

• Reference the online catalog to review the current program requirements.
• Minor and substantive program modifications need to include all program requirements on the form. In the first column list the current courses as reflected in the catalog. If a course is being removed include that course in the proposed column highlighted in yellow and use the strikeout feature to cross it off.
• Have a strong basis for the proposed change. Rationale for substantive changes include:
  • To insure the program offered aligns with (referenced) national standards.
  • To address weaknesses identified through program assessment and review.
  • To address weaknesses identified by external advisory committees, employer feedback and/or alumni/graduate surveys.
• Courses that may fulfill multiple requirements cannot have the credit hours count twice.  For example, if the course meets a college and a major requirement the hours can only be applied in one category. 
• Check the math – all credits and totals should add up.

Intent to Plan, New Minor and New Degree/Program Requests

• Answer all parts of each question. Use sub-headings within sections which ask more than one question. For example, for the Intent to Plan form, question one, three separate questions are posed. Use sub-headings of “nature of the proposed request”, “expected demand” and “need for the proposal”.
• Avoid the use of personal pronouns (“we”, “us”, “our”) in the request. Instead use “South Dakota State University”, “������Ƶ”, “the university”, “the department of …”
• Each of these types of requests must include a curriculum map outlining the student learning outcomes and where in the curriculum the outcomes are addressed.
• Include numerical data to support the request and quantify the need for the new program. A good resource is the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Include citations when applicable.

Checklist

• Have the correct ������Ƶ and SDBOR forms been used to prepare the request?
• Does the curriculum proposal reflect findings from other planning processes such as academic program reviews, student outcomes assessment, strategic planning and/or licensure, accreditation and reaccreditation requirements?
• Have the appropriate and required consultations been completed?
• Have all consultation forms been included in the curriculum request submission packet of information?
• Have any unresolved objections been identified?
• Have all budgetary needs been identified and estimated?
• For a new undergraduate or graduate program has the SDBOR , and been completed? For a new undergraduate or graduate program has the SDBOR , and been completed?
• Have the required electronic signatures been obtained for all proposals?