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5.3 Contents
Curricula generally are originated by the
College. There must be ample justification
for the creation of new curricula based upon
the needs and opportunities of the state or
region served by the College. In determining
the curricula to be offered, the State Board
takes cognizance of the varying needs of the
communities served throughout the
Commonwealth of Virginia and the
substantiated requests of interested local
governing bodies, employers, and
individuals.
5.3.0 Review and Approval Procedures
A new or modified degree program that
includes the content in a discipline or
field not currently offered by the
institution requires approval as a new
degree program with a separate CIP code.
Curriculum changes that result in a degree
program that shares fewer than 25% of its
courses (excluding the general education
core) with an existing program require
approval of a new major. VCCS approval
is not required for new or modified
specializations. Procedures for the review and approval of
degrees, majors, specializations, diplomas,
certificates, career studies certificates,
and courses are outlined in Table 5-3. These
procedures are to be followed by all
colleges in the VCCS and information on
their implementation is available from the
Academic Services and Research Division,
VCCS System Office.
At VHCC, a faculty or staff member, student,
college committee, citizen, or
representative of a business, industry, or
agency may initiate a request for a new or
revised course or curriculum, catalog
addition, or revision. The proposal should
be submitted in writing to the appropriate
supervisor. The supervisor then shall submit
the proposed change or addition to the Vice
President of Instruction and Student
Services.
A specific timetable for the
approval/revision process is published
annually. The following chart details the
flow of the process:
|
Course, Curricula, and Catalog Review
Process |
| Mid-August |
VP of Instruction & Student
Services and Division Deans initiate course
and curricular review. |
| Early September |
Recommended deadline for
scheduling first meeting of Academic
Programs Committee and advisory committee
meetings. |
| Mid-September |
Distribution of memo alerting
faculty to catalog revision dates. |
| Mid-October |
Submission of catalog revisions
to the VP of Instruction & Student Services
office (deadline for all catalog revisions
except new curricula needing approvals of
the Academic Programs Committee and College
Board). |
| Early November |
Recommended deadline for
submitting final curricular proposals and
changes to Academic Programs Committee and
advisory committees. |
First Tuesday
November |
Deadline for submitting
curricular proposals and changes
to the College Board. |
| Third Week November |
Final deadline for catalog
revisions to Vice President of Instruction & Student Services
office of new curricula approved by the
Academic Programs Committee and College
Board. |
| Mid-January |
Administrative staff and faculty
proofread/review catalog changes. |
| February |
Final catalog goes to printer. |
| Mid-April 15 |
Receipt of new catalog. |
| Late April |
Completion of initial review of
new catalog to identify errors or omissions. |
5.3.1 Procedures for Discontinuance of
Programs page top
Procedures for the discontinuance of
degrees, majors, specializations, diplomas,
certificates, career studies certificates,
and courses are outlined in Table 5-3. These
procedures are followed by the College and
information on their implementation is
available from the Academic Services and
Research Division, VCCS, System Office.
VCCS Table 5-3 Program Review & Approval
Process
5.3.2 Review of Programs
The College reviews academic programs on
a regular basis, as mandated in
Section 8.2.1.0 of the VCCS Policy Manual.
Student learning outcomes in all degree
programs are assessed annually. All academic
programs also undergo a formal program
review every five years.
5.3.3 Course Listing in Master Course File
All courses approved for the VCCS are listed
in the Master Course File. The College uses
the approved course title, credits, and
description listed in the Master Course
File. Courses are inactivated when they have
not been offered in the System for a three
year period, or for other justifiable
causes. The System Office generates a list
of potential course in-activations every two
years during the summer, and notifies
colleges of intended in-activations to occur
one year thereafter.
5.3.4 Local Curriculum Advisory Committees
Local advisory committees are consulted for
the establishment and review of all
career/technical degree and stand-alone
certificate programs. These committees are
appointed by the College president with the
approval of the local College Board. (See
Section 2.2.4.4.)
5.3.5 Curricular Offerings page top
Approved curricular offerings are included
in the College Catalog and contain, as a
minimum, the following elements of
information:
Curriculum Description
- Curriculum title (as approved by VCCS);
- Type of award (degree, diploma, certificate, career studies certificates);
- Normal length of the curriculum (number of semesters/terms);
- Purpose and curricular objectives;
- Admission requirements;
- Special program or graduation requirements;
- Listing of required courses; and
- Total minimum credits.
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