IN 8.01pr - Approval and Review of College Curriculum, Degrees, and Certificates : Procedure

1. Certificates, associate degrees, and secondary awards: Statutory authority for community and technical colleges to offer certificates and degrees can be found in RCW 28B.50.020. The requirements for degrees, certificates, and high school diplomas awarded by the state's community and technical colleges must follow guidelines and approval processes established by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Statewide degrees designed for transfer from a community and technical college to public and most independent universities include the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) and the Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T) Agreement; both degrees have Major Related Programs (MRP) that represent course of study leading to a specific major at a university. Colleges may also enter into a local agreement between the college and at least one baccalaureate institution willing to accept the degree in transfer (see "Professional-Technical Program Approval Process" on the SBCTC Professional-Technical Programs web page "Current Guidelines for DTA Associate Degree" and "Current."
2. All courses offered and reported on by Washington's community and technical colleges must meet minimum standards as determined by the SBCTC (see RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c) and (e)).
3. The SBCTC shall ensure that each college district shall offer thoroughly comprehensive educational, training, and service programs to meet the needs of both the communities and students served. The SBCTC shall establish minimum standards to govern the requirement for degrees and certificates awarded by the colleges (see RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c)).
4. All professional-technical degree and certificate programs must be approved by the SBCTC prior to course or program implementation (see RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c)). As part of this responsibility, the SBCTC: Sets rules, procedures, and guidelines developed in cooperation with the college system, that provide for the approval of all proposed new professional-technical programs, curriculum modifications, and program title changes (see Professional-Technical Program Approval Process).
5. All professional-technical degree and certificate programs must be approved by the SBCTC prior to course or program implementation (see RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c)). As part of this responsibility, the SBCTC: Sets rules, procedures, and guidelines, developed in cooperation with the college system, that provide for the approval of all proposed new professional-technical programs, curriculum modifications, and program title changes (see Professional-Technical Program Approval Process Guidelines for the Associate in Science–Transfer Agreement on the SBCTC Transfer Resources web page).

1. Full-time faculty propose all new courses at Edmonds College, after consultation with advisory committees, partner colleges and universities, as well as other internal departments and faculty.

2. Faculty will review the course proposal with the appropriate department faculty for their approval and then submit proposal to the division office for review and completion of required elements.

3. The proposal will include title, course description, course objectives, FTEF, credits, mode, fees, and other data required by the SBCTC.            

4. The division dean reviews the course proposal for quality and accuracy of information and impact of a new course on degree and certificate requirements, ( i.e., Distribution, Specified Electives, CD designation) and determines whether the degree/certificate requirement sheet should be reviewed. 

5. The dean presents the new course to division faculty for review and approval and if approved, forwards the course to the Curriculum Committee.

6. After thorough review of the course proposal, the Curriculum Committee may recommend changes or edits to the course and/or make a recommendation for approval of the proposed course to the Vice President for Instruction (VPI). The VPI will review the recommendation of the Curriculum Committee and will approve or disapprove the proposed course.

7. If a course is rejected at any stage, the course returns to the originator.

8. If the VPI approves the course in the online course management system, the VPI staff works with Marketing and Public Information to add the course to the college catalog.

II. Procedure for Approval of Temporary Credit Courses   

1. New courses may be offered on a temporary basis to support program development and needs. Temporary courses are initiated by department faculty and are reviewed by the dean, division staff, and faculty. After review and approval by the VPI, VPI staff work with Marketing and Public Information to include courses in the schedule development process for student registration.   

2. A temporary course will be in effect for five (5) consecutive quarters only and may be offered no more than two (2) quarters within that time frame, except with VPI permission. After the fifth quarter, the temporary course will automatically be removed from the course catalog file and faculty must initiate a new permanent course proposal. A faculty member may choose to propose that a temporary course become a permanent course at any point during or after this timeframe.

III.  Procedure for Approval of Community Service and Continuing Education Courses    

1. New credit-bearing courses offered through Continuing Education go through the same approval and review process as other courses.

2. Non credit-bearing courses follow policy WFD 4.0.

IV.  Procedure for Annual Review and Update of Courses

1. Approved courses will be annually reviewed and updated by department faculty for currency, adherence to standards, and transferability.  

2. Faculty initiate course updates and revisions and indicate if course changes are substantive or non-substantive. Substantive changes to an existing course may include the following criteria: changes in course prefix or title; prerequisites; substantial changes in course description or two or more course-level objectives; change in credits, FTEF, fees, CIP code, EPC code, institutional intent, request for CD designation, and other criteria.  

3. Department faculty, division staff, and deans review and approve all updates.   

4. The Curriculum Committee reviews revised courses with substantive changes and makes appropriate recommendations to the VPI.  

5. Course updates with non-substantive changes are reviewed by the VPI and staff and added to the course catalog.  

6. Stored courses are reviewed at the department, division, and VPI level. Courses taken out of storage are also reviewed by Curriculum Committee for currency and changes.

7. The VPI approves all changes to courses and may return a course to the originator. When the VPI approves a course in the online course management system, the VPI office forwards the course to Marketing and Public Information to add the updated course to the course catalog.

8. Changes to a published course in the quarterly schedule may only be made with approval of the VPI office. Credits for courses already published in the schedule may not be changed if registration for that quarter has begun. 

V.  Procedure for Approval of New Degrees, Certificates, and Programs  

1. Faculty and their departments, with the approval of the VPI, initiate all proposals for new degrees, certificates, and programs in the online curriculum management system and follow the procedures required by the SBCTC and the NWCCU for approval.  
2. New Direct Transfer Agreements are developed in consultation with four-year institutions and the SBCTC. The proposal includes title, program of study, department, CIP, EPC, enrollments, program description, goals, program-level outcomes, curriculum guide, and requirement sheet. Departments are required to consult with regional colleges for duplication of new departments.
3. New professional-technical degrees, Associate of Technical Arts (ATA) and Applied Associate of Science-Transfer (AAST), and certificates that are primary program pathways are developed with the support of the Vice President for Instruction. New degrees and certificates start with a Program Approval Request (PAR) submitted to the SBCTC that includes program description, goals, program-level outcomes, and curriculum guide; potential career progression and worked-based learning opportunities; evidence of collaboration and consultation with other colleges; and advisory committee approval. An Associate of Applied Science-Transfer degree and a new certificate developed from an existing ATA follow a limited approval process by the SBCTC.
4. New Direct Transfer Agreements and Professional-Technical degrees and certificates are reviewed and approved by departments, division dean and staff, division faculty, and Credentials and Advising. The Curriculum Committee recommends a new degree or certificate for approval by the VPI, who then presents the degree to Instructional Leadership, President's Leadership Team, and the Board of Trustees for review and approval. The Accreditation Liaison sends the degree to the NWCCU for final approval, before placement on college inventory by the SBCTC. The Workforce Development and Training Office works with the SBCTC for placement of professional-technical degrees and certificates on the college inventory.
5. Certificates of Completion (COCs) are short professional-technical certificates comprised of nineteen (19) or fewer credits. Development of a COC includes development of program-level learning outcomes and list of courses on requirements sheet. COCs are reviewed and approved at appropriate steps before submission to SBCTC for addition to inventory.
6. Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees follow a rigorous approval process that includes both a Program Needs Statement and a Program Development Proposal submitted to the SBCTC. The degree then follows the internal new degree approval process.

VI.  Procedure for Approval of Updates and Revisions to Current Degrees and Certificates  

1. All requirements for degrees, certificates, and programs will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised annually.

2. All changes in degrees, certificates, and programs are approved by the Vice President for Instruction and will be in effect for at least one (1) academic year beginning summer quarter.  

3. Only approved changes will be included in the college catalog and the annual course schedule.

4. Department faculty initiate proposals in the online curriculum management system to change existing requirements for degrees, certificates, and programs or to change the individual courses specified in the existing requirements in consultation with deans, appropriate advisory committees, four-year institutions, or alignment with other state requirements.

5. Substantive changes include major revision to program description, title and intent, program-level outcomes, courses, credits, CIP, and other key elements. Program Inactivation, Program Elimination, and Program Reinstatement of an Inactive Program are substantive changes.

6. Minor revisions to degrees and certificates are reviewed and approved for submission to the SBCTC by department faculty, division dean and staff, Credentials and Advising, the Vice President for Instruction, the Accreditation Liaison, and Marketing and Public Information.

7. Substantive program changes are reviewed by department faculty, deans, division staff and faculty, and Credentials and Advising. The Curriculum Committee makes recommendations for approval to the VPI, who forwards those changes to Instructional Leadership, President's Leadership Team, Marketing and Public Information, the Accreditation Liaison, the Board of Trustees, and the NWCCU. The SBCTC gives final approval for placement on the college inventory.  

WFD 4.0 Continuing Education

SOURCE INFORMATION
(was) C.4.7.100.R102  Annual Review and Approval Process for Degrees and Certificates.

(was) C.4.7.100.R104  Process for Approval of New Courses

(was) C. 4.7.100 R105  Approval of Course Catalog

RCW 28B.50.020 Purpose.

RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c) and (e) College board—Powers and duties.

CONTENT OWNER. The primary responsibility for this policy belongs to:
Vice President for Instruction

PRIMARY CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR (Director/Dean)
Vice President for Instruction

REVIEW PERIOD
Three years.

REVIEW HISTORY
2021-Oct 21  Amended to update content owner and contributor, leadership references

2018-Feb 26  Approved by President's Cabinet

2006-Nov 16  Edited and Revised C 4.7.100 R102

2005-Oct 18  Edited and Revised C 4.7.100 R104

2005-Oct 04  Edited and Revised C 4.7.100 R105

1998-Feb  Edited and Revised C 4.7.100 R105

1998-Feb  Approved C 4.7.100 R105

1990-Apr  Approved C 4.7.100 R102, C 4.7.100 R104