Curriculum Proposal Forms

For assistance please contact the following:

For Flagstaff Mountain Campus Curriculum for COE, CEFNS, CEIAS, FCB, HHS and SBS, contact Scott Galland at Scott.Galland@nau.edu.

For Flagstaff Mountain Campus Curriculum for CAL and Honors, contact Margery Sorensen at Margery.Sorensen@nau.edu.

For Online, Statewide and Education Innovation, contact Jenny Scott at Jenny.Scott@nau.edu.

New Course

Guide to Degree Program Purpose Statements and Student Learning Outcomes

Guide to Syllabus Course Learning Outcomes

Guide to Syllabus Course Purpose Statements

Course Change

Course Change –  Fast Track

Course Deletion

Course Deletion – Fast Track

New Plan: First complete Program Request Process

Plan (Major, Minor, Certificate) Change

Plan (Major, Minor, Certificate) Change – Fast Track

Curriculum proposal resources

Curriculum how-to guides and resources

This webpage provides how-to guides and resources for curriculum requests that require college, and/or Faculty Senate curriculum and assessment committee approval.

Substantive Curriculum Changes

If you have one of the following substantive curriculum changes, please go to the Program Request Process: https://in.nau.edu/curriculum-assessment-accreditation/request-for-proposals-process/  website to obtain the form required:

Types of Substantive Curriculum Changes Accordion Closed
  • New Academic Programs
    • New Degree Programs
    • New Certificates, Emphases, Minors or Micro-credentials, including for-credit and not-for credit programs
  • Changes to Location or Modality
    • Changes the Location where a Program is Offered
    • Adding “Online” or “Competency-Based/Personalized Learning” as a Modality to an Existing Program
  • Developing Contractual Arrangements and Educational Partnerships
  • All Inactivations
    • Inactivating an Academic Program, Emphasis, Location, Modality, Educational Partnership, Contractual Arrangement, etc.
  • Organizational Changes or Substantive Changes to Academic Units
    • Changing the Name of an Academic Unit
    • Establishing, Re-organizing or Eliminating an Academic Unit
    • Moving Academic Programs Between Colleges or Academic Units
  • Substantive Changes to an Existing Program
    • Name Changes to Any Academic Program (including Emphases)
    • Change in 25% or more of the Curriculum of a Degree Program (changing either the content or the course requirements)
    • Allowing more than 64 units of Transfer Credit in an Undergraduate Degree Program
    • Requiring more than 120 units of credit in an Undergraduate Degree Program

Important deadlines

We recommend that you submit curriculum proposals before the spring semester, especially Liberal Studies and Diversity Designation Proposals, if at all possible.

Curriculum Proposal Timeline for Academic Year 2021-22

October 1, 2021: Deadline for Review Period 1.  This is the final deadline for all units submitting exceptions for the AY22-23 Academic Catalog.  Proposals for the AY23-24 Academic Catalog are welcome during Review Period 1.

October 29, 2021: Deadline for General Studies Designation and Diversity Designation for Fall 2023 catalog.

December 10, 2021:  Deadline for Review Period 2 proposals for AY 23-24 Academic Catalog.

February 18, 2022: Deadline for Review Period 3.  This is the final deadline for ALL curriculum proposals for the AY23-24 Academic Catalog.

How-To Guides

How-to Guides for curriculum proposals that do not require Provost, PALC (Provost’s Academic Leadership Council), and ABOR approval:

New Course Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a new course.

1. Discuss the possibility of the new course with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  If your academic unit leader approves of the idea of a new course:

  • Your Chair/Director will discuss:
    • how your unit will review and approve the course prior to going to the college for review, and
    • provide a deadline for you to complete the proposal for the unit’s review.

2. Begin developing the syllabus for the new course using:

3. Upon completion of the syllabus, send it to your Curriculum Process Associate (CPA) who will work with you to complete the New Course Form:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the New Course Form: How to-Guide; the form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the course through your academic unit’s review and approval process.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the new course PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.

Course Change Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a change to an existing course.

1. Discuss the justification for the course change with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  If your academic unit leader approves of the change to the course:

  • Your Chair/Director will discuss:
    • how your unit will review and approve the course prior to going to the college for review, and
    • provide a deadline for you to complete the proposal for the unit’s review.

     

2. Review the current syllabus for the course and determine if any changes/updates are needed.

  1. Review the approved Syllabus Template to confirm your syllabus is up-to-date.
  2. Examine the resources on Strategic Course Design to determine if you want to make other changes to the course’s design.

3. Upon completion of the revised syllabus, send it to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Course Change Form:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Course Change Form: How to-Guide.  The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the course through your academic unit’s review and approval process.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the new course PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.

Course Change – Fast Track Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a Fast Track change to an existing course.

1.  Discuss the justification for the course change with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).

2. Review the Fast Track policy to see if the course change is eligible as a Fast Track item.

3. Send an email with your requested changes to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Fast Track Course Change Form:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Fast Track Course Change Form: How to-Guide.  The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the course through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the Fast Track course change PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed.

Course Deletion Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a course for deletion.

1. Discuss the justification of the course deletion with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  In particular, determine whether other majors, minors or certificates would be impacted due to the deletion of the course.  If your academic unit leader approves the deletion of the course:

  • Your Chair/Director will discuss:
    • how your unit will review and approve the course deletion prior to going to the college for review, and
    • provide a deadline for you to complete the proposal for the unit’s review.

2. Send an email with your requested course deletion to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Course Deletion Form.   If the course deletion requires a plan change, your CPA will also assist you in completing the Plan Change Form.

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Course Deletion Form: How to-Guide.  The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the course (and plan as applicable) through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the course deletion PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.

Course Deletion – Fast Track Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a Fast Track course deletion.

1. Discuss the justification of the course deletion with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  In particular, determine whether other majors, minors or certificates would be impacted due to the deletion of the course.  Review the Fast Track policy to see if the course change is eligible as a Fast Track item.  If your academic unit leader approves the deletion of the course:

  • Your Chair/Director will discuss:
    • how your unit will review and approve the course deletion prior to going to the college for review, and
    • provide a deadline for you to complete the proposal for the unit’s review.

2. Send an email with your requested changes to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Fast Track Course Deletion Form (and plan change or Fast Track plan change form when applicable):

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Fast Track Course Deletion Form: How to-Guide.  The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

3. Send the course (and plan as applicable) through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

4. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

5. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the Fast Track course deletion PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed.

Plan (Major, Minor, Certificate) Change Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a change to an existing plan.

1. Discuss the justification for the plan change with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  If your academic unit leader approves of the change to the plan:

  • Your Chair/Director will discuss how your unit will review and approve the plan prior to going to the college for review.

2. Review the current student learning outcomes for the plan and determine if any changes/updates are needed.  Also review the items below to confirm your Curriculum Map/Matrix is up-to-date:

  • The Approved Current Curriculum Map/Matrix
  • Curriculum Map Guidelines

3. Upon completion of the curriculum map and review of student learning outcomes, send both items to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Plan Change Form:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Plan Change Form: How to-Guide.  The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the plan through your academic unit’s review and approval process.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the plan change PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.

Plan (Major, Minor, Certificate) Change – Fast Track Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a Fast Track change to an existing plan.

1. Discuss the justification for the plan change with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  Review the Fast Track policy to see if the plan change is eligible as a Fast Track item.

2. Send an email with your requested changes to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Fast Track Plan Change Form:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Fast Track Plan Change Form: How to-Guide. The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

4. Send the plan through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

5. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

6. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the Fast Track plan change PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed.

How-to Guides for curriculum proposals requiring Provost, PALC (Provost’s Academic Leadership Council), and ABOR approval:

New Plan Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a new plan.

  1. First, complete the Program Request Process: https://in.nau.edu/curriculum-assessment-accreditation/request-for-proposals-process/
  2. After your “Proposal of Concept” is approved and you have had your R&D Meeting, then continue with the curriculum proposal process as follows:

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the New Plan Form: How to-Guide. The form must be completed and submitted to your Curriculum Process Associate above by the proposal deadline.  Be sure to include enough time for the Curriculum Process Associates to request changes to the proposal prior to the deadline.

  1. Your Chair/Director will discuss how your unit will review and approve the plan prior to going to the college for review.
  2. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.
  3. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the new plan PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.
  4. Send the plan through your academic unit’s review and approval process.
  5. Your Dean will notify the Chair/Director if PALC supports the full proposal for recommendation to the President and for addition to the Academic Strategic Plan (formal notification to ABOR).

Plan Deletion Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a plan for deletion.

  1. First, complete the Program Request Process: https://in.nau.edu/curriculum-assessment-accreditation/request-for-proposals-process/
  2. Send an email with your requested plan deletion to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Plan Deletion Form. 

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Plan Deletion Form: How to-Guide.

Send the plan through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

  1. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the plan deletion PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.
  2. Following college approval, the plan deletion will be added to the Academic Strategic Plan (formal notification to ABOR).

Academic Plan Name Change (Organizational, Degree Program, Minor, Emphasis, Certificate) Accordion Closed

Complete the following process to propose a title change to an organizational unit or existing plan.

1. Discuss the justification for the new plan with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).  If your academic unit leader approves of the new plan, your Chair/Director will discuss the proposal with your college Dean.  If your college Dean approves  the new plan:

2. Complete the Program Request Process Form for the appropriate type of Name Change: https://in.nau.edu/curriculum-assessment-accreditation/request-for-proposals-process/

3. Send the request to your Curriculum Process Associate who will work with you to complete the Plan Change Form.

In case you want to complete the form yourself, feel free to use the Plan Change Form: How to-Guide.

4. Send the plan through your academic unit’s review and approval process, unless otherwise directed by your academic unit chair/director.

5.  The Chair/Director will forward the change proposal to the Dean of the college.  If the Dean supports the proposal, the Dean will forward the proposal to the Provost for addition to the Academic Strategic Plan (formal notification to ABOR).

6. Complete ALL changes and recommendations from the Curriculum Process Associate PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.

7. Obtain your Chair/Director’s electronic approval of the plan change PRIOR TO the proposal’s due date.  ONLY proposals with electronic approval from the Chair/Director can proceed to the college for review.

 How-to Guides for other curriculum changes

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program Accordion Closed

The requirements for the bachelor’s and master’s degree of the accelerated program will remain the same as for the existing bachelor and master’s programs. A graduate program has the discretion to use no more than 12 hours of NAU coursework credit (400 level or higher) applied towards the undergraduate degree to satisfy requirements included on the master’s program of studies. Students must receive a grade of B or higher in this coursework used towards the undergraduate degree that will also be counted for graduate credit.

Complete the following process to propose establishing an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program.

  1. Discuss the justification for the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program with your academic unit leader (Chair/Director).
  2. Set up meetings with respective undergraduate programs if undergraduate program is outside of departmental unit.
  3. Chair/Director will discuss the proposal with Academic Dean(s) of respective units of plan to establish an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program.
  4. Complete the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program Application.
  5. Submit completed Accelerated Program Application directly to the Graduate College Dean for review/approval.

Following approval from the Graduate Dean, the unit proposing the program will be responsible for ensuring the accelerated program is listed on the unit’s website. The Graduate College will ensure the accelerated program added to the list of programs on the Graduate College website.

Curriculum and Assessment
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Room 471 Building 60
Student and Academic Services Building
1100 S. Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box 4091
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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