Skip to content

POLICY 03:04:00

CREDIT COURSE ADDITION/ DEACTIVATION/MODIFICATION

This policy establishes requirements for proposal of a new course and modification or deactivation of an existing course. Procedures for proposals are outlined on the College website.

  1. Curriculum Design Committee approval and minor changes.A. Minor curriculum changes not reviewed by CDC. Proposed by content-experts in the department and approved by the department dean.
    • Course Number Changes
    • Course Title Changes
    • Course Description Changes
    • Credit Hour Reductions (NOT increases)
    • Course Deactivations or Deletions
    • Changes in Lecture/Lab Distribution
    • Removal (NOT addition) of Course Prerequisites
    • Minor changes to Student Expected Learning Outcomes Alterations of Discipline Learning Outcomes and Program Learning Outcomes.B. Curriculum changes reviewed by CDC
    • New Programs (degree and certificate)
    • Program Changes (degree and certificate)
    • New Courses and change of course rubric and number
    • Addition of Course Prerequisites and/or Corequisites
  2.  Substantive changes to Student Learning OutcomesNew Course Development: A new course and master syllabus should be developed by faculty who are content experts in the department where the course will be taught. Rationale for course addition should include information on the program(s) where the course will be used and whether or not the course is designed for transfer or General Education core, and whether or not it replaces an existing course. Course prefix and number: Generally speaking, 1000-level courses designate freshman level; 2000-level courses designate sophomore level. For many courses, the prefix and number have been standardized by statewide faculty committees convened by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Course title and description: Description should be in complete sentences indicating course content and any special audience or purpose of the course (AST majors, general education for Humanities, etc.).
    1. Prerequisites and corequisites: The purpose of prerequisites and corequisites is to ensure that students are prepared for success in the course; evidence of the necessity for prerequisites and corequisites is required.
    2. Number of credit hours: The College adopts the nationally accepted standard of credit hours as defined in the Higher Education Act and Credit Hours policy statement published by SACSCOC. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. One credit hour signifies the amount of student work represented by not less than one hour of classroom instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class work per week for approximately fifteen weeks for one regular semester.
    3. Lecture/lab distribution Courses with a required laboratory or clinical component, such as science or nursing courses, carry additional credit based on the amount of time spent in lab or clinical setting.

Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Executive Council, November 2, 1992
Executive Council, June 20, 1994
President’s Council, August 28, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, August 8, 1997
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, August 27, 2001
Approved: President’s Staff, May 15, 2006
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 15, 2006
Editorial Changes, July 2008, July 1, 2009
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, July 19, 2010
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, July 19, 2010
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, May 9, 2011
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 9, 2011
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, September 26, 2016
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., September 26, 2016
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, August 14, 2017
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., August 14, 2017
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 27, 2023
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., March 27, 2023