Curriculum Forms & Guidelines

New Course Request

Submit a New Course Request for courses that are brand new and for existing courses that are changing the prefix, number, and/or a majority of the title and description being changed.  A Program Change Request for any program(s) affected by this change may also need to be submitted.

Course Change Request

Submit a Course Change Request for courses that need to have information updated or modified.  For courses that have the prefix, number, and/or a majority of the title and description being changed, departments need to instead complete a New Course Request form, along with a Course Deactivation Request.  A Program Change Request for any program(s) affected by this change may also need to be submitted.

Course Deactivation Request

Submit a Course Deactivation Request for courses that need to be removed from the catalog.  However, the course number will still remain in the Registrar’s inventory due to being listed in prior catalogs and on students’ transcripts.  A Program Change Request for any program(s) affected by this change may also need to be submitted.

Core Curriculum Request (New, Change, Deactivate)

Submit a Core Curriculum Request form for any new core courses, as well as for changes or deactivation to a core course.  For a new core request, it must also be accompanied by a ‘New Course Request’ form as well.  Please utilize the Core Curriculum Guidelines to ensure student learning outcomes (SLOs) are aligned with the state’s Core Objectives (COs).

Core Curriculum Guidelines

The Core Curriculum Guidelines provide an overview of the University’s requirements, as well as Texas Core Curriculum (TCC) and SACSCOC guidelines for general education courses.  Please review and utilize the document when submitting any Core Curriculum Requests.

New Program Request

Proposals must receive authorization from the Provost prior to planning.  At the beginning of each academic year, TAMUS requests a lists of all anticipated new programs from each institution.  Any new program proposals must be identified on the TAMUS future programs horizon document.  The Academic Affairs office will submit a formal planning notification to TAMUS, once authorized to proceed in the planning process. 

New program requests follow a two-year approval cycle, due to external approval considerations, and are managed through the Academic Affairs office.  In rare or unique situations, a program may be expedited, but will require Provost approval.

In addition to the curriculum request, additional forms may need to be completed for the TAMUS Board of Regents, THECB, and/or SACSCOC for review, consideration, and approval.

New programs are not authorized to recruit, advertise or admit any students until SACSCOC approval is received.

Program Change Request

Program Change Request forms are to be used with editing, updating, or adding courses to a program’s requirements.  Please review the document for further information on programs that will be consolidated, as well as program change requirements that may require additional documents to be submitted to TAMUS Board of Regents, THECB, and/or SACSCOC.

Program Deactivation Request

Prior to submitting a Program Deactivation Request, please contact the Academic Affairs office.  Additional documents may need to be completed for TAMUS Board of Regents, THECB, and/or SACSCOC.  Further, a teach-out process and timelines will need to be discussed and reviewed prior to any documents being submitted.

SACSCOC Substantive Change

A substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution.  As related to curriculum proposals, substantive change includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those offered when the institution was last evaluated
• offering courses or programs at a higher or lower degree level than currently authorized
• adding an additional method of delivery to a currently offered program
• completion pathways that recognize and accommodate a student’s prior or existing knowledge or competency

For all program changes, please review the SACSCOC Substantive Change Quick Reference Guide and SACSCOC Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.