Home > Administrative Offices > Academic Affairs > Faculty Resources > Academic Forms > Guidelines

GUIDELINES  FOR NEW OR CHANGED COURSES OR CURRICULUM

All changes or additions to the curriculum at Valdosta State University follow the process outlined below.  The VSU forms for a new course, a revised course, and a curriculum change are all designed to follow the same Valdosta State University campus process.  The University System of Georgia (USG) forms for a Letter of Intent and a New Program Proposal must also follow the same campus process before being forwarded to the USG.

Other curriculum and course changes also require notification either of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), VSU’s accrediting agency, and/or of the Board of Regents.  This process can be time-consuming; depending on the change being proposed, official approval from VSU and its accrediting agency and/or the Board of Regents may require up to 12 months or more. 

Following the signature lines on these forms are spaces for additional signatures and notifications (usually of VSU’s SACS Liaison or of the Office of Distance Education).  Departments should consult these offices at the beginning of the approval process so these offices can begin the appropriate notification processes. 

If a department or a program wants a change to appear in the catalogue for the beginning of the academic year in August, the entire process must generally be completed by February or March of that year.

PROCESS:

1. Course or curriculum change or addition originates with a faculty member in the Academic Program. (Complete required forms—Links to forms below).

2. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by academic program’s department.
3. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by academic program’s college.

4. Contact VSU SACS Liaison to determine if SACS notification is required. Contact Assistant Director for Distance Learning if all or part of the course is offered online.

5. Graduate course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by the Graduate Executive Committee. (Schedule for Graduate Executive Committee)

6. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by the University Academic Committee. (Schedule for Academic Committee)

7. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by the VSU Faculty Senate.

8. New academic degrees, majors, or changes to the name of degree programs must be submitted to the Board of Regents for approval.

9. New academic degrees, majors, or changes to the name of degree programs must be submitted to the Board of Regents for approval.