All program revisions require a full review except non-substantive changes to program learning outcomes. CPE requires a new program be submitted if a program is changed to the point of requiring a new CIP code, if program is separated into two programs, or if two programs are merged into a new program. SACSCOC approval may be required when a program’s hours are drastically reduced or increased. Contact the Office of the Provost for additional information.
When revising a program, it is important to note the following:
- If a program title changes, the Registrar will most likely assign a new reference number. Titles are not date specific. Therefore, changing the title of a current reference number will affect all students, even those who have graduated with the program. The same is true for concentrations.
- Departments should verify revisions continue to enforce the rules for undergraduate and graduate programs.
- CIP codes may not be revised through the WKU curricular process. Consult the Office of the Provost. CPE must approve all CIP code updates.
- Program revisions are implemented with a fall term and coincide with the publication of the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
- Ensure the credit hours for all courses are correct, if courses had revised credit hours.
Revised baccalaureate programs must submit an updated four-year plan showing the program revisions.
Visit the appropriate curriculum committee’s page to access the online curriculum system. Use the search field to find the existing program.
Click on the program to be revised. Then, choose the best option for the program.
To revise a program, simply make the updates within the program proposal. Those revisions will show as track changes for anyone reviewing the proposal. For assistance in updating a course list or four-year plans, refer to the “Inserting Courses” or “Entering Four-Year Plans” portion of this document.
The program revision will enter the appropriate workflow based on the program revision type (Revise, Suspend, or Delete).
Revising Program Learning Outcomes
Program learning outcomes may be revised through an expedited process if the revisions are non-substantive, are made in an effort to approve assessment, or required by the program’s accreditor.
Program Delivery Modes
SACSCOC requires programs to provide notifications when new modalities are introduced for existing programs. Teach-out plans are required when a program ceases to offer a program delivery mode. SACSCOC states the following:
Method of delivery applies to how 50% or more of the content is delivered. A program may have more than one method of delivery: if a hybrid course is half face-to-face, half distance education, then it would have two methods of delivery. If you’re adding a method of delivery to a program that results in 50% or more of the program being delivered by that method, then notification is required; if it is less than 50%, then notification isn’t required.
Examples:
- If an institution currently offers a program by face-to-face instruction only and converts the program to 100% delivery by distance education, then that is considered adding a distance education method of delivery. (It’s also a closure of the face-to-face delivery which requires a teach-out and closure approval.)
- If an institution currently offers a program by distance education only and adds as an additional option 100% delivery by face-to-face instruction – i.e., students may complete the program by distance education or by face-to-face instruction – then that is considered adding a face-to-face method of delivery.
- If an institution currently offers a program by face-to-face instruction and converts the program to a hybrid delivery with 60% face-to-face and 30% course/credit-based competency-based education, then that is not considered adding competency-based education as a method of delivery because the majority of the course remains face-to-face.
CPE requires that WKU identify which degree programs are offered 100% face to face or 100% online. Note that CPE includes general education into its percentages for undergraduate programs.
Departments/Schools should use the curriculum management system to change program delivery modes. If the program delivery mode is the ONLY change being submitted for a program, the request can go through the expedited process. However, if other changes are made to the program in addition to the program delivery mode update, the program will progress through a Full Review. Review curriculum workflow charts for additional information.
Find the program using the following link: Program Management (wku.edu). Be sure to utilize “wild cards” before and after the title to get accurate results. For example, to find Sociology, enter *Sociology*.
Next, click on "Revise Program."
If changes are only being made to the program delivery mode, select EXPEDITED as the Review Type. When expedited is selected, the form will condense to only show the Delivery Mode portion of the form. Be sure to enter contact information and the implementation term.
Update the content as needed. Unless the department submitted updates using the curriculum management system, all information was entered based on information submitted by associate deans to the Office of the Provost in June 2021.
Note that the Office of the Provost will monitor changes program modalities. The department/school may be contacted concerning additional information needed to meet SACSCOC requirements. For example, if a program is no longer offered at a regional campus, the department will have to submit a program closure form to SACSCOC.