University Curriculum Council

    The University Curriculum Council is the final recommending voice in curricular matters.   Its recommendations go through the Provost to the President for final approval. 

    Course Approval Process
    Ocean 3.0 Approval Levels Estimated Timeframes
    A course originates at the department with a contact person entering all information into Ocean 3.0. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Course moves to Department/School Curriculum Committee (DSCC; optional) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Course moves to Department Chair/School Director (DCSD) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Course moves to College Curriculum Committee (CCC) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Course moves to College Dean/Designee (CDEAN) for approval.
    In the case of an expedited review, the course moves from CDEAN directly to Registrar (with assistance of ICC Chair).    		 Approved course must be sent to ICC at least 18 days prior to UCC meeting.
    Course moves to Individual Course Committee (ICC) for approval. 
    General Education courses are also reviewed by the General Education Committee at this time.    		 Reviews course 7 days prior to UCC meeting.
    Course moves to University Curriculum Council (UCC) for approval. Upon approval, sent to Registrar for updates.

    Program Approval Process
    Ocean 1.9 Approval Levels Estimated Timeframes
    A program originates at the department with a contact person submitting all information into Ocean 1.9. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Program moves to Department/School Curriculum Committee (DSCC; optional) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Program moves to Department Chair/School Director (DCSD) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Program moves to College Curriculum Committee (CCC) for approval. Time frame dependent on contact person, DSCC, DCSD, and CCC.
    Program moves to College Dean/Designee (CDEAN) for approval. Approved Program must be sent to PC at least 7 days prior to established meeting date.
    Program moves to Programs Committee (PC) for approval.
    The Graduate Council (via Bridge Committee) consults on graduate programs at this time.    		 Reviews program 7 days prior to UCC meeting.
    Program moves to University Curriculum Council (UCC) for first reading. Can move into second reading at this time. 
    Expedited requests are presented as notification items and do not go on for further review/approval; Registrar is notified.
    Program moves to University Curriculum Council (UCC) for second reading.
    Program moves to the Provost for approval.
    Program moves to the President for approval.
    		 Program changes not needing Board of Trustee/ODHE/HLC approval stop here. Registrar is notified.
    Program moves to the Board of Trustees for approval. Meets 4 times per year. (October, January, March, June). If not moving onto ODHE/HLC, registrar is notified.
    Program moves to ODHE and/or HLC for approval. Necessary for new programs and some program changes; can take up to 9 months. Registrar is notified.

    Approvals for Program Related Curricular Actions

    • Bold and Italics indicate final stage of approval.
    • New programs or program changes can only be implemented, advertised, and offered after final stages are complete.
    • Time frame depends on specifics of whether approval or notification is required at various stages, the timing of the quarterly BOT meetings if Board approval is required, and the preparation and delivery of additional required materials (e.g., CVs of course instructors for new programs to be submitted to the states).
    • Delays in submissions are often attributed to missing information or discrepancies within the submitted materials. Submissions may be returned due to any of these issues. To avoid delays, double-check your submissions for completeness and consistency.
    • Key to decision level required in various stages
      • App. - Approval
      • Admin. App. - Administrative Approval
      • Exp. App. - Expedited Approval
    • Key to State/Federal actors
      • CCGS - Chancellor's Council on Graduate Studies
      • ODHE - Ohio Department of Higher Education
      • HLC - Higher Learning Commission

    New Programs
    Program Actions UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT if needed) HLC Est. time after UCC approval*
    New undergraduate academic degree program / New major in existing degree  
    		 App. App. App. Not. or App. BOT 1-4 months ODHE 4-6 months HLC 1-3 months
    New Graduate Degree Program / New major in existing degree
    		 App. App. App. Not. or App. BOT 1-4 month ODHE/CCGS 4-8 months HLC 1-3 months
    New program track or concentration in existing degree name or major (at least 50% of same total hours taken in common with existing program otherwise it's a new program
    		 App. No Not. Not. or App. ODHE/CCGS 1 month HLC 1-3 months
    New Minor
    		 App. No No No
    New technical stand-alone certificate (ODHE definition)
    		 App. June Not. App. Not. or App. ODHE and HLC 1-3 months
    New technical stand-alone certificate (ODHE definition)
    		 App. + exemption June Not. App. Not. or App. HLC 1-3 months
    All other certificates of 20 or fewer credit hourse (stand-alone and embedded)
    		 App. June Not. No Not. or App Depends on type of program
    New prep programs leading to OH Edu Licensure/Endorsement
    		 App. App. or June Not. App. App.
    New Accelerated Graduate Pathway
    		 Not. No GC must report on these annually to CCGS. No

    Program Changes: Naming
    Program Actions UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT If Needed) HLC Est. Time After Approval
    UG Program name change or title change only (degree name or major name with no other changes) App. App. App. Not. or App. BOT 1-4 month ODHE 2-6 months HLC 1-3 months
    Grad Program name change or title change only (degree name or major name with no other changes) App. App. App. Not. or App. BOT 1-4 month ODHE/CCGS 4-8 months HLC 1-3 months
    Change in concentration/track name (not in degree or major) App. No Not. Not. or App. ODHE/CCGS 1 month HLC 1-3 months

    Program Changes: Location and Modality
    Program Actions UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT If Needed) HLC Est. Time After UCC Approval*
    Designating a new off-campus location--delivering 50% or more of existing program requirements in approved degree at a new proposed off-campus location
    		 App. or Exp. App. App. Admin App. Not. ODHE/CCGS & HLC 1-3 months
    Offering an approved program at another designated off-campus location --delivering 50% or more of existing program requirements in another existing off-campus location
    		 App. or Exp. App. App. Admin App. No ODHE/CCGS & HLC 1-3 months
    Offering more than 50% or more of reqs for existing program requirements in online or blended formats
    		 App. or Exp. App. No Admin App. Not. ODHE/CCGS & HLC 1-3 months

    Program Changes: Content
    Program Actions UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT If Needed) HLC Est. Time After UCC Approval*
    Ay changes in minors
    		 App. No No No
    Substantive change is defined as a modification of 50% or more of the requirements for major, degree program, tech cert or educator licensure endorsement program. Program encompasses all requirements including those outside the program.
    		 App. No Admin App. or Not. Not. or App. ODHE/CCGS & HLC 1-3 months
    Cumulative changes of 25% or more in program credit hours -- the program encompases all program requirements in the major or program, including general education, college requirements, ad any hours of restricted electives.
    		 App. No No if under 50% change App. HLC 1-3 months
    Cumulative changes of 25% or more in program content -- the program encompasses all program requirements in the major or program and those outside the major or program, including general education, college requirements, and any hours of restricted electives
    		 App. No No if under 50% change Not. HLC 1-3 months
    Content changes that do not meet the 50% substantive change or the cumulative 25% changes above. Note that all UG major changes through Summer 2025 will fall in this category.
    		App. or exp. App. No No No

    Other Program Changes
    Program Actions UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT If Needed) HLC Est. Time After UCC Approval*
    Changes or new clinical experiences, new or changed customized pathways (abbreviated courses or programs), consortia or contractual arrangements See UCC guidance on specific courses and confer with VPUG, GC and ALO for other required processes.
    New program codes for special student populations? Exp. App. No No No
    Changes to admissions standards Exp. App. No No No

    Inactivate Program
    Program Action UCC OHIO BOT ODHE/CCGS (After BOT If Needed) HLC Est. Time After UCC Approval*
    Includes suspending admissions to program (requires teach out plan for any students in program).
    		 Not. App. Admin App. Not. ODHE/CCGS * HLC

    Key to OHIO Actors and Contact Information

    Initials Office Contact Person Contact Email
    PO
    		 Provost's Office (Director of Operations) Bose Maposa maposa@ohio.edu
    VPUG
    		 Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Sarah Poggione poggione@ohio.edu
    GC
    		 Associate Dean of Graduate College  Greg Newton newtong@ohio.edu
    ALO
    		 Accreditation Liaison Officer Loralyn Taylor taylorl4@ohio.edu
    PCOE
    		 Patton College of Education Director of Assessment and Academic Improvement Zach Schabel schabel@ohio.edu
    REG
    		 Registrar Office Kathleen Pugh brownk16@ohio.edu

    University Curriculum Council Contacts

    Angie Brock, Administrative Associate
    Todd Eisworth, UCC Chair
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