Resources for Curriculum Forms Submission

Curriculum Forms and Resources
This link provides additional tools/resources for submitting curriculum forms.

In addition to guidelines on writing a syllabus, here you will find the Curricula Froms Process Manual that goes into detail about submitting curriculum forms as well as how to use the Automated Curriculum Workflow system.

The course syllabus and bibliography should follow standard formats and include pertinent information as if you were giving it to students. Most UNM colleges, schools, or departments have sample syllabi formats, so check with your department’s and/or dean’s offices for one to follow. University faculty committees will base their decision, in part, on their review of these documents. The syllabus should include a schedule of material covered (organized by week or class meeting or other time frame), course objectives and goals, required text(s), and significant course requirements. The sample syllabus should give a clear sense of the scope, nature, schedule, integrity, and rigor of the course. For courses where both undergraduate and graduate credit is available, please be sure that your syllabus demonstrates justification for graduate credit.
For more detailed information on the automated curriculum workflow process, click here.

Submitting a Curriculum Form B to create a new course? Here are some helpful tips to make the approval smooth.

Link to question 10:

The course description should inform potential students about the basis for variable credit (based on amount of student effort, course content, etc.).

Link to question 20:

Variable credit courses that can be repeated for credit should include a rationale for maximum credits the course can count toward the graduate degree, and where appropriate indicate a maximum number of variable credits. For instance, “a 1-6 variable credit course may be repeated up to 3 times for a maximum of 8 credits”. Question 20 should also clarify how credit will be determined from semester to semester (see question 10).

Link to question 24:

The syllabus should be considered a contract between the instructor and students. As such, the syllabus should include language about the student learning objectives (the instructor’s contractual obligation to the student), and about the expected student outputs (the students’ contractual obligation to the instructor).

Link to question 25:

The SGC recently clarified its criteria for reviewing Form B’s proposing dual numbered (400/500), *300 and*400 courses. The Committee recognizes the important role that grad/undergrad courses play in many units on campus, but wishes to ensure that our review process facilitates the best possible learning experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.

1. Dual numbered courses (400/500) are to be offered only where significant and demonstrable academic benefits exist for both graduate and undergraduate students.
2. Enrollment in dual numbered courses is limited to graduate and senior level undergraduates or by permission of instructor.
3. All dual numbered courses should be taught at the graduate level, though work requirements may vary for undergraduates.
4. Courses which are taught at the undergraduate level, but are also available for graduate credit, should be offered at the *300 or *400 level. The additional expectations of graduate students should be spelled out in the syllabus.

For more detailed information on the automated curriculum workflow process, click here.

A Curriculum Form D is used to request new graduate degrees and new transcripted graduate certificates.For the state legislative statute concerning the process for approval of new graduate programs click here.

New Graduate Degree or Certificate Program Proposal Steps:

1.  Graduate Unit Faculty prepare preliminary proposal for new degree (or certificate) and seek approval from:

1. (Sequence and approval steps may vary according to the policies of the unit and college/school.)

2.  Graduate Unit Faculty prepare Preliminary Review memo & send to Provost’s Office, cc: Dean of Graduate Studies.

3.  Office of the Provost approves the Preliminary Review memo & notifies unit that they may go ahead with the proposal process.

4.  Office of the Provost sends notification of intent to create a new graduate degree to NM Higher Education Department (HED) & NM Council of Graduate Deans (NMCGD).

5.  Proposal and Form D are prepared and routed though UNM for approval by:

1. Dean of Library Services
2. Registrar’s Office (Forms B req’d.)
3. Faculty Senate Graduate & Professional Committee
4. Dean of Graduate Studies
5. Faculty Senate Curricula Committee
6. Faculty Senate
7. Board of Regents

1. (Stop here if proposal is to create a new graduate certificate program with already existing courses.)

6.  The proposal is sent to the NMCGD by the Office of the Provost

7.  Proposal is approved by the NMCGD and is forwarded to the HED

8.  HED staff forward the proposal to the Academic Council on Higher Education (ACHE), composed of the state’s provosts, for approval

9.  HED conducts its review of the proposal

10. HED forwards the proposal to the State Board of Finance (SBOF) for final approval; the Form D is signed and returned to the Office of the Provost

11. The Office of the Provost sends the original Form D to the Office of the Registrar

12. A Major Code & CIP code is assigned to the new degree and distributed to the Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Unit

13. The Graduate Unit admits students.