13-0-3 New Curriculum Program Development

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Area Commission
  3. Information Technology
  4. Plans and Analysis
  5. Marketing
  6. Financial Affairs
  7. Facilities Management
  8. Human Resources and Employee Relations
  9. Development
  10. Procurement and Inventory Control
  11. Auxiliary Enterprises and Printing Services
  12. Public Safety
  13. Division of Education

    13-0-2 Course Syllabi and Addenda

    13-0-3 New Curriculum Program Development

    13-0-6 Grade Reports and Transcripts

    13-0-8 Full-time Faculty Workload/Overload

    13-0-9 Curriculum Content Changes

    13-0-10 Closing Academic Programs

    13-1-1 Live Work Projects

    13-2-0 Use of Resources Policy

    13-2-1 Library Material, Overdue

    13-2-2 Digital Resource Acquisition

    13-2-3 Duplication and Use of Copyrighted Material

    13-2-5 Materials Acquisition

    13-2-6 Acquisition of Consumable Books and Periodicals

    13-2-7 Repair, Replacement, Removal and Preservation of Materials

    13-2-8 Archives

    13-3-0 Academic Advisory Committees Policy

    13-3-1 Academic Advisory Committees

    13-4-0 Collection Development Policy

    13-4-1 Articulation

    13-5-1 Audiovisual Production Request

    13-6-1 Student Intellectual Property Rights

    13-7-0 Education Abroad Policy

    13-7-1 Education Abroad

    13-8-0 Institutional Review Board Policy

    13-8-1 Institutional Review Board

    13-9-1 Student Privacy, Distance Learning

    13-10-1 Academic Student Ceremonies

    13-11-1 Non-credit Programs, International Students for Non-academic Training

    13-12-1 Non-credit Programs

    13-13-1 Non-credit Programs, Registration

    13-14-1 Non-credit Programs, Refunds

  14. Intentionally Left Blank for Future Use
  15. Intentionally Left Blank for Future Use
  16. Admissions and Registrar
  17. Student Services

NUMBER: 13-0-3 APPROVED DATE: 08-07-2001

PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for the development of Associate Degree, Diploma, and Certificate program proposals.

I.  RESPONSIBILITIES

     A.  Developer of Proposal

a.  The developer, either a faculty member or the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs, structures an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee as noted below for proposal development in whatever manner will best accomplish the desired objectives. Faculty from the divisions with courses included in the proposal should be involved in proposal development activities. Program development should be based on South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE) guidelines.

b.  The developer submits a draft of the proposal for review by the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs.

c.  The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs reviews the proposal to ensure it meets CHE and SBTCE guidelines.

d.  The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs submits the proposal to the SACSCOC liaison to determine if a Substantive Change Report must be submitted to SACSCOC.

e.  The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs submits the revised proposal to the Curriculum Committee.

     B.  Curriculum Committee: The Curriculum Committee reviews the program proposal and submits recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. During the review, the committee should consider the following:

a.  Relevance of program objectives to business/industry needs.

b.  Relevance of course content to program objectives.

c.  Appropriateness of course sequencing and prerequisites.

d.  Impact on other TTC programs and departments.

e.  Appropriateness of admission criteria.

f.  Resources required to start the program.

II.  PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

     A.  General

a.  Advisory Committee: An Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, will be formed by the proposal developer to advise during the proposal development process. An existing Advisory Committee may also be used.

b.  Needs Assessment: A needs assessment must be included in the proposal. The needs assessment must demonstrate a clear industry and workforce need for the program within the college’s service area or broader region. All proposals must include documented support from the Advisory Committee. The needs assessment should also include reliable labor market data. Examples of supporting evidence include:

    • Number of jobs currently available in the field.
    • Projected job growth and workforce demand.
    • Wage and salary data demonstrating viable career options.
    • Documented input, surveys, or letters of support from industry partners, or employers.
    • Alignment with regional workforce priorities or economic development initiatives.

     B.  Certificate Program

a.  After discussing the concept for a new program with the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs, the developer works with Institutional Research to conduct a needs assessment to establish regional need for the program, if appropriate.

b.  Proposal: The proposal for the certificate program will be in the same format as a full proposal (i.e. for an Associate or Diploma program) but on a smaller scale. The proposal must include expected enrollment, program objectives, student learning outcomes, curriculum, facilities, equipment, personnel, and a justification for program based on need.

c.  Program Length: Certificate programs require a minimum of eight semester hour credits but will not exceed forty semester hour credits as outlined in SBTCE Procedure 3-1-101.1, Structure of Associate Degree, Diploma, and Certificate Programs. Unless clearly labeled as advanced certificates, course requirements and total hours should include all college-level courses, including college-level prerequisites. Certificates with titles including “Advanced” or “II” (or other indications that previous college coursework is required) do not have to include all college-level prerequisites but should have clearly-stated admission requirements.

d.  Curriculum: The proposal should demonstrate that each course contributes directly to the objectives and student learning outcomes for the program. The developer may use existing courses in the Institutional or the SBTCE Catalog of Approved Courses. The developer may create new courses to be added to the State CAC by the Assistant Vice President. Non-credit courses should not be a part of the proposed curriculum (except as prerequisites) and should not be included in total hours. All courses in the certificate must be embedded in the degree program, unless there is strong industry need for a standalone certificate (related to a degree or diploma, but not all courses are embedded).

e.  Admissions: The manner in which applicants for admission to the program will be evaluated and qualified should be defined. This may include an interview by the Program Coordinator or other designated person, established College admissions procedures, or other procedures as may be appropriate.

f.  Cost Analysis: A summary of costs to include new faculty, equipment, learning resources, and facilities should be provided.  Anticipated revenues should also be indicated as appropriate.

g. Institutional Approval:

    • The developer submits a copy of the proposal to the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs.
    • After review, the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs reviews the proposal with the SACSCOC liaison to determine if the program will require a Substantive Change Report.
    • The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs submits the proposal to the Curriculum Committee for review and recommendations.
    • The Curriculum Committee recommends approval or disapproval of the proposal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    • Upon approval, the Vice President for Academic Affairs presents the proposal to the President.
    • Upon approval, the President submits the proposal to the Area Commission for approval.
    • The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs sends the program to SBTCE for assignment of curriculum code and CIP code.
    • The SACSCOC liaison sends notification of the program to SACSCOC for inclusion in the scope of TTC’s accreditation, if the program is a substantive change.
    • The Office of Financial Aid submits the program for Veterans Assistance and federal financial aid.

     C.  Associate Degree and Diploma Programs

a.  After discussing the concept for a new program with the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs, the developer works with Institutional Research to conduct a needs assessment to establish regional need for the program. Results of a formal needs assessment survey of prospective employers must also be included.

b.  Proposal Development: The program manager will develop a written proposal with guidance from the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs and following the guidelines provided by the SC Technical College System office.

c.  Proposal Content: Each proposal must contain the following elements as described in the CHE Policy and Procedures Concerning New Programs Manual: cover page; classification; justification; enrollment; curriculum; faculty; physical plant; equipment; library resources; accreditation, approval, licensure, or certification; estimated cost; and institutional approval.

d.  Institutional Approval:

    • The developer submits a copy of the proposal to the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs.
    • After review, the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs reviews the proposal with the SACSCOC liaison to determine if the program will require a Substantive Change Report.
    • The Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs submits the proposal to the Curriculum Committee for review and recommendations.
    • The Curriculum Committee recommends approval or disapproval of the proposal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    • Upon approval, the Vice President for Academic Affairs presents the proposal to the President.
    • Upon approval, the President submits the proposal to the Area Commission for approval.
    • On approval of the Area Commission, the Assistant Vice President of Academic Programs submits the proposal to SBTCE, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
    • On approval of  the Area Commission, the SACSCOC liaison sends notification of the program to SACSCOC for inclusion in the scope of TTC’s accreditation, if the proposal is a substantive change.

e.  SBTCE and CHE Approval: The SBTCE and CHE approval processes, with time lines, are contained in the CHE Policy and Procedures Concerning New Programs Manual.

 

Updated: 11-06-2007

Updated: 01-30-2013

Updated: 04-06-2018

Updated: 07-31-2020

Updated: 03-09-2026