Curriculum Process and Forms

College and State Constituencies with Curricular Responsibility

Outlines of the curriculum approval process are provided in the VCCS Table 5-3 and the VCCS Curriculum Process documents. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

College Constituencies

Curricular actions must pass through several internal steps at the college. The following college constituencies usually participate in curriculum development.

College Administration

The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA) is responsible for overall coordination and implementation of the curriculum process for credit curricula and credit courses. They also oversee the approval of recommendations for curriculum modifications.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is responsible for overall coordination and implementation of academic policy and the review of recommendations for new and discontinued curricula advanced by the Curriculum Committee through the AVPAA. Upon recommendation of the VPAA, the AVPAA reviews and approves proposals for new and revised academic policies.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee is a faculty governance body composed primarily of teaching faculty. They review proposals for new and revised courses and programs as well as course and curricula discontinuance requests. They also evaluate academic policy proposals, review and recommend updates to the Curriculum Handbook annually and provide feedback on program prioritization and related processes. Their recommendations are submitted to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA), who may forward them to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Chief Academic Officer (Vice President) for final approval.

Division Administration

Academic Deans are responsible for the administration of academic programs and credit courses. Academic Deans review proposals for new or revised curricula to be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee, if appropriate.

Program Advisory Committees (PACs)

Local program advisory committees composed of community representatives must be utilized in the establishment, development and evaluation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) curricula. CTE Faculty nominate new members to the respective Academic Dean. The Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services (CISS) Committee of the VPCC Local Board reviews all nominations submitted by the Vice President. The President appoints nominees approved by the Board.

Program and Discipline Faculty

The Discipline and Program Faculty provide curricular coordination of the discipline and program, respectively, including its development and delivery. Discipline and Program Faculty are composed of all full-time faculty within a specific discipline or program. Adjunct faculty may be included in this work but cannot be required to participate in curriculum development. In the career and technical disciplines, appropriate representatives from business and industry may be invited to participate. In those curricula where there may be multiple disciplines involved, the faculty from the involved disciplines participate in curricular development. In short, VPCC faculty members are expected to lead in the revision of existing and development of new curriculum.

VPCC College Board

The VPCC College Board reviews all proposals to initiate or discontinue programs. The Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services Committee (CISS) of the Board considers matters pertaining to instructional programs, program advisory committees, and community service programs.

State and Regional Constituencies

As part of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), VPCC abides by VCCS policies. The VCCS is part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s system of higher education, which is coordinated by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Academic and Student Affairs Council

The Academic and Student Affairs Council (ASAC) advises the Vice Chancellor for Academic Services and Research on policy issues. The Council includes the academic and student services vice presidents, their associate vice presidents and provosts from the 23 community colleges in the system. The Academic and Student Affairs Council has several subcommittees whose work may influence VPCC curricular decisions. The Educational Programs Committee considers academic policy issues. The Course Review Committee, which include deans from each general curricular area (e.g. allied health, natural sciences, humanities) and the chair of the Educational Programs Committee, review proposals for new and revised courses. The Faculty Issues Committee, the Student Services Committee, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and the Distance Learning Committee may also make recommendations that impact VPCC’s educational programs.

Academic and Workforce Programs

Academic and Workforce Programs is the unit of the VCCS central office that deals with system-wide review of academic policy, curricula, and courses. This unit is headed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Programs and staffed by individuals who assist with planning academic programs and major initiatives such as dual enrollment and articulation with senior institutions. Staff in this office maintain the Master Course File (MCF), which is an online list of all courses approved for current use by any VCCS institution.

Program Accreditation

Some career and technical programs participate in specialized accreditation offered by professional organizations. In some cases, this accreditation is required to enable graduates of the program to enter the workforce and/or be eligible for certification and licensure. Specialized accreditation does not relieve a program of the state, college, and regional requirements.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional accrediting body in the Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and Latin America for those institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master, or doctoral degrees. VPCC is accredited by SACSCOC. To maintain this accreditation, the college must comply with the standards for educational programs as specified in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, which include compliance with the policies of the Commission on Colleges.

State Board for Community Colleges

The State Board for Community Colleges is the regulatory board for the VCCS. New diploma, certificate, and associate degree programs must be approved by the State Board

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Degree programs new to the College must be approved by SCHEV, which also requires periodic evaluation of all programs and assessment of student learning. SCHEV also promotes articulation among VCCS institutions and senior institutions in Virginia. SCHEV staff members and VCCS and senior institution colleagues coordinate the State Committee on Transfer.

Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

State policies regarding curricula are found in Section 5 of the VCCS Policy Manual. The two major groups at the VCCS with curricular responsibility are Academic and Workforce Programs and Academic and Student Affairs Council. Please see above definitions for details or refer to Policy 5.0 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

Curriculum Structure and Definitions

Curriculum Structure

SCHEV and the VCCS organize curricula across multiple levels. At the broadest level is the program, defined by a six-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code from the National Center for Education Statistics and used for external reporting. In some cases, curricula the college considers as separate programs, such as Accounting and Business Management, share the same CIP code and are therefore considered a single program for SCHEV productivity and reporting purposes.

Within each program are one or more majors. A major may be a degree or certificate and each is assigned a distinct VCCS code. Degree programs are structured curricula that lead to the award of an associate degree and appear on the student’s diploma. VPCC offers five degree types: Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), Associate of Applied Arts (AAA) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

Only courses numbered 100 and above may be used to meet degree requirements. AA, AS and AFA degrees shall only require courses commonly accepted for transfer. For the VCCS requirements please refer to Table 5-1 Minimum Requirements for Associate Degrees in the VCCS, incorporate SACSCOC requirements and those requirements defined by the College.

Curriculum and Program Oversight

Faculty shall ensure academic courses and programs are coherent, current and aligned with the college mission and goals and workforce/transfer demands. Faculty shall ensure programs contain essential curricular components, such as general education coursework, and that content and pedagogy are appropriate.

Faculty shall develop student learning outcomes for each program, determine how and when to assess the outcomes, review findings, and determine and implement changes needed to foster student learning. The Office of Analytics and Planning (OAP) shall coordinate this program assessment.

All courses and programs offered through distance education will maintain the same rigor and meet the same learning outcomes as on-campus courses and programs.

The faculty responsible for these elements shall be qualified in fields appropriate to the curricular content and award level of the academic program.

Program Advisory Committees (PACs)

Academic Deans shall oversee or delegate to program leads the formation and operation of Program Advisory Committees (PACs) composed of community representatives for all programs, unless stackable into another program at the college. In accordance with procedures contained in the PAC Handbook, PAC facilitators shall ensure PACs meet at least twice in an academic year and post membership rosters and reports documenting completion of PAC objectives.

Definitions

Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)

The AAA degree is awarded for completion of two-year curricula designed to prepare students to work in the arts. These degrees have specific occupational objectives.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

The AAS degree is awarded for completion of two-year career/technical curricula that are designed to prepare students for employment immediately following graduation. Some AAS degree programs require a summer term and, in exceptional cases, two summer terms may be required. In no case can the program extend beyond 24 calendar months of full-time study.

Associate of Arts (AA)

The AA degree is awarded for the completion of a two-year curriculum in Liberal Arts. The AA degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year degree-granting institutions for completion of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. A significant portion of the AA degree is in general education, including foreign language through the intermediate level, and is typical of the first two years of a BA program.

Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)

The AFA degree is awarded for completion of two-year curricula in the fine and performing arts. The AFA degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year degree-granting institutions for completion of a degree in fine arts, visual and/or performing arts. A significant portion of the AFA degree is in general education that is typical of the first two years at a four-year institution.

Associate of Science (AS)

The AS degree is awarded for completion of two-year curricula in a variety of pre-professional programs. The AS degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year degree-granting institutions for completion of a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. A significant portion of the AS degree is in general education that is typical of the first two years of a BS program.

Career Studies Certificate (CSC)

A career studies certificate is awarded for a short (9-29 credit) program of study, typically one that may be finished in less than one year. Career studies certificate programs are not required to include general education. Career studies programs may be designed to develop and enhance job and life skills; retrain existing employees for career change; or facilitate the investigation of career possibilities.

Certificate

A certificate is awarded for completing a career or technical curriculum that is less than two years in length. Most certificate programs prepare students for a specific job or specialized area within a field. Some certificates represent the first year of an associate degree program, allowing credits earned in the certificate to apply toward the degree. VCCS policy permits certificate programs to range from 30 to 59 credit hours; however, a VCCS credit audit strongly recommends that programs require between 30 and 35 credit hours. At least 15% of the total credit hours in a certificate program must be general education coursework, including a minimum of one three-credit English course.

Major

A major is a grouping of 100- and 200-level courses that define a discipline or interdisciplinary specialty within a degree program. Each major is listed under the parent degree’s CIP code and identified by a VCCS curriculum code. All curricula within a CIP code share a common core of courses, consisting of at least 25% of the total credits required for the degree (typically 15–18 credits), excluding general education requirements.

Specialization

A specialization is a collection of courses that vary by 9–15 credit hours from the major requirements of the degree program under which the parent major is classified. Specializations are only permitted within existing major programs and are designed to provide students with a special emphasis within a degree major. Data related to specializations are not reported separately from the parent major to the VCCS or SCHEV.

Passport

Passport, a milestone within the Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS), consists of a 16-semester-hour subset of courses. All colleges are required to offer the Passport, and each VCCS college must provide at least one course in each Passport block selected from the Passport Course Roster posted on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) website. Only courses completed with a grade of “C” or better after May 2020 may be applied to the Passport.

Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS)

Effective summer 2021, the Uniform Certificate of General Studies is a one-year curriculum of study that consists of 30-32 semester hours where all courses shall be transferrable and satisfy a lower-division general education requirement at any public institution of higher learning, except as approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The courses in the UCGS may satisfy the general education requirement without having a specific course equivalent at the receiving institution. All colleges must offer the UCGS. Each VCCS college shall offer at least one course in each category of each block of the UCGS, chosen from the UCGS Course Roster posted to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) website. Only courses completed with a “C” or better after May 2020 may be applied to the UCGS.

VCCS General Education Competencies

The VCCS Policy Manual Section 5.0.2 states: “Associate degree programs provide a coherent, shared experience for students to develop the general education core competencies expected of them as college-educated individuals. General education, as an integrated and cohesive whole, provides the educational foundation necessary to promote intellectual and personal development. Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates of Virginia's Community Colleges will demonstrate competency in student learning outcomes (SLOs) determined and assessed by each college in:”

Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both as social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society.
Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas, and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.
Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education.
Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings.
Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to use the scientific method, and to evaluate empirical information.
Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms.

Per VCCS Policy 5.0.2, each college is responsible for identifying appropriate learning outcomes for each of these competencies and for assessing those outcomes in accordance with SACSCOC accreditation standards and SCHEV policy. All teaching faculty shall participate in General Education Assessment (GEA).

VCCS Academic Program Requirements

For more information on Academic Program Requirements, see VCCS Policy 5.01 Educational Programs – Curricula.

Associate’s Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

See Table Below and VCCS Policy 5.01 for information on General Education requirements:

	Minimum Number of Semester Hour Credits
General Education:	(1)AA	(2)AS	(3)AFA	(4) AAA /AAS
Communication	6^(a)	6^(a)	6	3-6
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature	6^(c)	6^(c)	3-9^(b)	3-6
Social/Behavioral Sciences	6^(d)	6^(d)	3-9	3-6
Natural Sciences	4	4-8	4	0-6^(e)
Mathematics	3	3-6	3	0-6^(e)
Institutional Specific General Education Courses	5-6	5-6	0	0
Total for General Education =	30-31	30-38	19-28	15^(g)
Other Requirements for Associate Degrees:
Student Development	1-2	1-2	1-2	1-2
Transfer Core^(f) (columns 1-3) Career/technical courses (column 4)	27-32	20-32	34-43	43-53

Total for Degree=	60-63	60-63^(h)	60-63	60-69^(h)
Notes: ^(a) Each of the courses in communication must be in written communication. ^(b)One course in humanities/fine arts for the Fine Arts major must be a literature course. ^(c)Each of the two courses cannot be from the same discipline area (e.g. humanities). ^(d) One course in social/behavioral sciences must be a history course and the second required course cannot be history. ^(e)A total of 3-6 semester hours is required in either natural sciences and/or mathematics for the AAA and AAS. ^(f)Transfer core includes additional general education and/or major courses. ^(g)As specified above, degree programs must contain a minimum of 15 semester hours of general education as defined by SACSCOC. ^(h)See Policy 5.1.0.0.4.6 for exceptions to the total credits allowed.

Major Area Requirements

Includes courses in the major and supporting disciplines.
AAS and AAA degrees must share a common core within the CIP code.
Common core must equal 25% of degree credits (15–18 credits), excluding general education.

Degree Credit Hour Limits

AA and AS degrees: 60–63 credits (60–61 preferred).
AAA and AAS degrees: 60–69 credits (67 preferred maximum).
Health Sciences programs: 60–72 credits (67 preferred maximum).
Engineering AS: 60–72 credits (67 preferred maximum).
Exceptions require VCCS Chancellor approval.

Semester Credit Limits

Fall/Spring semesters:
- Maximum 18 credits.
- Up to 19 credits if SDV 100 is included.
Summer terms:
- Maximum 10 credits.

Certificate Requirements

General Requirements

Certificates may only include 100- and 200-level courses.

General Education Requirements

At least 15% of certificate credits must be general education.
Must include at least one 3-credit English composition course.
Additional general education courses must be outside the major discipline.

Certificate Credit Hour Limits

Minimum 30 credits.
Maximum 59 credits.
30–35 credits preferred by VCCS audit standards.
Semester limits:
- 18 credits max in fall/spring.
- 19 credits allowed with SDV 100.
- 10 credits max in summer.

Career Studies Certificate Requirements

General Education

General education courses are not required.

CSC Credit Hour Limits

Minimum 9 credits.
Maximum 29 credits.
Programs should remain short for quick workforce training.
Programs under 16 credits may not qualify for federal financial aid.

General VCCS Academic Program Requirements

Course Titles and Descriptions

Course titles must clearly relate to the discipline/prefix.
Titles should not duplicate existing courses unless sequenced.
Avoid:
- Unclear abbreviations
- Specific software names
- Licensure/certification references
Course descriptions must:
- Be written for system-wide use
- Include minimum standards and competencies

Course Hour Definitions

“Lecture” includes:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Discussions
“Laboratory” includes:
- Labs
- Clinical training
- Supervised work experiences
- Similar practical instruction

VPCC Additional Hour Types

“Clinical” hours may be used for clinical training.
“Studio” hours may replace laboratory hours for studio arts courses.

Variable Credit Rules

A college may request that a course vary from the existing credit value, but by no more than one credit.
Existing variable credit ranges may not be extended.
Variable credit offerings are generally limited to:
- Internships
- Cooperative education
- Similar experiences

Lecture Credit Standards

1 lecture credit = 800 instructional minutes including examinations.
Based on 50-minute academic/contact hours.

Laboratory Credit Standards

2–5 academic hours of lab/clinical/work experience typically equal 1 semester credit hour.

Approved Course Information

All colleges must use VCCS-approved course information.
Transfer and dual enrollment designations must appear in catalogs/websites.
Colleges may add a final clarifying sentence to descriptions when needed.

VPCC Course Content Summary & Syllabus Requirements

Course Content Summaries

Must include all required components.
Must support at least one General Education Core Competency.
Course Content Summary Form

Syllabus Requirements

Faculty must utilize the Simple Syllabus template in Canvas each semester.
Faculty add section-specific information.
Syllabi must be assessable in Canvas to:
- Students
- Academic Deans
- By the first day of class
Syllabus policies must align with college policies.
College policies override conflicting syllabus information.
Academic Dean may require additional syllabus content.
Academic Dean must retain syllabi for one year after the semester ends.

General Information for Creating New Programs

New Programs

There must be ample justification for the creation of new curricula based upon the needs and opportunities of the state or region served by the college. In determining the curricula to be offered in the VCCS, the State Board shall take cognizance of the varying needs of the communities served throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the substantiated requests of interested local governing bodies, employers, and individuals. The VCCS approval process for new programs is summarized in VCCS Table 5-3 and the VCCS Curriculum Process documents. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

New AA, AS, AFA, AAA, AFA, AAS Degree or Certificate Program

A new degree program that includes content in a discipline or field not currently offered by the institution requires SCHEV approval as a new degree program with a separate CIP code. A new Certificate program (consisting of at least 30 credits) requires SCHEV approval. All new degree programs, new Certificate programs and all health-related proposals, new or spin-off, must be reviewed and approved by SCHEV. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual. If the new degree program is substantively different from existing degree programs, approval must be obtained from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC Website

New Specialization within an AAS Degree Program

A new specialization within an existing degree program requires Local Advisory Board approval and VCCS notification; SCHEV approval is not needed. A specialization differs from the parent program by 9-15 credits.

Students cannot graduate from a specialization and a parent degree because the two programs are less than 25% different by definition. Program codes for Specializations are identified by the College. Documentation of an approved specialization is sent to the VCCS for notification and the Department of Education for Financial Aid purposes. By definition, a new specialization is not substantially different from existing programs of study in terms of courses and content. However, if the program requires significant new equipment or will be held at a new site, SACSCOC approval may be needed. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

New Major Within an AA or AS Degree Program

A new major within an existing degree program requires Local Advisory Board approval and VCCS notification; SCHEV approval is not needed. A major is a group of 100 and 200-level courses that define a discipline or interdisciplinary specialty. It is listed under a common CIP code and identified by a VCCS curriculum code. All curricula under a CIP code share a common core of courses defined as 25% of total credits required for the degree, excluding the general education core. Program codes for Majors are identified by the College. Documentation of an approved major is sent to the VCCS for notification and the Department of Education for Financial Aid purposes. By definition, a new major is not substantially different from existing programs of study in terms of courses and content. However, if the program requires significant new equipment or will be held at a new site, SACSCOC approval may be needed. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

New Career Studies Certificate Program

All new career studies certificate proposals must be reviewed and approved by the VPCC Curriculum Committee and Local Advisory Board. Notification of approved career studies certificates is sent to the VCCS to obtain a program code and to the Department of Education for Financial Aid purposes. Any new career studies certificate that represents a substantive change must receive SACSCOC approval prior to implementation. Please refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

New and Revised Courses

New and revised course procedures are used when faculty propose a new VCCS course, revise an existing course within the Master Course File (MCF), activate an existing VCCS course at VPCC, create a general usage course, or modify local prerequisites/co-requisites. These processes ensure that courses support curriculum and workforce needs, align with VCCS policies and course requirements, avoid unnecessary duplication, and maintain appropriate academic rigor and transferability. Depending on the type of course action, proposals may require review by discipline faculty, Academic Deans, the Curriculum Committee, Academic Affairs and the VCCS Deans’ Course Review Committee (DCRC).

Proposal for New or Revised VCCS Course

Important Considerations

Review the VCCS Master Course File (MCF) to determine whether a similar course already exists before proposing a new course including prefixes and keywords.
Ensure the proposed course or revision supports curriculum outcomes, transfer pathways, workforce needs and/or community demand.
Courses should not substantially duplicate existing VCCS or VPCC offerings.
Verify that prerequisites and co-requisites are appropriate and compliant with VCCS requirements.
Courses proposed for general education or transfer use should be evaluated for transferability to four-year institutions.
Discipline faculty, Academic Deans, and VCCS peers should be consulted early in the process.
Program Advisory Committee support should be obtained when proposals impact career and technical programs.
Ensure sufficient faculty, library, equipment, and instructional resources are available to support the course.
All proposed courses must comply with VCCS course requirements and support at least one General Education Core Competency.
Revisions involving course descriptions, credits, prefixes, or MCF requisites require review by the VCCS Deans’ Course Review Committee (DCRC).
When a faculty developer proposes a change to an approved course description, its credit hours, requisites as listed in the VCCS MCF, or its prefix, a course revision within the MCF may be proposed.

Timeline for New and Revised VCCS Courses

The development and review process for implementing a new VCCS course usually requires a minimum of 6 months from start to implementation and 3 months for revisions.
Proposals for new and revised courses due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist three weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for New and Revised VCCS Courses (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for New or Revised Course

Faculty reviews the need for the new or revised course with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine whether a similar course already exists in the VCCS Master Course File (MCF) if new.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a new or revised course proposal is being developed and begins obtaining support from VCCS peers.

Review Course Requirements

The faculty developer reviews Course Approval Guidelines for the Deans’ Course Review Committee and VCCS course requirements in the Curriculum Handbook or refer to Policy 5.02 Section of VCCS Policy Manual.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for New and Revised VCCS Courses.

Approve Requisites (If Applicable)

If local prerequisites or co-requisites are proposed, discipline faculty vote on the proposal and required approvals are completed.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Once the proposal documentation has been vetted, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the documents to the Curriculum Committee who then reviews the proposed course and recommends approval or disapproval. If approval is denied, the Curriculum Committee must provide rational to the faculty developer and Academic Dean. The faculty developer and Academic Dean can then choose to revise or abandon the request. However, the AVPAA has the authority to override a denied proposal if they choose. If approved, the proposal documentation is submitted to the VPAA.

Administrative Approval

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to the VPAA who then reviews the Curriculum Committee’s recommendation and documents. If the proposal documentation is denied by the VPAA, the faculty developer and Academic Dean can then choose to revise or abandon the request. If approved, the VPAA submits the proposal documentation to the College President for review and signature.

VCCS and DCRC Submission/Review

Once the proposal documentation is approved at the VPCC level, the Curriculum Specialist or the AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to the VCCS. VCCS will then submit the proposal documentation to the Deans’ Course Review Committee (DCRC) who then reviews the proposal documentation and signatures. If denied, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA will inform the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the DCRC, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Proposal for Activating Existing VCCS Course

When an active VCCS course is not offered at the college, a faculty developer may propose for its activation.

Timeline for Activating Existing VCCS Course

The development and review process for activating an existing VCCS course requires a minimum of 2 months from start to implementation.
Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Activating Existing VCCS Courses (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for Activation

Faculty reviews the need for a course activation with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine whether there is adequate support to move forward with the activation of an existing VCCS course.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a course activation proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for Activating Existing VCCS Courses.

Approve Requisites (If Applicable)

If local prerequisites or co-requisites are proposed, discipline faculty vote on the proposal and required approvals are completed.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee and/or the AVPAA, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Proposal for Revising a Local Prerequisite/Co-requisite

Faculty at the College may elect to add or remove local prerequisite/co-requisite requirements to active College courses. Minimum prerequisite/co-requisite requirements are identified in the Master Course File (MCF), but faculty can elect to include additional course prerequisite/co-requisite requirements if they deem them necessary.

Timeline for Revising a Local Prerequisite/Co-requisite

The development and review process for updating a local course prerequisite/co-requisite is two weeks.
Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to the Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Revising a Local Prerequisite/Co-requisite (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Verify Requisite Requirements

Faculty developer reviews the requisite requirements in the VCCS Master Course File (MCF). Minimum prerequisite/co-requisite requirements identified in the MCF cannot be removed.

Review Need for Local Prerequisite/Co-requisite

Faculty reviews the need for the proposed prerequisite/co-requisite with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine whether there is adequate support to move forward.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a local prerequisite/co-requisite proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for Revising a Local Prerequisite/Co-requisite.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee and/or the AVPAA, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel for summer term implementation.

General Usage Courses

General usage courses are temporary courses developed to address emerging workforce, business, agency, instructional, or exploratory needs when an appropriate active VCCS course does not exist. A 195 or 295 course may be used to address short-term or immediate training needs and may be offered for up to two years. A 193 or 293 course is used to explore new content or instructional methods and may be offered for a maximum of two semesters. Depending on the type of course requested, proposals may require Curriculum Committee review prior to activation.

Proposal for Creating General Usage Course

Important Considerations

General usage courses should only be proposed when no appropriate active VCCS course exists.
195/295 courses are intended for temporary workforce or community training needs.
193/293 courses are intended for pilot or exploratory instructional purposes.
195/295 courses may be offered for a maximum of two years.
193/293 courses may be offered for a maximum of two semesters.
Proposed requisites require faculty review and approval through the college’s requisite approval process.
Course content summaries must include all required course components.
193/293 courses require Curriculum Committee review prior to activation.
Additional library, equipment, or instructional resources should be identified prior to submission.

Timeline for Creating a General Usage Courses

The development and review process for activating a General Usage 195/295 course typically requires a minimum of 2 weeks from start to implementation.
The development and review process for activating a General Usage 193/293 course typically requires a minimum of 2 months.

Document Checklist for Creating General Usage Course Courses (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for General Usage Course

Faculty reviews the need for the general use with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine the purpose and appropriate course type (193/293 or 195/295).

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a general usage course proposal is being developed and begins obtaining support from VCCS peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for Creating General Usage Course Courses.

Approve Requisites (If Applicable)

If local prerequisites or co-requisites are proposed, discipline faculty vote on the proposal and required approvals are completed.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

If approved, the Academic Dean submits the proposal documents to the Curriculum Specialist through the Academic Affairs Curriculum Submission Form. The Curriculum Specialist then reviews the proposal for compliance and administrative issues. If approved and the proposal is for a 195/295 course, the process skips to step 8. Approved 193/293 course proposals are referred to the Curriculum Committee for review.

Curriculum Committee Review (193/293 Only)

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the AVPAA, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Discontinuances

The discontinuance of academic programs, majors, specializations, certificates, career studies certificates and courses is governed by procedures established by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the State Board for Community Colleges, SCHEV, and SACSCOC. Program discontinuance may occur because of low enrollment, changes in workforce demand, program duplication, financial considerations, curriculum restructuring, or strategic institutional priorities.

All discontinuance proposals must undergo appropriate local and state review to ensure students are protected through teach-out planning, accreditation requirements are met, and all required notifications and approvals are completed before the program is removed from the college catalog or admissions process.

Proposal for Degree Program, Certificates, Career Studies Certificate (CSC) and Specialization Discontinuances

Important Considerations

Program closure is defined by SACSCOC as closing a program to new admissions or entry, not the end of instruction.
A teach-out plan must be submitted to SACSCOC before a program may officially close to new students.
Discontinuance decisions should involve Academic Affairs, faculty, Academic Deans, and Program Advisory Committees (PACs), when applicable.
Programs with specialized accreditation may require notification to the accrediting agency.
Courses associated only with the discontinued program may also require discontinuance.

Timeline for Degree Program, Certificates, CSCs and Specialization Discontinuances

Note: Please note that VCCS only processes discontinuances once a year.

Degree programs: Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.
Certificate: Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.
Career Studies Certificates: Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.
Specializations: Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Degree Program, CSCs and Specialization Discontinuances (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Note: For CSCs and Specializations, the VCCS Discontinuance Form is the only form needed

Steps

Review Need for Discontinuance

Faculty reviews the need for the discontinuance with discipline faculty and all applicable parties including the appropriate Academic Dean. The Academic Dean obtains a list of active students in the program from SIS and graduation data from the last 5 years.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that discontinuance proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for Degree Program, Certificates, Career Studies Certificate (CSC) and Specialization Discontinuances.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Review

The Academic Dean submits the proposal documentation to the PAC who then reviews the proposal and recommends referral to Academic Affairs.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to the VPAA who then reviews the Curriculum Committee’s recommendation and documents. If the proposal documentation is denied by the VPAA, the faculty developer and Academic Dean can then choose to revise or abandon the request. If approved, the Curriculum Specialist submits the proposal documentation to the College Board’s Curriculum & Student Development Committee.

College Board Review and Approval

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The College Board then approves or denies the request.

Academic Affairs Special Notifications

Upon College Board approval, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits proposal documentation to VCCS Staff for State Board, SCHEV and SACSCOC approval.

State Board, SCHEV and SACSCOC Review and/or Approval

VCCS staff submit proposal documentation to respective agencies for review, notification and/or approval and notifies the Curriculum Specialist of the status.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the State Board and any special agencies, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Proposal for Course Discontinuances

Courses shall be deactivated in the VCCS MCF when they have not been offered in the System for a three-year period or for other justifiable reasons. Similarly, a course is normally discontinued at the college level when it has not been offered for a three-year period and is also not a curriculum requirement, or when there is justifiable cause.

Timeline for Course Discontinuances

At least once annually and usually during the summer, Academic Affairs will develop a list of courses scheduled for discontinuation. The list will be sent to Academic Deans with a minimum of two weeks allowed for feedback and any needed adjustments. Courses discontinued through this process will be shared with the Curriculum Committee as an informational item.

Steps

Review Need for Discontinuance

Faculty reviews the need for the discontinuance with discipline faculty the appropriate Academic Dean.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a course discontinuance is needed once there is adequate support from peers.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Curriculum Committee Notification

The Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA will update the Curriculum Committee meeting as an informational item.

Career Studies Certificates (CSCs)

Per VCCS, a career studies certificate program is defined as a program of study of not less than 9 nor more than 29 semester credit hours which may include courses numbered 10-299. Career studies certificate programs are not required to include general education. Final approval usually rests with the Local Board.

The Department of Education examines certain criteria when determining financial aid eligibility for Career Studies programs. Career Studies Certificates must be at least 16 semester hours if they are fully applicable to an Associate Degree. If the program is not fully applicable to an Associate Degree, it must be 600 or more clock hours (generally equivalent to 16 or more credit hours) and must lead to a specific vocation.

Proposal for New or Modified CSCs

Important Considerations

A new program with 50-100% new content is a significant departure from the institution’s existing programs and is considered a substantive change which requires SACSCOC approval prior to implementation.
A new program with 25-49% new content is a significant departure from the institution’s existing programs and requires SACSCOC notification prior to implementation.
Initiating a program requiring students to possess prior learning as a condition of admission requires notification to SACSCOC by VPCC’s SACSCOC liaison prior to implementation.
If SACSCOC approval or notification is required, the timeline below does not account for the additional time needed.
For a modification, a change in program length requires SACSCOC approval prior to implementation if:
- Program credit hours increase or decrease by 25% or more.
- Students’ expected time to completion increases or decreases by more than one term.

Timeline for New and Modified CSCs

Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for New and Modified CSCs (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for New or Modified CSC

Faculty reviews the need for the proposed course with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine composition of the new CSC. In most cases, CSCs should be linked to certificates and/or degree programs.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a new or modified CSC proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for New and Modified CSCs.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Review

The Academic Dean submits the proposal documentation to the PAC who then reviews the proposal and recommends referral to Academic Affairs.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

If approved, the Academic Dean submits the proposal documents to the Curriculum Specialist through the Academic Affairs Curriculum Submission Form. The Curriculum Specialist then reviews the proposal for compliance and administrative issues. The Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA determines if the new curriculum represents a potential substantive change. If so, Institutional Effectiveness and Transformation is contacted and SACSCOC is notified if deemed necessary. Otherwise, the Curriculum Specialist forwards the proposal documents to the Curriculum Committee.

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to the VPAA who then reviews the Curriculum Committee’s recommendation and documents. If the proposal documentation is denied by the VPAA, the faculty developer and Academic Dean can then choose to revise or abandon the request. If approved, the Curriculum Specialist submits the proposal documentation to the College Board for review if it’s a new CSC and if it’s a revision, it moves to step 10.

College Board Review and Approval (New CSCs Only)

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The full College Board then approves or denies the request.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the College Board, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Certificates

Certificate programs are curricula of study less than two years in length consisting of 30–59 semester credit hours and designed primarily to prepare students for employment in a specific career or technical field. Certificate proposals may involve creating a new certificate program or modifying an existing certificate to reflect workforce needs, transfer requirements, accreditation standards, assessment findings, curriculum alignment, or changes within related degree programs. Depending on the scope of the proposal, approvals may be required through the College Board, VCCS, SCHEV, SACSCOC, or other agencies prior to implementation.

Proposal for New and Modified Certificates

Important Considerations

Certificate programs must contain between 30 and 59 credit hours, with 30–35 credits recommended by VCCS.
A minimum of 15% of certificate credits must be general education coursework.
Certificate programs must include at least one three-credit English course, typically ENG 111.
Certificate programs should generally be linked to an existing degree program.
Proposals should support workforce, transfer, accreditation, assessment, or programmatic needs.
New courses proposed in support of the certificate must follow applicable course approval procedures.
Significant curriculum revisions or changes in program length may require SACSCOC substantive change approval or notification.
Program Advisory Committee review is required for career and technical programs.
Transfer-related proposals may require consultation with transfer institutions.
Catalog, SIS, admissions, advising, and marketing materials may require updates following approval.
Timeline for New and Modified Certificates
Proposals for new certificates Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date and 3 weeks for revisions.

Document Checklist for New and Modified Certificates (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for New or Modified Certificate

Faculty reviews the need for the new or modified certificate with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine composition of the new program. In most cases, certificates should be linked to degree programs.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a new or modified certificate proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for New and Modified Certificates.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the Curriculum Committee, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Degree Programs

Degree programs are curricula leading to the award of an associate degree and are designed to support transfer preparation, workforce development, or specialized academic study. VPCC offers Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), Associate of Applied Arts (AAA), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Proposals for new degree programs must demonstrate student demand, workforce or transfer relevance, resource availability, and alignment with VCCS, SCHEV, and SACSCOC requirements. Depending on the type and scope of the proposed program, approvals may be required through the College Board, VCCS, SCHEV, State Board, and SACSCOC prior to implementation. Modifications to a degree program are used to revise existing degree curricula in response to workforce needs, transfer requirements, accreditation standards, curriculum alignment, assessment findings, or changes within related academic programs. Modifications may include changes to program requirements, course sequencing, electives, total credits, specializations, or curriculum structure. Depending on the scope of the proposed revisions, modifications may require review or notification through VCCS, SCHEV, SACSCOC, the State Board, or other external agencies prior to implementation.

Proposal for New or Modified Degree Programs

Important Considerations

Degree programs must comply with VCCS credit hour, general education, and curriculum requirements.
AA, AS, and AFA degrees are designed primarily for transfer preparation.
AAA and AAS degrees are designed primarily for workforce preparation.
Degree proposals should demonstrate workforce demand, transfer need, or student interest.
New degree programs may require approval through VCCS, SCHEV, the State Board, and SACSCOC.
Programs involving significant new content may require SACSCOC substantive change approval or notification.
Program Advisory Committee review is required for career and technical programs.
Transfer degree proposals may require consultation with transfer institutions.
New courses proposed in support of the degree must follow applicable course approval procedures.
Adequate faculty, facilities, equipment, library, and instructional resources must be available to support the program.
Catalog, SIS, admissions, advising, and marketing materials may require updates following approval.

Timeline for New and Modified Degree Programs

Proposals for new degree program due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date and three weeks prior for revisions.

Document Checklist for New and Modified Degree Programs (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for New or Modified Degree Program

Faculty reviews the need for the new or modified degree program with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine composition of the new program.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a new or modified degree program proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for New and Modified Degree Programs.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Review

The Academic Dean submits the proposal documentation to the PAC who then reviews the proposal and recommends referral to Academic Affairs.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

If approved, the Academic Dean submits the proposal documents to the Curriculum Specialist through the Academic Affairs Curriculum Submission Form. The Curriculum Specialist then reviews the proposal for compliance and administrative issues. The Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA will also contact VCCS staff and the VP of Institutional Effectiveness and Transformation so SACSCOC will be notified of the proposal.

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

College Board Review and Approval

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The College Board then approves or denies the request.

State Board Review and Approval

Once approved, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to VCCS staff for State Board approval.

SCHEV Review and Approval

Once approved, VCCS staff notifies the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA that the proposal documentation is ready for SCHEV submission and submits documentation to SCHEV. SCHEV confirms receipt of proposal at least six months prior to program implementation.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the SCHEV, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Specializations

Specializations are areas of concentration within approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Applied Arts (AAA) degree programs that provide students with a focused area of study within the parent major. Specializations must vary from the parent degree by 9–15 credit hours and are not reported separately from the parent degree to SCHEV or the VCCS. Proposals may involve creating a new specialization or modifying an existing specialization to reflect workforce needs, industry standards, accreditation requirements, curriculum alignment, or changes within the parent degree program.

Proposal for a Specialization of an Existing Degree Program or Modifying a Specialization

Important Considerations

Specializations are only permitted within existing AAA or AAS degree programs.
Specializations must vary from the parent degree by 9–15 credit hours.
Specializations are not reported separately from the parent degree to SCHEV or VCCS.
Proposed specializations or modifications should support workforce, industry, or programmatic needs.
Changes to the specialization must remain aligned with the parent degree requirements.
New courses proposed in support of the specialization must follow applicable course approval procedures.
Program Advisory Committee review is required for career and technical programs.
Significant curriculum changes may require SACSCOC review or notification.
Catalog, SIS, advising, and admissions materials may require updates following approval.

Timeline for a Specialization of an Existing Degree Program or Modifying a Specialization

Proposals for a Specialization of an Existing Degree Program and Modifying a Specialization due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist two weeks prior to the Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Specialization of an Existing Degree Program or Modifying a Specialization (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for Specialization of an Existing Degree Programs or Modification of a Specialization

Faculty reviews the need for the specialization with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean to determine composition of the new specialization.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a specialization of an existing degree program or modification of a specialization proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documents

Please see Document Checklist for Specialization of an Existing Degree Program or Modifying a Specialization.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Review

The Academic Dean submits the proposal documentation to the PAC who then reviews the proposal and recommends referral to Academic Affairs.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

College Board Review and Approval (New Specializations Only)

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The full College Board then approves or denies the request.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the College Board, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Transfer Majors

A transfer major is a curriculum within an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree program designed primarily for students who intend to transfer to a four-year college or university. Transfer majors are structured to align with lower-division coursework requirements at senior institutions while supporting statewide transfer policies and articulation agreements. Proposals for new transfer majors should demonstrate student demand, transfer relevance, and alignment with institutional and state transfer goals.

Proposal for a Transfer Major

Important Considerations

Transfer majors are typically offered within AA, AS, or AFA degree programs.
Programs should align with transfer pathways and lower-division requirements at four-year institutions.
Transfer institution consultation and support should be obtained when appropriate.
Courses included in the major should generally be transferable and applicable toward bachelor’s degree completion.
New courses proposed in support of the major must follow applicable course approval procedures.
Proposed programs must comply with VCCS, SCHEV, and SACSCOC requirements.
Significant curriculum changes or substantial new content may require SACSCOC review or notification.
Catalog, SIS, advising, and transfer materials may require updates following approval.

Timeline for Transfer Majors

Proposals Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to the Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Transfer Majors (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for Transfer Major

Faculty reviews the need for the transfer major with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean reviews Transfer Virginia common curricula.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a transfer major proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Document Checklist for Transfer Majors.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Review

The Academic Dean submits the proposal documentation to the PAC who then reviews the proposal and recommends referral to Academic Affairs.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

College Board Review and Approval

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The College Board then approves or denies the request.

State Board Review and Approval

Once approved, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits the proposal documentation to VCCS staff for State Board approval.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by the State Board, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.

Program Name Change and/or CIP Code Changes

Program title changes and CIP code changes are used to revise the official title and/or Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) designation of an existing academic program, specialization, or Career Studies Certificate (CSC). These changes may be necessary to better reflect curriculum content, align with workforce or transfer expectations, improve program clarity, support reporting requirements, or maintain consistency with VCCS, SCHEV, and institutional standards. Depending on the type and scope of the proposed change, additional approvals or notifications through VCCS, SCHEV, SACSCOC, the College Board, or other agencies may be required.

Program Title Change and/or CIP Code Change for Certificates, Degrees, Specializations and Career Studies Certificates

Important Considerations

Transfer majors are typically offered within AA, AS, or AFA degree programs.
Programs should align with transfer pathways and lower-division requirements at four-year institutions.
Transfer institution consultation and support should be obtained when appropriate.
Courses included in the major should generally be transferable and applicable toward bachelor’s degree completion.
New courses proposed in support of the major must follow applicable course approval procedures.
Proposed programs must comply with VCCS, SCHEV, and SACSCOC requirements.
Significant curriculum changes or substantial new content may require SACSCOC review or notification.
Catalog, SIS, advising, and transfer materials may require updates following approval.

Timeline

Proposals for Program Title Change and/or CIP Code Change for Certificates, Degrees, and Diplomas Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist one month prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.
Proposals for Program Title Change and/or CIP Code Change for Specializations and Career Studies Certificates Due to AVPAA and Curriculum Specialist three weeks prior to Curriculum Committee meeting date.

Document Checklist for Program Title Change and/or CIP Code Change for Certificates, Degrees, Specializations and Career Studies Certificates (The asterisk (*) indicates what to turn into Curriculum Specialist)

Steps

Review Need for Title Change and/or CIP Code Change

Faculty reviews the need for the proposed title or CIP code change with discipline faculty and the appropriate Academic Dean.

Notify Academic Affairs

The faculty developer informs the Academic Dean and AVPAA that a title or CIP code change proposal is being developed once there is adequate support from peers.

Prepare Proposal Documentation

Please see Checklist for Program Title Change and/or CIP Code Change for Certificates, Degrees, Specializations and Career Studies Certificates.

Academic Dean Submission/Review

The faculty developer submits documentation to the designated Academic Dean and who then reviews the proposal and approves or denies advancement of the request.

Academic Affairs Submission/Review

Curriculum Committee Review

Administrative Approval

College Board Review and Approval

The College Board Curriculum & Student Development Committee reviews the proposal and recommends Board action. The College Board then approves or denies the request.

Academic Affairs Special Notifications

Upon College Board approval, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA submits proposal documentation to VCCS Staff who will then notify SCHEV.

Faculty Developer and Academic Dean Notified of Final Decision

Once the proposal documentation is approved by VCCS and SCHEV, the Curriculum Specialist or AVPAA informs the faculty developer and Academic Dean of the decision.

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Updates

Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management will update the respective Catalog and Student Information Systems (SIS) and notify the appropriate college personnel.