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UW Tacoma Schools and Deans

COURSES

It is the expectation that all course proposals are reviewed and voted on at the program’s curriculum committee and this vote is recorded when submitting the course for approval. Additionally, within the curriculum system workflow, there is a Dean approval required.  The Dean's approval signifies that a new course for current programs can be funded out of existing resources, and/or identifies resources in support of additions to the curriculum. 

PROGRAMS 

There are different processes for proposing new program and program changes at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Detailed information information on the processes and various approvals, can be found on the Academic Policy and Curriculum Committee (APCC) webpage under the heading "Curriculum Links": https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/faculty-assembly/academic-policy-and-curriculum-committee.  

UW Tacoma Academic Policy and Curriculum Committee

The Academic Policy and Curriculum Committee (APCC) evaluates the merits of proposed undergraduate and graduate programs and degrees, majors, minors, concentrations, and certificates relative to the academic standards of the institution. Such evaluation takes into consideration the requirements for admission and graduation, intellectual rigor, academic integrity, pedagogical coherence, and the need for additional resources. The committee makes the official faculty recommendation to the UW Tacoma Office of Academic Affairs.

Additionally, APCC evaluates the merits of proposed courses relative to the academic standards of the institution. Such evaluation takes into consideration the intellectual rigor, academic integrity, and pedagogical coherence of the proposed course. The Committee also considers whether a course merits the proposed number of credits, whether the mode of student evaluation is appropriate for the course content, and whether resources are adequate.

UW Curriculum Office, University General Education Committee, University Committee on Curriculum Administration (Courses)

The majority of course applications will be administratively recorded into the system after UW Curriculum Office review. Applications involving general education designation requests must also be reviewed and approved by the University General Education Committee (UCGE). Applications that present questions or issues that fall outside the scope of the UW Curriculum Office’s procedural review will be forwarded to the University Committee on Curriculum Administration (UCCA). 

For additional information the UW Curriculum's Curriculum Approval Process webpage: https://registrar.washington.edu/curriculum/approval-process/

UW Tri-Campus Program Reviews

GRADUATE

As part of the Graduate School’s review process for proposed new graduate degree and certificate programs, all UW graduate faculty, vice chancellors, deans, directors, chairs, and certain administrative stakeholders are invited to comment Planning Notices of Intent (PNOI).  The tri-campus review takes place at the PNOI step only.  For additional information, please visit the Graduate School's "Proposing a New Program" webpage: https://facstaff.grad.uw.edu/program-resources/proposing-changing-programs/proposing-a-new-program/

UNDERGRADUATE

UW Tri-Campus review is required for new undergraduate degrees, majors, and minors, or substantive changes to the same of a non-routine nature. This includes, but may not be limited to:

  • Changes that alter degree information on a student transcript. For example, changing the name of a degree, option, or minor.
  • Changing admission type, for example, from minimum requirements to capacity constrained.
  • Program changes on one campus that could significantly alter enrollments in specific programs on one of the other two campuses. For example, changing the program format to distance learning or fee-based learning.
  • Any change, at the discretion of the Office of the University Registrar, warranting tri-campus review.

The tri-campus review takes place at the Notice of Planning (NOP) stage and full proposal stage.  For additional information, please visit the Undergraduate Program Proposal Process and Resources page: https://registrar.washington.edu/curriculum/ugprogram-process/

Additional Program Reviews and Approvals 

GRADUATE

  • External Review - new graduate degrees are sent to external reviewers.
  • Graduate School Council-reviews new graduate degrees and certificates. 

GRADUATE and UNDERGRADUATE

  • Interinstitutional Council on Academic Program Planning (ICAPP)- 30 day review of new degree programs- both undergraduate and graduate. 
  • Board of Regents- approves new graduate degrees and certificates. Also approves new undergraduate named degrees (not common). 
  • President/Provost: President letter issued for changes or new undergraduate programs. Provost letter issued (after Board of Regents approval) for new graduate programs or certificates and new undergraduate named degrees.
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)- approve new undergraduate and graduate degrees, minors, and certain substantive changes.