Curriculum Development

Academic Services facilitates curriculum development by offering consultations, access to course outlines and development resources, and support of the Palm Beach State College-wide Curriculum Committee activities.

Creating a New Course

Creating a new course involves steps to ensure that the new course is a necessary course for the College's curriculum. There are many reasons new courses are developed - changing degree needs, student interest, or new subject areas.

The first step in the process of creating a new course begins with the cluster and the Business Partnership Council (BPC) per discipline policy. Either a faculty member presents his or her idea to these groups or the cluster or BPC as a whole vote to develop a course. The cluster assigns member(s) to develop the course. If the cluster approves the initial course development, a faculty member is assigned to start the formal college process of course development and approval. This process is called the curriculum review process.

The curriculum review process to develop courses is a two-part process. Once the Course Addition Form is prepared, it is sent to Academic Services along with support documents (related course and program action forms, course outlines, Cluster and Business Partnership Council Minutes) electronically (email). The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean and dean of the faculty developing the course. Then the course and its support documents are reviewed by Deans' Council. Deans' Council examines the curriculum action request to see what impact it will have on the college facilities, personnel and budget. If the Deans' Council approves the course development, the course addition is added to the agenda of the college-wide Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee examines the course in detail related to the Course Dictionary, Degree Audit and impact on other courses and programs. The Curriculum Committee makes a recommendation to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) who gives final approval for the curriculum action. Unless an exception is authorized by the VPAA, all curriculum action goes into effect according to the Curriculum Action Timeline on the Curriculum website following the approval of the VPAA.

Keep in mind that a new course (other than an AA course or a Developmental Ed course) must be included in a program and cannot be created as a stand-alone course.

Documents Submitted for New Course Action:

Course Addition Forms
Course Outline
Cluster Minutes (Required); BPC Minutes (Optional)
Program Addition/Revision Form (Except for AA/Dev Ed Courses)
Program Learning Outcomes (Except for AA/Dev Ed Course)
Other Course Action Forms
Curriculum Forms - www.palmbeachstate.edu/Curriculum-Development-Forms

Revising a Course

Revising an existing course involves steps to ensure that all areas of the College affected by the revision understand the change and are aware of its ramifications. There are many reasons courses are revised - updating outdated offerings, meeting state-wide discipline committee decisions, and complying with business partnership recommendations.

The first step in the process of revising an existing course begins with the cluster. An individual faculty member or an entire cluster will decide revisions are needed for an existing course. If the cluster approves the idea, a member will be assigned to begin the formal process of course revision and approval. This process is called the Curriculum Review Process.

The curriculum review process to develop courses is a two-part process. Once the Course Revision Form is prepared, it is sent to Academic Services along with support documents (related course and program action forms, course outlines, Cluster and Business Partnership Council Minutes) electronically (email). The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean and dean of the faculty revising the course.

The Curriculum Committee examines the proposed revisions to a course to determine impact on the Course Dictionary, Degree Audit and other departments and programs across the college. The Curriculum Committee makes a recommendation to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) who gives final approval for the curriculum action. Unless an exception is authorized by the VPAA, all curriculum action goes into effect according to the Curriculum Action Timeline on the Curriculum website following the approval of the VPAA.

Keep in mind that a revised course (other than an A.A. course or a Developmental Ed course) action may include a program action submission as well.

Documents Submitted for Revised Course Action:

Course Revision Form
Course Outline
Cluster Minutes (Required); BPC Minutes (Optional)
Program Addition/Revision Form (Except for AA/Dev Ed Courses)
Program Learning Outcomes (Except for AA/Dev Ed Courses)
Other Course Action Forms
Curriculum Forms - www.palmbeachstate.edu/Curriculum-Development-Forms

Delete an Existing Course

Deleting an existing course involves steps to ensure that all areas of the College affected by this curriculum action are aware of the ramifications of this action. Course deletion is the removal of a course from the Palm Beach State course offerings. There are many reasons courses are deleted - updated or outdated offerings, state-wide discipline committee or accrediting agency requests, and business partnership council recommendations.

Removing a course from one program list which is still included in other program lists is not a course deletion. Rather this is a program revision action.

The first step in the process of deleting an existing course begins with the appropriate cluster. The cluster will review needs assessments, college enrollment records and/or state requirements, and decide on curriculum changes involving the deletion of a course. Once the full cluster approved the deletion, a designated cluster member begins the formal process of course deletion. This process is part of the Curriculum Review Process.

Course deletion requires the Course Deletion Form. Once the form along with needed support documents (program addition/revision form, cluster and/or BPC minutes, and program learning outcomes) is completed, it is sent to Academic Services along with support documents (related course and program action forms, course outlines, Cluster and Business Partnership Council Minutes) electronically (email). The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean and dean of the faculty deleting the course. The Curriculum Committee examines the proposed course deletion for impact on the Course Dictionary, Degree Audit System and other programs and certificates. If approved, a recommendation is made to the Vice- President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) who gives final approval for the curriculum action. Unless an exception is authorized by the VPAA, all curriculum action goes into effect according to the Curriculum Action Timeline on the Curriculum website following the approval of the VPAA.

Keep in mind that a deleted course (other than an A.A. course or a Developmental Ed course) action may include a program action submission as well.

Documents Submitted for Deleted Course Action:

Course Deletion Form
Cluster Minutes (Required); BPC Minutes (Optional)
Program Addition/Revision Form (Except for AA/Dev Ed Courses)
Program Learning Outcomes Form (Except for AA/Dev Ed Courses)
Other Course Action Forms
Curriculum Forms - www.palmbeachstate.edu/Curriculum-Development-Forms

Create a New Program

Adding a new program or program concentration involves steps to ensure that this curriculum action is adequately justified and that all areas of the College affected by the addition are aware of its ramifications. This action will require Deans' Council approval, President's Cabinet approval and Palm Beach State District Board of Trustees approval. There are many reasons new programs/program concentrations are developed - emerging community training needs, basic student interest or new, state-approved subject areas.

The first step in the process of creating a new program/program concentration begins with the cluster. A faculty member presents his or her idea to the cluster or the cluster as a whole decides that a new program or program concentration is warranted in the discipline. If the cluster approves the idea, a faculty member is assigned to begin the formal process of program development and approval. This process is called the Curriculum Review Process.

The Curriculum Review Process is a multi-part process. For new programs, the hosting campus Provost is included in the signature process. This is accomplished by preparing a New Program Proposal Form Steps 1 & 2 following the guidelines noted on the form and gathering all the required signatures. Once final approval is given, then a Program/Concentration Addition Form is prepared. The signed Program Proposal forms and the rest of the supporting documents (related course and program action forms, course outlines, Cluster and Business Partnership Council Minutes) are sent electronically to Academic Services electronically by email. The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean, dean of the faculty and the host campus provost creating the program. This full packet will be submitted to the President’s Cabinet for approval and Deans' Council for approval by the VPAA.

President’s Cabinet and Deans' Council examine this curriculum action to see what impact it will have on the College facilities, personnel, academic resources and budget. If approved, the Program/Concentration Addition action is added to the Palm Beach State Curriculum Committee agenda for consideration.

The Curriculum Committee examines the curriculum action details for impact on the Course Dictionary, Degree Audit and other programs and certificates. If approved, the Curriculum Committee makes a recommendation to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) who gives final approval for the curriculum action.

Once approved by VPAA, the new program/program concentration is submitted to the District Board of Trustees (DBOT) for approval. This process is a two DBOT agenda read and approval process. Unless an exception is authorized by the VPAA, all curriculum action goes into effect and will be advertised according to the Curriculum Action Timeline on the Curriculum website following the approval of the VPAA and the DBOT.

If the cluster is creating a new program or certificate that has never been offered in Florida, once the VPAA approved the program creation, further steps must be taken to seek Department of Education approval to offer this program in the state of Florida. The cluster will work with Academic Services to put together the necessary state forms and approvals.

If a new program constitutes a substantive change to the offerings of the institution, the originator is required to complete a form (www.palmbeachstate.edu/sacs) justifying the change which may lead to additional follow up actions with SACSCOC.

Documents Submitted for New Program/Concentration Action:

New Program Proposal Form with Signatures
Program/Concentration Addition Form
Other Course and Program Forms Related to the Addition
Course Outlines
Cluster/BPC Minutes
Create a New Statewide Program (If necessary)
Substantive Change Form (If necessary)

Program Revision

Revising an existing program involves steps to ensure that all areas of the College affected by the revision understand the changes that will be made and are aware of their ramifications. There are varied reasons programs are revised - updating outdated offerings, meeting state-wide discipline committee decisions, and complying with business partnership recommendations.

The first step in the process of revising an existing program begins with the cluster. The cluster or a designated sub-committee will review needs assessments, College records and/or state requirements and outline program revisions it deems necessary. Once the full cluster approves the changes, a designated cluster member will begin the formal process of program revision and approval. This process is part of the Curriculum Review Process.

Program revision requires a Program/Concentration Revision Form to be completed. Once this form and its' support documents (cluster minutes, Business Partnership Council Minutes, course addition, revision and deletion forms) are gathered, they are submitted to Academic Services electronically (email). The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean, and dean of the faculty revising the program. This packet will be added to the Palm Beach State Curriculum Committee agenda.

The Curriculum Committee examines the proposed revisions to the program to determine the impact on the Course Dictionary, Degree Audit, and other programs and certificates. The Curriculum Committee makes a recommendation to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) who gives final approval for the curriculum action. Unless an exception is authorized by the VPAA, all curriculum action goes into effect according to the Curriculum Action Timeline on the Curriculum website following the approval of the VPAA.

Program Concentration Revision Needing DBOT Approval

In some cases, if the program revision involves deleting a program concentration from the College offerings, this action needs President’s Cabinet and Deans' Council approval to be considered by the Curriculum Committee. In these instances, this action will need DBOT approval once VPAA approves the Curriculum Committee approval. Contact Academic Services for clarification if you plan to submit this type of action.

Delete an Existing Program or Program Concentration

There are many reasons programs, or program concentrations, are deleted - outdated offerings, state-wide discipline committee or accrediting agency decisions, or Business Partnership Council recommendations.

Deleting an existing program or program concentration involves steps to ensure that this curriculum action is adequately justified and that all areas of the College affected by the deletion are aware of its ramifications. Deletion of an existing program or program concentration requires approval by the VPAA, Deans' Council, President's Cabinet, President, Palm Beach State District Board of Trustees and SACSCOC approval of Teach Out Plan(s) prior to implementation.

Programs must first initiate the Program Termination Procedure outlined in the Academic Management Manual’s Section G. Once this has been initiated, the program may proceed with the curriculum action to the delete the program.

The first step in the curriculum change process of deleting an existing program or program concentration begins with the cluster. The cluster will review needs assessments, college enrollment records and/or state requirements, and outline program revisions it deems necessary. Once the full cluster approved the deletion, a designated cluster member will begin the formal process of program or program concentration deletion. This process is part of the Curriculum Review Process.

For complete program deletion and program concentration only, a Program Deletion Form is prepared and sent with support documents (Cluster minutes, Business Partnership Council Minutes, and related curriculum forms) to Academic Services electronically (email). The email should copy the cluster chair, associate dean, and dean of the faculty revising the program. The full packet is sent to Deans’ Council and President’s Cabinet for approval.

In the case of a deleted program, Deans' Council examines the justification for the deletion and the impact on the College offerings and resources. If the deletion is approved, the topic of the program deletion is put on the President's Cabinet agenda for discussion and recommendation to the Palm Beach State Board of Trustees. President's Cabinet approval of this action initiates the creation of a Board Packet by the VPAA office for presentation to the Board of Trustees. The Palm Beach State DBOT approval is a two agenda reading and approval process. After the DBOT approval, the College catalog text is revised for the next edition. The Curriculum Committee is notified by the VPAA of the decision of the Board of Trustees as an FYI and the time frame for completion of the deletion of the program is established. The originator of this curriculum action is notified by Academic Services when the Board of Trustees ratifies the program deletion.

Create a New Program at the State Level

New degree programs, program concentrations or certificates identified through the program review process can be proposed as new programs to the State. The first step is to submit the normal paperwork for creating a new program through the Palm Beach State curriculum process (New Program Proposal Form Steps 1 & 2, Palm Beach State Deans' Council review, President’s Cabinet Review, Curriculum Committee Review, Vice President Academic Affairs review). If the new program or certificate is approved through the Palm Beach State Curriculum Review Process, the following documents will need to be submitted to the Florida Department of Education Workforce Development office for authorization and inclusion in the state program inventory.

The State Submission documents required:

Statement of Justification – This should include a list of the occupations for which the curriculum prepares students, and data on the number of jobs and job openings in the region in the identified occupational titles.

Curriculum Framework – This document details the program including major concepts/content, laboratory activities, and intended outcomes. To locate the state curriculum framework for the program or certificate being developed go to www.FLDOE.Org/Workforce/CTE-Curriculum-Frameworks
Student Performance Standards – This document details the competencies of the intended outcomes.
Program Outline – Course list that will constitute the degree program or certificate.
Course Outlines – Course outline for each of the courses in the degree program or certificate.
New Program Submittal Form – The Submittal Form will need to be completed.
Sample Articulation Agreement – The state requires a sample articulation agreement from high school to the post-secondary level of education. The articulation agreement only needs to be proposed.

The entire package is submitted to the Florida Department of Education Workforce Development Office of the Department of Education by Academic Services. Academic Services will work with the cluster creating the program or certificate to facilitate the process and ensure that the package is complete. This process can take from 3 months to a year to complete.

Enacted July 2004 in Section G from existing policy; revised July 2005; reviewed July 2006. July 2007, July 2008, July 2009, July 2010, July 2016; revised July 2018, July 2019