Flowcharts & Timelines

Page Updated: April 2, 2021

Catalog deadlines

With the exception of the September and October meetings, all curricular proposals apply to the catalog year which is 2 fiscal years from the current fiscal year.  For example, a proposal approved by the UUCC in November 2019 would apply to the 2021-2022 catalog.  A proposal approved by the UUCC in March 2020 would also apply to the 2021-2022 catalog.  After the proposal is made, the content moves to the registrar, who prepares the content for approval by departments in November/December, so registration can open for the following fall (note that fall registration opens in the preceding spring).  View books and advisors also operate based on this information to prepare students for early registration.  Some proposals require approval from the Board of Regents and/or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.  These deadlines allow the time for this complete cycle to occur before materials are published.  The yearly calendar is posted online: https://facultysenate.unt.edu/university-undergraduate-curriculum-committee. See this flow chart for an overview of the processes which follow the UUCC vote: https://vpaa.unt.edu/sites/default/files/legacy/provost/Degree%20Program%20Inventory%20Change%20Process.pdf

Creation, deletion or change to degree, program, concentration, option, minor, or certificate:  In the following cases, the Provost must indicate initial planning authority on this form:  https://vpaa.unt.edu/new-programs-or-changes-existing-programs

  • Use these forms when: (a) creating a new degree/standalone certificate (online, face-to-face, or hybrid); (b) adding a concentration to a degree (only required if the concentration significantly changes the degree in its current form); (c) consolidating degrees; (d) closing a degree or certificate; (e) increasing/decreasing SCH for a degree/certificate; (f) changing a CIP code; (g) changing program modality to more than 50% electronically delivered, e.g. online, video conferencing, etc.; (h) entering into a collaborative academic arrangement that includes the initiation of a dual/joint program; (i) offering a degree or certificate program at an onsite location; (j) initiating a direct assessment competency-based educational program; (k) renaming a degree/certificate; (l) creating a Grad Track pathway (a copy of the Grad Track application should be attached to this form); (m) changing the name of a college/academic department; (n) moving degree/certificate programs between colleges/departments; (o) moving departments to other colleges; or (p) creating/closing a department/college. (j) initiating a direct assessment competency-based educational program; (k) renaming a degree/certificate; (l) creating a Grad Track pathway (a copy of the Grad Track application should be attached to this form); (m) changing the name of a college/academic department; (n) moving degree/certificate programs between colleges/departments; (o) moving departments to other colleges; or (p) creating/closing a department/college. 
  • Degree program closure/phase out: The University of North Texas is obligated to notify the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) when a decision is made to stop accepting admission applications to one of its academic programs or sites.  Approval of the closure is required by SACSCOC prior to implementation.  University Accreditation handles the notification to SACSCOC, and works with the department to complete the necessary notification steps.  Please do not stop accepting new students or update the catalog as “not accepting applications” until SACSCOC approval of the closure and teach-out-plan has been received.

Creation, deletion or change to course

Before the UUCC votes, an impact report is required for courses which could impact existing programs.  For new course proposals which include cross-discipline topics, evidence of consultation should be uploaded in Curriculog (unt.curriculog.com) with the proposal.

  • UNT core: Before the UUCC can approve, these proposals require approval from the Oversight Committee on the Core Curriculum.  Additional information:  http://curriculum.unt.edu/content/oversight-committee-core-curriculum.  After these courses are approved by the UUCC, they must be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before counting toward UNT core; submissions to THECB occur in April and are effective the following school year.  Additional information about THECB: http://curriculum.unt.edu/content/thecb-0
  • Grad Tracks: In addition to the normal steps, these proposals require approval from the Grad Council before approval from the UUCC. 

Items which may be exempt from the regular calendar deadlines

  • Experimental courses: Experimental courses are offered under existing course numbers designated for that purpose.  Experimental courses may be offered as soon as the semester after they are proposed (e.g., submitted in fall 2018 and offered in spring 2019), but they should be submitted no later than 2 months before the end of the preceding long semester.  These courses can be offered up to 2 times.  Offering these courses a 3rd time requires approval from the UUCC co-chairs.
  • Non-curricular catalog content (prose):  Check with the registrar and UUCC co-chairs about the timeline for these updates and the best way to submit these updates.  Some updates may be made on a shortened timeline.
  • Information (cleanup) items: This content is either submitted by the registrar as cleanup or may be submitted as an information item in Curriculog.  These items are clerical in nature, with minimal impact.

Additional information

  • Curriculog and agenda submission deadlines: Agenda items must be on the UUCC step (after dean’s approval) by the published agenda deadline.  This allows the registrar and the co-chairs time to review, revise, and communicate with colleges/schools about proposals before the UUCC vote.
  • VPAA approvals: Initial planning authority is required for certain program proposals.  The VPAA approval form must be uploaded in Curriculog before the proposal may be added to the UUCC agenda.
  • Consultations:  Consultations between colleges/schools/departments are required for proposals which may have an impact on any units outside the area initiating the proposal.  The members of the UUCC are charged with reviewing the list of proposals and alerting the UUCC co-chairs if consultation has not occurred before the UUCC vote.  In some cases, proposals may be withdrawn from an agenda to allow time for consultation to occur.

Catalog year exception requests

Catalog year exception requests may be granted in extreme circumstances, at the discretion of the UUCC co-chairs and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.  If an exception is to be requested, contact the UUCC co-chairs.