Division of Academic Affairs

Undergraduate Program and Course Development 

The University Curriculum Proposal link can be found in two areas in the My Fresno State Portal: (1) in the Forms Portfolio under University and (2) a tile on the Campus Systems page.

Please see instructional videos for assistance.  If additional assistance is needed, please contact Jayne Ramirez (jayramirez@mail.fresnostate.edu / 559-278-5285).

Please note: The forms shown in these instructional videos may look different from the current forms. The actions, approval process, and curriculum workflow remain the same.

Curriculum Process

Approved courses and program proposals will appear as appropriate in the University Catalog.

Catalog Deadline for final processing for next Academic Year:

  • Existing program changes - April 1 

  • Existing course changes - 2 weeks prior to the Fall wish list

  • New programs - April 1

  • New courses can be created after wish list opens

To ensure review for next Academic Year consideration, proposals need to arrive to the Undergraduate Studies Office, by the end of the current fall term. Proposals that have not secured final approval will be held on the agenda of the Curriculum Committee. 

  1. Initiator submits proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM workflow

  2. Department Chair reviews and approves 

  3. Office of the Dean reviews/preps for College Curriculum Committee

  4. College Curriculum Committee reviews and approves

  5. Dean of College reviews and approves

  6. Proposal is received by the Undergraduate Studies Office and is reviewed/prepped for University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee

  7. University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee reviews and approves 

  8. Proposal is finalized by the Undergraduate Studies Office (this final step must be completed by April 1 and 3 weeks prior to fall semester wish list for existing courses)

Additional System-Level Approval Steps

  • course designation requests require additional steps in committee review

  • new degrees, option elevations, title changes, addition of an option or emphasis, and degree designation changes require review by the Academic Senate and the Chancellor's Office

  • course fees and online course requests are not part of the curriculum workflow 

  • Requires Chancellor’s Office Approval:
    • New Programs, Including Projections
    • Pilot Programs and Conversions to Regular Programs
    • Option/Concentration Elevations to Full Degrees
    • Conversions of Special Session Programs (Self-Support) to State Support
    • Adding a Self-Support Counterpart to a Previously Approved State-Support Degree Program
    • Adding a New Option/Concentration/Emphasis to an Existing Degree Program
    • Degree Program and/or Option Title Changes and/or CIP Code Changes
    • Degree Designation Changes (e.g. BA to BS, MA to MS)
    • WASC Substantive Changes
      • Degree Authority
      • Off-Campus > 25 Miles
      • ≥50% Online
    • Blended Programs 4 + 1 Degrees – Bachelor’s + Master’s Degree linked in an Accelerated “Blended” Route to a Graduate Degree
    • Concurrent Degrees Requiring Unique CSU Degree Codes
  • Requires Notification via the Chancellor’s Office Degrees Database
    • Changes in Unit Requirements (if they do not exceed Title 5 Maximum)
    • Degree Program Discontinuance (Fresno State has a Campus Approved Discontinuation Policy and Chancellor’s Office Notification/Approval is not required prior to updating the Degrees Database)
    • Degree Program Admission Suspension and/or Reinstatement
    • Degree Program Change to Obsolete Status – used when there are no more student in a discontinued program
    • Reasonable (Minor) Modifications to a Campus Specific Degree Title or Concentration Title
  • Requires Campus Approval Only
    • Certificates: Add, Discontinue, Change
    • Credentials: Add, Discontinue, Change
    • Minors: Add, Discontinue, Change
    • Department Name Changes – this process is separate from a Degree Title Change

Course Development

To begin the process, complete a New Course Proposal form via Modern Campus CurriculumTM. T-Course conversions will require the existing T-Course information. 

The following attachments will be required

  • Course syllabus that follows the syllabus template, is accessible, contains all elements required in APM 241 and adheres to APM 232
  • Memo of support if the proposal affects another department

Note: a program change request must also be submitted in order for a new course to be reflected in program/graduation requirements.

To begin the process, complete a Course Revision Proposal form via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.   The curriculum form features a track-changes system and notes the person making the changes.

The following attachments will be required

  • Course syllabus that follows the syllabus template, is accessible, contains all elements required in APM 241 and adheres to APM 232 (an old syllabus will also be required for unit value changes)
  • Memo of support if the proposal affects another department

To deactivate a course, complete the Course Deactivation Proposal request form.  A memo of support will be required if the deactivation affects another department. Syllabus is not required.

Note: a program change request must also be submitted if the course revision/deactivation request affects program/graduation requirements.

The following course designation requests are submitted through the Modern Campus CurriculumTM workflow system:  

Required information for the above designations is included on the course proposal forms.

New Program Development 

New Degree Implementation Framework Chancellor's Office Guidance Document

Chancellor Office Forms can be found on CSU Connect > Academic Programs > Academic Programs Pages >  Develop a New Program or Modify an Existing Program

Establishing a New Degree Seeking Program

  • Departments, Schools, and Colleges that desire to institute a new degree program must first meet with the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
  • After, a Projected Degree Proposal Form will be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (due date will be provided).
    • The call for projected degrees goes out twice a year - once in the fall, for review and approval at the March BOT Meeting and again in the spring, for review and approval at the September BOT Meeting. Approval adds the projected degree to the Campus’ Academic Master Plan.
  • Approval does not authorize the new program, but gives the “go-ahead” to pursue the development of a formal proposal.
  • After the Projected Degree Proposal has been approved, the department (school or college) will complete and submit a new program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.  This will begin the full system-level review (i.e. Department Chair to Chancellor’s Office).

The following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

Steps to Establish a Pilot Program
The proposal requires Chancellor's Office review prior to implementation, but does not need projected degree approval. The campus may have up to 4 pilot programs (at any level) operating at once.  To begin the process follow the steps to submit a new program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.

The following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

  • Same as above for a new degree

Pilot Program Conversion
A Pilot Program can be offered up to 5 years and must convert to a regular program in order to continue to be offered. 

To convert a Pilot Program:

NOTE:  There is no longer a Fast-Track Process 

For self-support programs, please provide a complete the self-support budget template.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

While the CSU does not have system wide distinctions between options, concentrations, emphases in practice, these are considered “subprograms” that are minimal requirements relative to the major core.  A subprogram requires the Chancellor’s Office approval prior to implementation. 

To begin the process for a new option or emphasis complete a new program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM following the Chancellor’s Office guidance for adding subprograms found on CSU Connect > Academic Programs > Academic Programs Pages >  Develop a New Program or Modify an Existing Program 

Required:

Reminders:  

  • The subprogram cannot be more than 49% of the majors unit requirements per EO 1071.
  • An option is included in the degree name where an emphasis is a set of courses to follow in a specific area, but is not included in the degree name.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

The information required for a proposed minor, pre-major, certificate, or credential is less detailed than a degree seeking program and does not require Chancellor's Office review prior to implementation. 

To begin the process, submit a new program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.

The following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

Reminders:

  • Minor consists of a minimum of 12 units, at least 6 of which must be upper-division residence units completed with a GPA of 2.0
  • Certificate of Special Study consists of a minimum of 12 upper-division units.
  • Pre-Major unit requirements must be included in the total major requirement unit count
For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 

Adding a Self-Support Counterpart of a Previously Approved State-Support Degree Program must follow EO 1099 specification self-support criteria.   In addition to campus approval, the proposal will also be reviewed by Continuing and Global Education prior to submission to the Chancellor's Office.

To begin the process complete a new program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM following the Chancellor’s Office guidance for adding subprograms found on CSU Connect > Academic Programs > Academic Programs Pages >  Develop a New Program or Modify an Existing Program 

The following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

Converting a Self-Support Program to State-Support Program

Requests to convert a self-support program to a state support program will not need to duplicate the information submitted in the original self-support proposal.  Though the process is condensed on the CO side, the campus approval process will follow that of a new degree.

To begin the process, submit a New Program proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.  In addition to campus approval, the proposal will also be reviewed by Continuing and Global Education prior to submission to the Chancellor's Office. 

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 

Guidance document to develop and offer reduced-credit bachelor's degree (RCBD) programs under the approved degree designations of Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS), and Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS).

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 

Existing Program Modifications 

This form is used to request program revisions to degree, minor, certificate and credential programs due to course changes, revision of electives, changes in additional requirements, rearrangement of required courses, change in unit requirements, etc. The curriculum form features a track-changes system and notes the person making the changes.

To begin the process, submit a Program Revision proposal form via Modern Campus CurriculumTM . 

The following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

  • Catalog page edits completed on the Program Revision Request form via the Curriculum Schema section 
  • All applicable justification questions will need to be completed on the form
  • Attach any memos of support if the proposal affects another department

Note: Substantial changes in an existing program may require WSCUCScreening and Chancellor’s Office review. Depending upon the magnitude of the change, it may be treated as a new program. 

Undergraduate Program Discontinuance Process

APM 214 - Standards and Procedures for Reviewing an Undergraduate Program for Discontinuance

Formal request is submitted through a Program Deactivation Proposal via Modern Campus CurriculumTM .

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 

Establishing a New Degree Seeking Program from an Elevated Option

  • Departments/Colleges first meet with the Dean of Undergraduate Studies to discuss the proposed elevation.
  • A new program proposal will need to be submitted via Modern Campus CurriculumTM.  This will begin the full system-level review (i.e. Department Chair to Chancellor’s Office).

To begin the process follow the Chancellor’s Office guidance to elevate a subprogram found on CSU Connect > Academic Programs > Academic Programs Pages >  Develop a New Program or Modify an Existing Program 

Required:

  • Completed Template – New Degree Program Proposal (Chancellor Office Form)
    • See New Degree Programs / Pilot Programs for proposal details
  • Memos of support from Departments that the proposal might affect. 

Note: The existing option will also need a Program Deactivation Proposal submitted via Modern Campus CurriculumTM

For additional information or assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 

Campus and Chancellor Office Approval is required for Degree Designation, Title or CIP Code Changes.

To begin the process, submit a Program Revision request form via Modern Campus CurriculumTM . 

In addition to following the process for a program revision request, the following will need to be included as part of the proposal:

For additional information or assistance please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies 

Additional Information 

It is the charge of the University Budget Committee to provide an analysis of budgetary impact to the Academic Senate of those proposals submitted for Senate for approval.  Subsequent to implementing the present decentralized budget allocation model, the University Budget Committee now expects the initiating department/program to provide a reasoned estimate of those changes that will result from implementation of their proposal.  The estimate is to be provided in the form of quantitative and narrative descriptions, so as to permit University Budget Committee analysis.  The University Budget Committee also requires evidence that the proposal has received fiscal review at the College/School level.  The University Budget Committee therefore requests that departments/programs use the following guidelines in providing the information required.

  1. Projected changes in enrollment (FTES)
    1. What is the recent enrollment history of the program and what effect will the proposed changes have on enrollment?
    2. If FTES is expected to increase, what proportion represents new FTES and what proportion represents shifts from existing programs?
    3. How did you estimate your expected changes in enrollment?

  2.  Projected changes in existing curriculum
    1. Will there be changes in the cost of delivering the curriculum?  What will those costs be and what is their basis?
    2. For new courses, what is the estimated class size, frequency, and level/classification (“S” or “C” classification) of course delivery?  Please specify.
    3. For courses currently being offered, will there be changes in class size, frequency, level or classification of course delivery?  Please specify.
    4. Will courses be dropped from the existing curriculum?  Please list specific courses.

  3.  Projected changes in faculty
    1. Will there be a shift in faculty assignments?  If so, what will be the difference between current and proposed assignments?
    2. Will there be shifts in faculty numbers or distribution (T/TT vs FT/PT)?  If so, what will they be?
    3. Will new positions be added/required and what resources will be used to acquire them?

  4.  Projected changes in budget
    1. What is your current operating budget?
    2. What are your current positions (T, TT, FT, PT, staff)?
    3. Do you anticipate outside revenue to support your program (state funds, grants/contracts, endowments, etc.)?
    4. Will budget requirements change and what will those changes be (e.g. in operating budget, facilities, equipment, technical support, staff, etc.)?  Please specify.
    5. Will there be any increase in administrative roles/responsibilities that require buy-back or release time?
    6. How will the expected changes in budget requirements be met?
    7. Has the budgetary impact of the proposal been reviewed by the College/School Budget Committee and Office of the Dean?

  5.  Effect on Support Services and programs in other Colleges/Schools
    1. Are support services (e.g. Library, AIC) required for program implementation and function?
    2. Are programs in other Colleges/Schools directly affected by the proposal and in what way?
    3. Who are the representatives in the affected service areas and/or Schools/Colleges that have been contacted?

Course Fee Requests are processed through the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) housed in Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.  For information on how to request a course fee and/or change an existing course fee, please see the CFAC Website for more information.

As APM 206 undergoes revisions, Online Course Requests are currently not part of the Modern Campus CurriculumTM workflow.  For information regarding online/hybrid modality, please see:

CSU Resources

Questions or assistance please contact the Undergraduate Studies Office.