At UW Tacoma, an excellent education connects knowledge across disciplines and excellence is founded on integrity, dedication and collaboration. We believe that learning is a vehicle that advances students toward fulfilling lives and meaningful careers. To this end, we have policies and procedures for the creation of new courses, majors, and programs, modification of existing entities. The curriculum is grounded in the collective knowledge and wisdom of the faculty.

Curriculum Development Overview

Curriculum development spans a series of phases and tasks structured to offer new course development as well as modify existing courses. The creation of new courses, or substantial change to existing courses, is in the prerogative of the faculty. New curricula may be proposed by faculty through the academic planning process. Modifications to existing curricula must follow specific procedures and approval processes.

New Course Guidelines

The approval of new courses is a process separate from new program approvals. New courses and course revisions are submitted through Kuali, UW's Curriculum Management (UWCM) system.

New Program Guidelines

Detailed processes guide the creation and modification of undergraduate degrees and programs, graduate degrees and programs, and graduate certificates. Proposals for new degrees are reviewed by faculty and administrators at the unit and campus levels, and undergo UW tri-campus review and state level review by the Interinstitutional Committee for Academic Program Planning (ICAPP). New degrees that are supported by the Academic Plan and are approved by the Academic Policy and Curriculum Committee (APCC) and the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs before proceeding to UW for additional review and approvals. Final approval comes from the UW President or from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the regional accreditor for UW.