Program Actions

Program Actions refers to the initiation or the modification of a graduate program. Program actions are initiated through one of the following Course Inventory Management form databases: Course Inventory Management for Programs (CIM Programs) and Miscellaneous Request Management.

ABGS Review of Program Actions

ABGS members are expected to familiarize themselves with all program actions prior to the ABGS meeting at which these actions will be presented. In particular, they should be able to give informed answers to the following questions:

• Is there clear justification for the proposed action?
• Are the degree requirements appropriate?
• Are available resources sufficient and are they properly documented?
• Is there overlap with existing programs, including recommendation(s) for consultations that have not already been completed

At least two weeks prior to the ABGS meeting at which it will be considered, a program action is sent out to three ABGS reviewers. These reviewers are voting ABGS members who do not represent the initiating college. Their preliminary reviews are documented by The Graduate School and may result in changes in the proposal.

Course Actions

Course actions refer to all new course initiations and the changes and revisions to current courses approved to be taught in a graduate curriculum. These actions are typically initiated by faculty or program directors. These course action types include: New Course Proposals, Major Course Revisions, and Minor Actions.

ABGS Review of Course Actions

ABGS members are expected to review all course actions listed on the ABGS meeting agenda prior to each meeting. The table below shows the request types and guidelines for ABGS members to follow in their reviews.

Course Action Type	ABGS Review Guidelines
New Course Proposal	Is the creation of the new course properly justified? Is the course at a level commensurate with graduate education? Are the course’s objectives and goals consistent with its student learning outcomes? Is the syllabus consistent with the course permanent record? Is there content overlap with existing NC State courses? Should additional consultations be initiated?
Major Revision	Are the proposed updates properly justified? Do the course’s objectives and goals remain consistent with its student learning outcomes? Is the syllabus consistent with the course permanent record? Are the proposed updates likely to impact the programs using the course? If so, is this documented? Do the proposed changes raise concerns about overlap with existing NC State courses? Should additional consultations be initiated?
Minor Revision	Are the proposed updates properly justified? Are the proposed updates likely to impact the programs using the course?

Consultation Guidelines

Course and program actions may result in unanticipated ripple effects across the university. Consultations are the process by which these effects are anticipated and analyzed, sometimes leading to changes in the original actions. Additional information regarding consultations at the Graduate and Undergraduate levels are available online. Units being consulted are expected to address the following issues:

• duplication or significant overlap in newly proposed programs and/ or  with existing courses in their curricula
• the considered course being part of these units’ curricula
• the pre-requisites for the considered course having the potential to significantly impact enrollment in other units

If concerns related to these issues are not resolved between the groups involved, ABGS and UCCC will arbitrate based on information submitted in the Program/Course Consultation Request Form.

Consultations are distinct from reviews (which are defined below); they are a professional courtesy making it possible for academic programs to include, when appropriate, courses or programs from different units and colleges. No program, unit or college has veto right on curricular activities in other parts of the university; should conflict arise (for instance regarding duplication or overlap), the ABGS would serve as arbiter. Experience shows that the vast majority of consultations either result in neutral or supportive statements from the consulted units or sometimes play a synergistic role between the initiating and consulted units. Consultations may be initiated at any level: indeed, academic programs, units and graduate curriculum committees are encouraged to seek input from other units and colleges during curricular development.

Consultations at the department level

The initiating program or unit should seek consultation with other programs, units, and colleges during the department level curriculum committee steps in the workflow, when it is suspected that these other units might be affected by one or more of the three issues listed above. To initiate a consultation with another unit:

1. Make a copy of this Consultation Request Form for program/course consultation requests
2. Under 1 in the form, include the CIM link of the action for which you request consultation
3. Email the form to be filled as part of your request to the unit you are contacting
4. Document the response in CIM.

Consultations at the college level

It is the responsibility of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) who oversees graduate programs in the initiating college to make sure that

• appropriate consultations took place
• all consultations initiated by that point are properly documented in CIM

Consultations Initiated at the ABGS Level

Additional consultations may be requested by the ABGS coordinators and/or when a course or program is discussed by the ABGS. In either case, the ABGS coordinator will initiate the process through email to the ADAA of the college with which consultation was deemed desirable.

An ADAA or their designee has 2 weeks to respond to a request for consultation; the response should be given through a completed version of this form. Upon receipt, the response will be included to the CIM course/program proposal. If no response is received or alternate arrangement made by the end of the second week, the ABGS coordinator will document the attempt to contact the college in the CIM form and move the action forward for consideration by the ABGS.