Course Validation

Use this procedure for first-time approval of an Essential Studies course.

Process

  1. Proposals to add a course to the ES program are initiated at the department level and should proceed only with the approval of the department chair. Either the department chair should submit the validation request or there should be an indication within the validation's rationale that the department and department chair approve of the submission. Consultation on ES course development is available through the ES Office.
  2. When finalized at the department, the formal request for validation is brought to the ES Committee for review and approval. Validation forms are submitted via the links found below.
  3. Upon approval by the ES Committee, the validation request will appear on an upcoming agenda of the University Senate, at which final approval will occur.
  4. If approved, the course becomes part of ES at the start of the next academic year.

Timeline

The deadline for submission of requests for the validation of ES courses is December 1 each year. The ES Committee's review period for such requests will be from the point of submission until the end of January. If approved by the ES Committee, the validated course will appear in the course catalog, which is posted in March of the same academic year, in time for advisement for the spring registration period.

Requirements

To be part of the ES program, a course will:

  • Focus on student learning in at least one of the six ES learning goals: Critical Inquiry and Analysis, Quantitative Reasoning, Written Communication, Oral Communication, Intercultural Knowledge & Skills, and Information Literacy.

It must also fit into one of the following:

  • A Breadth of Knowledge area only:
    1. Communication
    2. Social Science
    3. Fine Arts
    4. Humanities
    5. Math, Science, & Technology

In this case use the validation form found here: Breadth of Knowledge Validation

To download a document you can use to save and develop submission responses before submitting, click here.

  • A Breadth of Knowledge area AND a Special Emphasis area. The Breadth of Knowledge areas are as above; the Special Emphasis areas are:
    1. Advanced Communication
    2. The Diversity of Human Experience
    3. Analyzing Worldview
    4. Quantitative Reasoning

In this case use the validation form found here: Breadth of Knowledge/Special Emphasis Validation

To download a document you can use to save and develop submission responses before submitting, click here.

  • A Special Emphasis area only. In this case use the validation form found here: Special Emphasis Validation
    • To download a document you can use to save and develop submission responses before submitting, click here.
  • The Essential Studies Capstone area. In this case use the validation form found here: ES Capstone Validation
    • To download a document you can use to save and develop submission responses before submitting, click here.