The Educational Programs Committee (EPC) is the university-wide committee that reviews proposed changes submitted by the Schools and College and that advises the Provost on these items. Once the EPC approves a proposal, it is sent to the Provost. Depending on the level of the curricular change, and if the Provost accepts the EPC’s recommendation, the item is sent to the Board of Trustees either in the form of a request for approval by BOT vote or as an information item. Board approval is required for the following curricular changes: opening or closing of all diplomas, degrees or certificates. In addition, the Board is notified of, but does not approve, the creation or discontinuance of minors, the shortening or lengthening of any diploma, degree or certificate. One note: If the increase or decrease in credit hour requirements is significant (25% or more), the change will require both a BOT vote and pre-approval from SACSCOC.
Meeting Schedule | Fall 2019 | 9:00 - 10:30AM
Meeting Date
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Location |
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Proposal Deadline
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September 20
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311 Perkins Administration Bldg.
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September 6
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October 4
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G11 Clements Hall |
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September 20
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October 11
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311 Perkins Administration Bldg.
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September 27
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October 25
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311 Perkins Administration Bldg.
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October 11
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Timetable
Most curricular changes will need to be submitted to the EPC for review and discussion prior to being submitted to the Provost and the Board of Trustees for final review and approval. As of Fall 2016, the Provost’s Office no longer allows curricular changes to occur in the middle of a current academic year. For example, proposals considered and recommended for approval by the EPC, Provost, and Board of Trustees in December 2019 will not be effective until the Fall 2020 semester. Additionally, proposals considered and recommended for approval by the EPC, Provost, and Board of Trustees in May 2020 will not be effective until the Fall 2021 semester. This change aligns with the academic calendar and production timelines associated with the publication of the undergraduate and graduate catalogs, which act as the University’s contract with students.
For curricular changes requiring advance approval and/or notification by/to SACS COC in time for inclusion in SMU’s 2020-2021 University Catalog, the final BOT approval date is 12/6/2019.
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Deadline for Projected 2020-21 Curricular Changes to Associate Provost
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Schools send to EPC
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Review by EPC
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EPC materials due to Provost
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Board of Trustees Meeting
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8/23/2019
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See Meeting Schedule
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*9/20/2019
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11/8/2019
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12/6/2019
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See Meeting Schedule
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*10/4/2019
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11/8/2019
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12/6/2019
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See Meeting Schedule
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*10/11/2019 CANCELLED
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11/8/2019
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12/6/2019
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See Meeting Schedule
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*10/25/2019
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11/8/2019
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12/6/2019
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See Meeting Schedule
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*February 2020
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4/9/2020
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5/8/2020
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See Meeting Schedule
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*February 2020
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4/9/2020
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5/8/2020
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See Meeting Schedule
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*March 2020
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4/9/2020
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5/8/2020
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See Meeting Schedule
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*March 2020
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4/9/2020
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5/8/2020
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* Dates are tentative and subject to change. Cross-check dates in the Meeting Schedule.
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Charge
To advise the Provost on matters involving curricular change, program initiation, program discontinuance, and attendant issues. In addition, the committee will assure that appropriate notification, approvals, licensures, etc., are in place before programs begin operation. The Educational Programs Committee (EPC) serves as a University-wide curriculum committee. It is advisory to the Provost, and reports to the Provost.
Composition of the Committee
- Chair, Associate Provost for Curricular Innovation and Policy (ex officio)
- Faculty appointed by the Associate Provost for Faculty and Administrative Affairs in consultation with Deans of the schools they represent; one faculty representation from each and two from Dedman College
- Associate Vice President for Research, Dean of Graduate Studies (ex officio)
- Director of Institutional Research (ex officio)
- Deputy Director of Central University Libraries (ex officio)
- University Registrar (ex officio)
- Director of Assessment & Accreditation
Committee Members
2019-20 Committee Members
Instructions
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Do not alter the formatting or font on the Short or Long forms other than to include requisite information. Include all applicable information requested on page 1 as it is essential for EPC tracking and BOT reporting. Sections that do not pertain to your proposal may be deleted to save space. Note: to ensure you are using the most recent version of the proposal document, always download the forms from the Forms + Samples tab.
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Review the Meetings + Timetable tab to ensure that your proposal timeline aligns with the requirements set by the Provost’s Office. The Provost’s Office no longer allows curricular changes to occur in the middle of a current academic year.
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Obtain approval for your curricular change through the appropriate School or College vetting process (see the School-Specific Procedures below). Note: signatures on the Short and Long forms are required before the final proposal is submitted to the Office of Curricular Innovation and Policy.
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Discuss assessment-specific questions with the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness. The Office of Curricular Innovation and Policy highly recommends that all program changes be discussed with the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness before proposal submission to avoid any revision delays. Note: direct assessment-related questions to assessment@smu.edu.
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Request your faculty roster from the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness, if applicable, by e-mailing assessment@smu.edu. Faculty rosters will be used in place of Faculty CV's.
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Obtain approval for your online program, if applicable, through the Continuing Education Program Council (CEPC) before submitting your proposal to the Office of Curricular Innovation and Policy. Note: direct inquiries regarding this approval process to Associate Provost Michael Robertson at robertsonm@smu.edu.
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Direct questions regarding your proposal to the Associate Provost for Curricular Innovation and Policy, David Son at dson@smu.edu, and Brooke Guelker at bguelker@smu.edu.
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Submit finalized or revised proposals, electronically, to the Assistant to the Associate Provost for Curricular Innovation and Policy, Brooke Guelker at bguelker@smu.edu for inclusion on the EPC Agenda. Failure to do so may result in delays in your proposal being reviewed.
Forms
NOTE: Review the Instructions tab before filling out any of the forms.
Sample Proposals + Requests