Proposals to add, delete, or change courses or programs are submitted to the Academic Council by a faculty member after consultation with other department members, the academic dean and any other department that may be impacted by the proposed change. The Council ensures that courses or programs meet IHCC goals, fit into the College curriculum and MnTC goal area. The Council requires a two–reading review process to allow the campus community to read minutes and make comments regarding the proposed changes prior to final approval.
After the Academic Council approves new programs or certificates, additional approval must be given by MnSCU. This process involves gathering employment statistics, impact studies, student interest surveys, non-duplication of neighboring programs, and justification. The proposal is listed for comment by all MnSCU colleges. The program must follow the guidelines specified by MnSCU concerning the required number of credits and the required number of MnTC goal areas.
Career programs also meet additional accreditation or approval requirements. Program directors meet regularly with advisory boards and internship site supervisors and conduct employer and graduate surveys to verify that learning outcomes are met and are representative of work environment needs.
The process to design new programs and courses is described in 1C2 and 1P1. The following factors influence the development of new courses and programs:
· Emerging trends, fields, careers, research and applied methods within a discipline
· National discipline standards and accreditation requirements
· Faculty research and expertise
· Successful 1185 course (experimental courses) becoming permanent
· Student evaluations and site supervisor reports for internships
· Student responses on satisfaction surveys and graduate follow up surveys
· Employment studies and data, as required by MnSCU for program approval
· Advisory board and employer input
· Service Learning reports from students and agency
· Enrollment trends