Skip to main content
Penn State Behrend
Report a Concern Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Graduate Programs
    • Open Lab Learning
    • Research Opportunities
    • Black School of Business
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
    • School of Science
    • Nursing Program
  • Admissions
    • About Penn State Behrend
    • First-Year Students
    • Transfer Students
    • International Students
    • Change of Campus Students
    • Adult Learners
    • Graduate Students
    • Applying to Behrend
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • Commuter Life
    • Residence Life
    • Dining on Campus
    • Athletics and Recreation
    • Clubs and Activities
    • Diversity and Belonging
    • Student Services
    • Safety on Campus
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Donors & Friends
    • Business & Community Partners
    • Visitors
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Behrend
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Report a Concern Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • This is Penn State Behrend
    • About Penn State Behrend
    • Behrend as an Open Lab
    • Behrend: A Best Value
    • Vision of a Behrend Graduate
    • College Calendars
    • College Leadership
    • People and Departments
    • Visit Behrend
    • Give to Behrend
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Exploratory (Undeclared)
    • Adult Learner Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Academic Advising
    • Career Services
    • College Registrar
  • Admissions and Aid
    • Penn State Behrend At A Glance
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Visiting Behrend
    • Applying to Behrend
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • On-Campus Housing
    • Off-Campus Housing
    • Commuter Resources
    • Dining on Campus
    • Fitness and Recreation
    • Student Activities
    • Safety on Campus
  • Athletics
  • Research and Outreach
    • Research
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research
    • Outreach
    • James R. Meehl Innovation Commons
    • Knowledge Park
    • K-12 Education Outreach
    • Pennsylvania Sea Grant

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Donors & Friends
  • Business & Community Partners
  • Visitors

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • Directions to Campus
  • Parking on Campus
  • Safety on Campus
  • Behrend Blog
  • Calendars
  • Directories

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  1. Home
  2. Faculty and Staff
  3. Curriculum Revision 101

Tips for Proposal Success

Use these links to jump to a specific topic.

  • New Courses/Course Changes
  • New Programs/Program Changes
  • Exceptions to the “Typical Process”

New Courses/Course Changes

TopicDescription
Proposal SummaryBe sure this is an accurate reflection of what the new course is doing or what is being changed from the old course and why. It will not be seen by students, but it is the first thing every reviewer will read.
Public Course Description for Bulletin & Schedule of CoursesThis will be what students see about the course. Please proofread this section carefully. Also, be sure that the description is written to be durable and will not be outdated in 5 years.
Course Learning ObjectivesCourse Learning Objectives must be assessable; they should not be a summary of the course content. This is a common reason that a proposal is sent back and delayed.
How will the Course Learning Objectives be assessed?A simple percentage breakdown by type of assignment: exams, case studies, homework, quizzes, video analysis, papers, etc., with percentages is all that is necessary.
A listing of the major topics to be covered with an approximate length of time allotted for their discussionThis breakdown must be given in HOURS (not weeks) because courses may be taught in lengths other than 15 weeks.
ConsultationProposers MUST list individual faculty in the Consultation Members. This should include faculty from the proposer’s field and someone from every discipline affected by the course at other campuses (including at least 1 at UP). Normally this list is 6-15 people. Disciplinary Groups are not enough – these rarely result in any feedback. Lack of thorough consultation is the top reason that proposals are sent back and delayed.
Adding more consultants laterIf you need to add consultation after it has already gone through consultation, you can add members, but CIM will not email them to tell them a proposal is there. You will need to contact them directly to let them know.
Consultation CommentsEvery issue raised in a comment requires a response, either explaining how it was addressed or why you think no change is necessary. You do not need to thank anyone or respond to positive comments. All comments are archived with the proposal and will remain there.

New Programs/Program Changes

TopicDescription
Proposal SummaryBe sure this is an accurate reflection of what the new course is doing or what is being changed from the old course and why. It will not be seen by students, but it is the first thing every reviewer will read.
Public Program Description for the BulletinThis will be what students see about the course. Please proofread this section carefully. Also, be sure that the description is written to be durable and will not be outdated in 5 years.
Double-Counting General Education CoursesWhen listing Gen Ed courses that are required by the major, you need to write a justification. If you are requiring CAS100A-C, you need to address the public speaking or research presentations necessary in the field. Likewise, for ENGL 15/30 or ENGL 202 A-D, you need to explain the fundamental place of writing within the major.
CreditsThe most common errors on program proposals are in calculating the number of credits. Please double-check these.
ConsultationProposers MUST list individual faculty in the Consultation Members. This should include multiple faculty from the proposer’s field at other campuses (including at least 1 at UP). If the program is drawing from multiple disciplines, every discipline should be represented in the consultation. Normally this list is 6-15 people. Disciplinary Groups are not enough – these rarely result in any feedback.
Adding more consultants laterIf you need to add consultation after it has already gone through consultation, you can add members, but CIM will not email them to tell them a proposal is there. You will need to contact them directly to let them know.
Consultation CommentsEvery issue raised in a comment requires a response, either explaining how it was addressed or why you think no change is necessary. You do not need to thank anyone or respond to positive comments. All comments are archived with the proposal and will remain there. If someone contacts you by email with a comment and you would like their comment and your response, you can request that they enter it, or a summary of your conversation, as a comment on the proposal.

Exceptions to the “Typical Process”

There are some expedited processes for certain types of changes. For instance, the external proposal can be directly developed for situations including:

  • Removal of pre-requisite where a course is no longer offered
  • Spelling corrections; course title corrections
  • Corrections to improve or clarify wording and intent.

Consult CIM directly for more on expedited processes.

Curriculum Revision 101

  • Internal Proposal FAQ
    • Behrend Curricular Development Form
  • External Proposal FAQ
  • Tips for Proposal Success
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Behrend highlighted

Penn State Behrend

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers the learning opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming, student-centered campus environment.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Contact Us Visit Us Apply Now
  • This is Penn State Behrend
    • Behrend At A Glance
    • Vision of a Behrend Graduate
    • College Calendars
    • College History
    • College Leadership
    • College Strategy
    • Employment
    • People and Departments
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Graduate Programs
    • Advising Center
    • Bookstore
    • Career Services
    • Center for Learning Excellence
    • College Registrar
    • Lilley Library
    • Student Success
    • Study Abroad
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Adult Learners
    • Change of Campus Students
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Veterans
  • Research/Outreach
    • Research
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research
    • Outreach
    • Community and Workforce Programs
    • James R. Meehl Innovation Commons
    • Knowledge Park
    • Pennsylvania Sea Grant
    • Plastics Training Academy
    • WPSE Radio
    • Yahn Planetarium
    • Youth Outreach
  • Student Life
    • Dining on Campus
    • Housing and Residence Life
    • Commuter Student Resources
    • International Student Services
    • Equity and Diversity
    • Athletics and Intramurals
    • Student Leadership and Involvement
    • Student Services
  • Academic Schools
    • Black School of Business
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
    • School of Science
    • Nursing Program
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid
    • Aid Opportunities and Deadlines
    • Financial Literacy
    • Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Helpful Links
    • Campus Map
    • Virtual Tour
    • Directions
    • Parking
    • Safety
    • Behrend Blog
    • Calendars
    • People and Departments
Penn State University
4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563 814-898-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Map
  • Website Feedback
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2025
  • We Are Penn State