The College

Curricular Design and Proposals

As part of its broader charge to "examine, evaluate, and approve all educational offerings" in Brown’s undergraduate curriculum, the College Curriculum Council approves new courses and programs of study, including concentrations, certificates, degree options (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science), and optional or required tracks, as well as substantive modifications to existing programs of study.

Proposing New Courses

Information about proposing new courses, including the review and approval process, can be accessed on Designing New Courses. See also CCC Guidelines and Reports

Course proposals should be submitted by the deadlines listed on the Registrar’s site in order to be approved by key pre-registration and semester start dates. Course proposals submitted after these deadlines are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Designing New Courses

Proposing Changes to Existing Academic Programs

Proposals to modify concentration or certificate requirements (including changes to the core and elective courses and honors requirements) should be submitted via online form, ideally in the fall term for publication in the following year's University Bulletin by its February deadline.

Proposal Contents

Proposals should explain the rationale for the proposed change(s), any pertinent data or other information that helped motivate the change and/or supports the rationale, any known potential consequences of the change (intended and unintended, including impact to course enrollments, etc.), the desired implementation date for changes (e.g., "beginning with students who declare in spring 2019"), and a table with the current and the proposed concentration/certificate requirements.

Proposals are reviewed by the Executive Committee and, depending on the nature of the proposal, a decision might be rendered or the matter may be discussed and voted on at a meeting of the full CCC. In some cases, faculty are invited to the Executive Committee or the full CCC to address related questions.

Submit a Proposal for Concentration/Certificate Changes

Proposing New Academic Programs

Guidelines

Academic units should carefully review the CCC guidelines for new undergraduate concentrations or new undergraduate certificate programs prior to submitting the proposal for a new undergraduate academic program.

Jointly Administered Concentrations

Proposals for jointly administered concentrations (i.e. concentrations proposed by more than one department or program) and for concentrations housed in non-departmental units (e.g. interdisciplinary centers) must adhere to additional requirements to ensure appropriate oversight and advising structures, and these are published in the New Concentrations Guidelines.

Submit a Proposal for a New Undergraduate Academic Program