Spartans Online Increasing access to quality education Basic Academic Certificate Program Proposals This document is designed to provide the information needed to prepare a proposal for a new basic academic certificate program. It follows the guidelines provided in the spring 13 university policy regarding the review and approval process for academic certificate programs http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S13-10.pdf

1) Outline of Review Process

Following inception of an idea, the overall feasibility within the department with regard to resources should be discussed with the department chair and the faculty member who intends to take the lead through the review and approval process. Assuming the idea appears feasible, the next step would be to prepare a proposal for the department curriculum committee to review. If the proposal calls for coursework from other departments, the proposal should include information (e.g. scheduling, resources, allocation of revenue) that will subsequently lead to an MOU with participating departments. Assuming approval obtained from the department curriculum committee, the next step would be to confer with your library liaison and obtain their sign off (appendix A) on the proposed basic certificate followed by discussions with the following depending on circumstances: o If the basic certificate will include coursework from other departments, this is the logical point to secure their participation. Depending on the extent to which another department would be involved this could take substantial time - e.g. time for review by their departmental curriculum committee. o If the strategy will be to offer some or all of the coursework through special session, discussions will be needed with SJSU Online staff in CIES. . Work out finances to the point where you feel comfortable that your that your certificate program is sustainable (e.g. sufficient enrollment to support offering needed courses over time). o If plans include special session offerings, work out finances to the point where you are confident you can generate sufficient revenue for the certificate program to be sustainable. CIES can assist with budget planning/analysis. . Confirm there is interest in the certificate program (e.g. survey peers, current students, employers). If plans include special session offerings, complete market analysis to verify feasibility of the basic certificate program. CIES can assist with planning and implementation of a market analysis. 2

If any substantive changes are made to the original proposal based on the information collected, the department curriculum committee and department chair should be apprised and given an opportunity for input prior to submitting a proposal to the Dean. Submit the proposal for review and approval to your college Dean and college curriculum committee. Upon approval, the Dean submits the proposal and approval to the Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. The chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee sends reviews and the proposal to the Provost for final review and approval. 3

2) Certificate Review Criteria

. Are all courses in the certificate program approved? Program consists of at least 9 units of coursework all comprised of 200 level coursework. . Is the program adequately justified? o Is there a need for the program? o Is there an adequate justification for the inclusion of each course in the program? . Is the program feasible? o Does it have the necessary resources (faculty, space, equipment, material, etc.) without having a detrimental impact on existing degree programs? o Does the program provide opportunities for students to pursue specialized and/or focused educational objectives? . Has the proposal followed the established approval process? . Does the proposal contain clear and measurable program level learning outcomes for students and an appropriate assessment plan for those outcomes?

3) Basic Certificate Requirements (see policy for details)

. Basic certificate programs must include a minimum of 9 units of coursework . Basic certificate programs may include lower-division and upper-division courses . A basic certificate program cannot substitute for an approved major, minor, or emphasis program where one is required for the student’s degree . The grading option of credit/no credit is available for courses in basic certificate . The adviser for (or director of) the certificate program is responsible for verifying a student’s satisfactory completion of the academic requirements established for the program 4

Basic Certificate Program Proposal Template

4) Title of Program:

‘Home’ Department for the Proposal

College of ‘Home’ Department

Date:

Lead/Program Originator Contact Person in Home Department Name: Department: Email: Phone: 5

5) Proposal Content

Proposal Content Page Introduction (including program description) Program Justification Program Objectives Assessment Plan Ability to Offer Certificate Program Impact on existing baccalaureate and masters programs

Appendices Appendix A: Signature Form(s) Appendix B: Market Analysis Report Appendix C: Catalog Copy of Program Information Appendix D: Course Syllabi Appendix E: New Course Proposal Form(s) 6

Basic Certificate Program Proposal

6) Program Name:

Introduction; Include in this section: Genesis of idea Description of Certificate program including intended market(s) and curriculum structure/content. Program Justification; Include in this section: Professional, community, and/or student need with supporting evidence (e.g. surveys, letters of support, media copy) Summary of market analysis (report in Appendix B) where applicable Value added for program participants Program Objectives; Include in this section: Learning outcomes specific to the certificate program Program curriculum outline and course descriptions for the certificate program (syllabi in Appendix D) Justification for the inclusion of each course in the certificate program Connection between course and program objectives Assessment Plan; Include in this section: Plan for evaluating the student learning objectives identified in the program objectives section Ability to Offer Certificate Program; Include in this section: Administration and logistical support plan Instructional resources, teaching plan, space and equipment needs, and availability, where applicable If applicable, support for online delivery of instruction Availability of library resources to support the certificate program Impact on existing baccalaureate and masters programs; Include in this section: Information that provides assurance that offering the certificate program will have a minimal effect on existing baccalaureate and master’s programs. 7 8

Appendix A: Signature Form(s) List here the approval forms/letters that will follow. Department Curriculum Committee Department Chair College Dean College Curriculum Committee - where applicable (not required) Library Liaison Spartans Online Director - where applicable (not required) 9

Appendix B: Market Analysis Report Where applicable, provide an executive summary followed by a concise report of the market analyses conducted. 10

Appendix C: Catalog Copy of Program Information This section must include: Brief statement of purpose Admissions requirements Course requirements Total number of units GPA needed to receive the certificate if other than a minimum of 2.0 for basic certificates Program adviser or source of information about the program. Number of units applicable (if any) to a degree and/or major depending upon matriculation status (with the caveat that the units require adviser consent). 11

Appendix D: Course Syllabi List here the courses in the certificate program followed on subsequent pages by the syllabus (greensheet) for each. 12

Appendix E: New Course Proposal Form(s) List here any new courses associated with the certificate program followed on subsequent pages by the new course proposal form for each course. URL to forms: http://www.sjsu.edu/ugs/faculty/curriculum/forms/