Curriculum Policy and Process

CCPS is a university contractual committee, charged with reviewing and recommending for approval all university curricular changes. The committee consists of elected faculty members and a representative from the Provost's office. The CCPS chair serves as a liaison to The Faculty Senate.

Faculty submit major curricular changes, Special Topics, and Experimental course proposals during the Fall or Spring semester, according to the established CCPS deadlines. Approved major changes are implemented on the course schedule the following fall semester. Minor changes and distance education proposals are accepted on a rolling deadline.

 

The general process is as follows:

• The department proposing the course obtains the appropriate forms from this website and submits the completed forms to CCPS.
• CCPS reviews the submission and coordinates with the submitting department.
• CCPS sends its recommendation to the Faculty Senate.
• The Faculty Senate notifies the Registrar of a positive action.

Refer to the Procedures for Implementing Curricular Change for specific instructions and forms (link to manual)
Please contact the Committee on Courses and Programs of Study Chairperson with questions: Dr. Barry Sweet, chair, 814 393 2205

Current CCPS members: [email link each name]

• Dr. Vasudeva Rao Aravind, 814 393 2713
• Dr. Mark Lepore, 814 393 2474
• Dr. Yoo-Jin Ha, 814 393 2014
• Dr. David Lott, 814 393 1219
• Dr. Lacey Fulton, 814 393 2265
• Dr. Daniel Shifflet, 814 393 1939
• Dr. David Hartley, administration representative, 814 393 2223

Forms and information

Cover Sheet for Curricular Changes
All program and course proposals require this cover sheet. This PDF must be downloaded and saved before any changes are made. It is the cover sheet for CCPS Proposals. For new courses and programs of study you will be asked to identify a CIP code (classification of instructional programs) which identifies the disciplinary content area for the program or course.

Assigning CIP codes
New courses and programs of study require a CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs), which may be found on this website. Review the course/program description, student learning outcomes, and curriculum to help determine the correct CIP code and include it on the coversheet when submitting curricular proposals for courses and programs.

Cover Sheet and Supporting Documentation Example
This PDF provides an example of a cover sheet for curricular change with supporting
documentation.

Distance Education Course Approval Form for Existing Credit-Bearing Courses
Use this form to submit proposals to qualify an existing class for distance education modality (ITV/Live Zoom, Web).

PASSHE Board of Governor Curricular Policy

Requirements for program additions or changes
BoG criteria for new programs
CCPS Proposal website

The CCPS Proposal web site contains all current forms, and all current course/program proposals. The site also archives past proposals. Access is restricted to Clarion employees; when prompted, employees must enter their Clarion credentials.

General Education Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of general education at PennWest Clarion:

• Students will mature in their understanding of the creative, natural, social and cultural forces that shape the world.
• Students will develop intellectual inquiry and problem-solving skills, leading to actual world practice.
• Students will commit to personal, professional, and civic responsibility.
• Students will integrate and apply their learning across general and specialized fields.

General Education Policies/Forms

PennWest Clarion General Education Policy

PennWest Clarion General Education Program – A detailed guide to requirements, learning outcomes, and assessment

Summary of General Education Requirements 

General Education curricular change forms

Proposals to include a course in the general education program or to add a flag to an existing course are made through CCPS following the procedures outlined above, and using the below forms.

General Education Program Course Request
Use this form to submit requests to propose a course for one of the following general
education distribution areas:

I. Liberal Education Skills
II. Liberal Knowledge
A. Physical and Biological Sciences
B. Social and Behavioral Sciences
C. Arts and Humanities
III. Health and Personal Performance
IV. General Education Electives

General Education Program Flag Request
Use this form to submit requests to add a flag to an existing course for inclusion in general education. Note that a course may not carry more than 2 flags. For a complete description of the expectations and leaning outcomes for flagged courses, refer to the General Education Program document.

• Writing intensive flag (W)
• First-year values flag (V)
• Second-year values flag (S)
• Quantitative reasoning flag (Q-flag)
• Information literacy flag (I-flag)