GENERAL QUESTIONS

• What is the Office of Curriculum Development?

The Office of Curriculum Development consists of the Coordinator of Curriculum Development and the Curriculum Facilitation Team (CFT), all faculty from various areas of the College. We help faculty to develop curriculum documents that, once approved, become part of the College catalog and course schedule, so that students may enroll in them. We also assist faculty in revising existing curricula.

• What is the CFT?

The CFT are faculty who work closely with other faculty on the process of writing the curriculum documents, getting them ready for approval and implementation. The CFT work one-on-one with faculty writers, in person and virtually, and can assist with everything from setting up a drafting schedule to developing course learning outcomes, to updating curriculum maps with new assessment information, to creating new degree programs.

How do I get a curriculum facilitator?

Once the division dean has given the green light for your curriculum project, the Coordinator of Curriculum Development will assign you a curriculum facilitator

What is a curriculum document?

At Community College of Philadelphia, curricula (courses, certificates, and degree programs) are developed in the form of Word documents. The Office of Curriculum Development maintains and updates these documents as they are approved. These documents house the official content of the curriculum, including course and program learning outcomes, course descriptions, curriculum maps, and program course sequences. Each type of document has a template. You may request a template from your Curriculum Facilitator once your project is green lit. Templates change every year, so please request the latest template, and don’t use another curriculum document or an older template.

What is the approval process for a curriculum document?

New and revised courses and certificates or minor changes to programs are approved by the department head, division dean, and the Academic and Student Success Council. A signature process follows to ensure accuracy. Once approved, courses, certificates, and minor program changes can be put into production for the College catalog, course schedule, and My Degree Path. Following Academic and Student Success Council approval, major program changes, called program revisions, and new programs go “through governance,” which means that the Curriculum Committee and the Institution-Wide Committee (IWC) recommend the approval of the program. Once the President of the College sends out a memo approving the IWC’s recommendations, the program can go into production.

Why do we need to go through all this just to revise a course?

Community College of Philadelphia receives funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth’s Chapter 335, “Community College Courses” requires that all courses be created using an “outline.” The elements of this outline are the basis of the College’s course development template. This ensures that every course meets state requirements, including course title and description, course learning outcomes, a planned sequence of topics, and a list of resources. The curriculum development process also helps to fulfill the Chapter 335 requirements of maintaining catalog accuracy, providing documentation (i.e., the course “document”), and storing the documents, which the Department of Education may review at any time. The curriculum development process also helps the College to meet the standards of our regional accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, including designing student “learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels.”

What is the difference between a curriculum map, a catalog grid, a course sequence, a program map, and a courses and completion sequence?

We use similar terminology to refer to different (but related) aspects of curriculum.

• A curriculum map typically includes all of the program learning outcomes (PLOs) at one axis and courses in the program at the other to show how the sequence of courses help students achieve the program learning outcomes. Curriculum maps do not appear in the College catalog.
• The catalog grid and the course sequence are the same thing. You’ll find the course sequence below the program description on the program’s catalog page. You’ll see the course sequence organized by semester, with prerequisites and general education requirements in four columns, followed by the minimum credits needed to graduate.
• The program map, more commonly known as the courses and completion sequence, does not appear in the College catalog. The courses and completion sequence instead appears on the Degree and Certificate Programs page, which is organized by academic pathway. If you click on a program here, you will find more information about career options and transfer opportunities as well as the courses and completion sequence, which, although similar in layout to the course sequence in the catalog, provides additional information, including advisory notes to help students make choices and tell them more about what to expect from the program.

COURSES, CLOs, AND YOUR COURSE SYLLABUS

I have an idea for a new course. What should I do?

For a course to become a curriculum project, the division dean must first green light the project. This usually takes the form of an email from the faculty developer of the project and/or department head to the division dean that CCs the Coordinator of Curriculum Development. Before you contact your department head, you might consult the College catalog to see whether a similar course already exists at the College and consider how the course will fit into an existing degree or certificate program.

I’d like to change the title of the course, the course description, or the course number. How can I do that?

Minor changes to courses, such as changes to the title, designation (e.g., ENGL or FNMT), or course number can be done with a course addendum. Changes to the title, number, or designation may also necessitate changes to any program in which the course appears. As with all curriculum changes, you’ll need to consult with your department head and get a green light from the division dean.

The prerequisite for this course isn’t working for my students. What should I do?

Changing a course prerequisite requires a course addendum, at minimum; however, you should keep a few things in mind before making the change. Is the course part of a degree program or proficiency/academic certificate? You’ll probably need to do a certificate revision or program addendum to make sure the prerequisite change is reflected in all related curricula. Also, are you making the course more/less restrictive? Some prerequisite changes can make it much harder (or easier) for students to enroll in the course.

Where do I find the CLOs to put on my syllabus?

Approved current CLOs can be found on the Office of Curriculum Development web page, and you may also request the current course document and CLOs from the Office of Curriculum Development. Always check to make sure you are using the approved current CLOs on your syllabus and assignments.

How do I change the CLOs on my syllabus?

The CLOs may be changed only by doing an official course revision through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development that is then approved by the Academic and Student Success Council. The course revision will change the CLOs for all sections of the course, not just the one you are teaching. The CLOs that are on record with the Office of Curriculum Development are the only CLOs that you may include in your syllabus. These CLOs must also be the same as those used in AEFIS.

Can I just change a word or two in the CLOs on my syllabus to make them clearer for students?

No. The only way to change the CLOs is by doing an official course revision through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development that is then approved by the Academic and Student Success Council. If you feel that the CLOs for the course need to be changed or clarified, first contact your department head.

The CLOs I have don’t match the ones I see on someone else’s syllabus for the same course. What should I do?

Check to make sure that the CLOs that you put on your syllabus or assignments are the official CLOs on record with the Office of Curriculum Development. Inform others that the CLOs they have are not the current CLOs on record and refer them to the Office of Curriculum Development.

How long does it take to get a new course or course revision approved?

Depending on the scope and complexity of the course, whether it’s related to other courses or curriculum projects under development, and how much time and energy you can devote to it, the average time to get a new course or course revision approved is eight to ten months. Course addenda usually take much less time.

PROGRAMS, CERTIFICATES, and PLOs

I have an idea for a new program or certificate. What should I do?

For a program or certificate to become a curriculum project, the department head and division dean must first green light the project. This usually takes the form of an email to/from the faculty developer of the project and/or department head that CCs the Coordinator of Curriculum Development. Before you contact your department head, you might consult the College catalog to see whether a similar program or certificate already exists at the College.

How do I change the PLOs for my program or certificate?

The PLOs may only be changed by doing either a program addendum (minor changes) or a program revision (major changes, like changing minimum credits) through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development, which is then approved by the Academic and Student Success Council or goes through governance. Updating PLOs requires at least a program addendum. Any update to PLOs means that you’ll also need to update the curriculum map. The PLOs that are on record with the Office of Curriculum Development should be the same PLOs that you use in AEFIS or in other program or course materials.

I want to make a few adjustments to some information in the catalog description of my program. When should I do that?

The program description may be changed only by doing either a program addendum (minor changes) or a program revision (major changes, such as a change in credits) through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development that’s approved by the Academic and Student Success Council or goes through governance. Updating the catalog description requires at least a program addendum.

I’d like to create a certificate program for faculty. What should I do?

Programs and other professional development for faculty don’t go through Curriculum Development. Contact your department chair or division dean to find out more.

CURRICULUM MAPS

Why does a curriculum map matter?

The curriculum map demonstrates the program’s internal coherence. It shows how the sequence of courses help students attain the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the program learning outcomes (PLOs), earn a associates degree, and enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution. The curriculum map also indicates which courses introduce and reinforce the PLOs, when and if mastery of the PLOs occurs, and when and where the PLOs are assessed. Curriculum maps are a key part of program assessment.

I want to change the curriculum map for my program. Where do I start?

Changing a curriculum map requires at least a program addendum (minor changes) or a program revision (major changes, such as a change in credits) through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development, which is then approved by the Academic and Student Success Council or goes through governance.

What do the letters I, R, M, A stand for?

Curriculum maps typically include all of the program learning outcomes (PLOs) at one axis and courses in the program at the other. Courses may include major courses, courses in other disciplines, or general education courses, if they help students achieve the PLOs. The letters I, R, M, A (the “Irmas”) are positioned to indicate the alignment of the PLOs and the courses. The letter I stands for “Introduced,” R for “Reinforced,” M for “Mastered,” and A for “Assessed.”

What is the appropriate number of “As” in a curriculum map?

The letter A should appear in every course where you assess students’ progress with the learning outcomes. There is no set number, but the As should indicate that you are assessing students at multiple points during their program course sequence.

What if I want to modify or add the “As” in my curriculum map?

You cannot change the As (or anything else) in the curriculum map without a program addendum (minor changes) or a program revision (major changes, such as a change in credits) through your department head, division dean, and the Office of Curriculum Development that’s then approved by the Academic and Student Success Council or goes through governance.

What is the relationship between micro map and a curriculum map?

Micro-mapping is the term used to think about how CLOs map to PLOs. Micro-mapping begins with the curriculum map, and indicates which of the CLOs map to the PLO, everywhere there is an A for assessment. It is a discreet, micro map of the curriculum map.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

How long does it take to get a curriculum project approved?

Depending on the type, scope, and complexity of the project, the average time to get most curriculum projects approved is five to eight months, from start to finish. We strongly recommend working on curriculum projects in the spring and summer to prepare them for the approval process in the fall.

Why can’t I make curriculum changes right now?

Curriculum projects that you want to have in the catalog, course schedule, and My Degree Path in the Fall must be ready for registration that previous Spring semester. For example, a new course for Fall 2022 must be ready for registration in March of 2022, and there are many steps before it can be ready for registration, including development, approval, signatures, marketing, and scheduling. Contact the Office of Curriculum Development for more information.

COURSE DELIVERY, MINOR CHANGES, TIMING, and OTHER ISSUES

Do I need to go through the Office of Curriculum Development if I want to move my course to hybrid or online format?

No. Discuss changes in the delivery method for your course with your department head.

I only want change certain parts of a course document. What does that entail?

Any change to the course document requires a course addendum at minimum (to change the course title, description, or prerequisites) or a full course revision (to change CLOs, methods of assessment, course topics, or credit hours)

Do I have to do an official course revision if I want to change the textbook or some assignments?

No, but some departments review and choose textbooks and assignment collaboratively, so check with your department head or the program’s coordinator before making this kind of change.

Do I need to do a full course revision to change a course’s title, description, or prerequisites?

No. To change the title, description, or prerequisites for a course, you’ll need to do a course addendum. Changes to title or prerequisites may also necessitate changes to any program or certificate in which the course appears.

When do my revised course CLOs or PLOs become effective?

To do a CLO revision, you must do a full course revision. A PLO revision requires a program addendum or program revision. Standard procedure is for approved course revisions, program addenda, or program revisions to become effective in the fall of the next catalog year. For example, a course revision approved by the Academic and Student Success Council in September 2021 or January 2022 will become effective in Fall 2022.

When does my revised curriculum map become effective?

To change the curriculum map, you must do at least a program addendum or a program revision for major changes. Standard procedure is for approved program addenda or program revisions to become effective in the fall of the next catalog year.

How often can I change CLOs/PLOs?

Your department may want to reevaluate its course and program learning outcomes frequently and make changes to keep up with changing pedagogy or technology or to keep pace with students’ needs. Keep in mind, however, that changes to CLOs and PLOs will mean adjustment to the assessment of those CLOs and PLOs because CLOs and PLOs must be consistent with AEFIS.

What if I have more questions?

You can always contact the Office of Curriculum Development for more information.