Guidance: Course Proposal Review Workflow and Timeline
Developing and approving a new course, or revising an existing one, requires multiple levels of review at UConn. The speed and efficiency of this process depend on planning ahead and submitting a thorough, accurate proposal. Proposals that are returned to faculty to address identified concerns will extend the review timeline.
This guidance provided below are designed to help faculty anticipate the time required for course approval and to avoid common pitfalls that delay progress. Careful preparation and early submission are the best ways to ensure your course is ready for inclusion in the University Catalog.
Key Factors Affecting Workflow Speed
Cross-listed courses and those seeking Common Curriculum designations (e.g., W, Q, or Topics of Inquiry) require review by multiple committees. More attributes = more steps.
- Incomplete or unclear proposals cause delays.
- Be sure to include all required elements, especially the Model Course Syllabus. Missing or vague information will lead committees to send the proposal back for clarification.
Errors in the Course Inventory Management (CIM) form—such as failing to check boxes for W or Common Curriculum attributes—can cause the proposal to skip required committees. Once caught, the proposal must be re-routed, delaying approval. Double-check your course attributes before submitting.
- Proposals submitted early in the semester move faster. Committees face heavier workloads closer to catalog and registration deadlines.
- Committees do not meet during breaks, so plan around academic calendars.
Departments and colleges set their own schedules. Some committees meet biweekly, others monthly. Your proposal may wait until the next scheduled meeting.
The scenario below gives an example of a proposal progressing through the system. Specific timelines will differ depending on the semester, the number of committees involved, committee member engagement in the process, submitting faculty member’s responsiveness to reviewer requests, and committee meeting schedules.
A cross-listed course seeking Common Curriculum designations (TOI-2, TOI-3, and W). Submitted on Friday, September 5.
- September 5: Proposal submitted via CIM.
- September 30: Reviewed and approved by both departmental curriculum committees.
- October 14: Reviewed by CLAS Curriculum Committee. Approved and forwarded by October 17.
- October 21–24: Reviewed by Common Curriculum subcommittees (TOI-2, TOI-3, W). Earliest possible approval to full CCC: November 10.
- November 20: Reviewed by Senate C&C.
- December 1: Consent agenda item at full University Senate meeting. (If delayed by Thanksgiving, approval may move to February.)
Best Case Outcome: Submitted in early September, approved by Senate on December 1—just in time for the February 5 catalog deadline.
Sample Workflow Calendar (Illustration Only)
