rowan university

Curricular Definitions

Area of Study Certification Program: An undergraduate program comprised of a coherent pattern of courses (18-30 semester hours). Normally, the program is open only to graduates, but other qualified individuals may apply. At least 15 semester hours or two-thirds (2/3) of the semester hour credits (whichever is greater) must be completed at the college; no less than one-half (1/2) of the credits at the upper division level.

Concentration: may have two (2) meanings:
a. A coordinated grouping of courses in disciplines that do not have major programs.
b. An inter/multi-disciplinary grouping of courses focused on common subject matter.
Concentrations shall have stated goals and a suggested distribution and sequence of courses. They shall consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours and a maximum of 24 semester hours.

Field Experience: College-supervised experience which includes student activities within the formal classroom and in the community. Grades and semester hour credit may be assigned only by faculty.

Goals: General Outcomes of a program or course.

Graduate Program: A pattern of courses, normally within a discipline, leading to graduate certification, master's degree or doctoral degree.

Major Program: A pattern of courses, normally within a discipline, as required for a degree.

Minor Program: A grouping of selected, related and approved courses that originate under a major degree program. The minor has stated goals and a suggested distribution and sequence of courses to include lower and upper level. (Minors shall consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours in a specified field other than one's major.)

Open Hearing: Scheduled by the College or Senate Curriculum Committee; interested members of the University Community may discuss, review, or question the proposal.

Objectives: Objectives in terms of intellectual achievements, skills, or behaviors which the student will exhibit at completion of the course or program.

Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) and Certificate of Advanced of Graduate Study (CAGS): Certificate program proposals will need to indicate which level of certificate is being sought. The COGS indicate post-baccalaureate achievement and the CAGS indicate achievement beyond the Master's degree. Both will consist of a coherent pattern of 9-24 semester hours of graduate courses. Applicants seeking admission to a certificate of advanced study program must meet normal admission requirements except that G.R.E. scores will not be required. No more than three (3) semester hour credits from other institutions may be transferred to meet requirements of this program. Course work offered for these Certificates, while in every way appropriately designated graduate course work, may not necessarily fulfill programmatic requirements in individual graduate programs or conceivably in any graduate program except as electives. This certificate program is not designed for those who intend to matriculate in a master's degree program.

Quasi-Curricular Proposals: The SCC will preliminarily identify quasi-curricular proposals and forward them to the Executive Committee of the Senate, to route and track quasi-curriculum proposals, and to respond to queries concerning quasi-curricular proposals in process. The Executive Committee of the Senate is to be responsible for determining the final disposition of proposals preliminarily identified as "quasi-curricular" by the Curriculum Committee. The Executive Committee of the Senate is to be responsible for the establishment of procedures by which open hearings may be held before the Senate. Quasi-curricular proposals include the creation of a new department or college or dissolution of an existing department or college, and the shift of a department from one college to another.

Seminar: Small group experience (no more than 15 students). Emphasis is on the inter-relationship and discussion of shared knowledge within a given discipline.

Selected Topics Courses:
- The standard title will be Selected Topics in (discipline): (topic) or SEMINAR: (topic)
- Any particular selected topics may only be only offered once within a period of three years. If more frequent offerings seem necessary, exceptions must be approved by the Chairperson of the Senate Curriculum Committee, the appropriate Dean, and the Executive Vice President/Provost. Requests for policy exceptions relating to contracted or in-service courses will be given special and timely consideration.
- Departments must specify screening procedures within the department for selection of the actual topics. Any proposals for new selected topics courses must include the department’s procedures for selection of specific topics.
- The titles of the courses offered when they appear in the Master Schedule of Classes and on student transcripts will include the actual selected topic. (Approved policy as of 6/14/88.)

Specialization: Courses pursued by a student within a major degree program that are focused in a cohesive area of the major program. Minimum of 12 semester hours.

Structure and Function of Curriculum Committees: See document on restructuring the Senate Curriculum Committees (approved 4/26/98).

Variable Credit: The assignment of a range of credits to any course or instructional unit. (See May 14, l976 Senate report for valuation, methods, and limitations.)