CEP Committee Quick Facts
General Information on the CEP Committee
What is the CEP and who set up this committee?
Curriculum and Educational Policy (CEP). The committee was established by the faculty and is described in the SEBS Bylaws (356k PDF). The CEP charge is:
“To consider and to approve all proposals for new undergraduate courses, deletion of old courses or changes in content of courses, and requests for independent majors brought before it. To consider and vote on all changes in curricular programs for recommendation to the SEBS Faculty. To provide oversight to the Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN) Program. Proposals for the consideration of the committee may come from Department Chairs, Undergraduate Program Directors, the Dean of Academic Programs, the Executive Dean, or University administration. Recommendations from the Committee regarding changes to curricular programs shall be presented to the SEBS faculty for final approval at the faculty’s next scheduled meeting.”
Undergraduate is the operative word. The CEP deals only with undergraduate matters.
Who serves on the CEP?
As per the SEBS Bylaws, “The Committee shall be composed of the School Undergraduate Program Directors, the Dean of Academic Programs or designee, the Cook Campus Dean or designee, the Dean of Agricultural and Urban Programs, the Dean of International Programs and two students.”
When does the CEP meet?
Currently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEP discusses proposals asynchronously through Canvas, and Zoom meetings are arranged as needed. Under normal circumstances, the CEP meets every month during the academic year, on a Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the conference room on the third floor of Martin Hall.
What is the pathway for obtaining course or curricular approval?
- Undergraduate program or academic department must review and endorse the proposal.
- The proposal is then submitted to the CEP for curricular and pedagogical review.
- The proposal is then submitted to the Undergraduate Education Council (UEC): Rutgers New Brunswick-wide program coordination review.
- Lastly, the SEBS Faculty have final approval at a faculty meeting held twice during each semester.
New Courses and Revised Courses
Does the CEP review new course proposals?
Yes.
I am planning to change to an existing course. What sorts of changes require CEP review?
Any change requires CEP review. Examples include, but are not limited to: changes to the index for a course that would change the undergraduate catalog, Degree Navigator, or the schedule of classes; realignment of a course with a new major; cross-listing a course, change in course number, grading type or credits offered; a change in course content; a change in the method of teaching such as changing from in-person to online or hybrid format; or offering a regular semester course in summer/winter session. If in doubt ask the the CEP program coordinator (kaf38@rutgers.edu).
There is an existing course that hasn’t been taught for many years. Is it necessary to get CEP approval to offer the course again?
Yes. Course requirements are constantly evolving. For example, a recent new requirement is that all courses have Learning Goals and an assessment plan. In addition, if a course has not been offered in many years it is your responsibility to show that the new syllabus is identical to the old one. If you are reviving an old course, submit it for CEP review.
How long does it take to get a course reviewed and approved?
Proposals will be accepted continuously through the semester. Each proposal cycle is about two weeks long (nine/ten days for discussion and four/five days for voting). Proposers need to be mindful of the dates when online course registration begins because unless the newly approved course is added to the master list of courses, it cannot be scheduled and students will be unable to register for it. Course registration opens in early March for the fall semester and early October for the spring semester.
Submit your proposal through the CEP Proposal Submission website. Just click on the current semester and you will be directed to a questionnaire. Before completing the questionnaire, please prepare the needed documents using the CEP Proposal Planner. If you need help, contact the CEP program coordinator (kaf38@rutgers.edu).
How do I go about requesting CEP review of a changed course or a new course?
There are 3 steps:
- First consult with your Undergraduate Program Director.
- Your program faculty must endorse your proposal. Your UPD will manage the review.
- Your UPD must submit the proposal to CEP.
What kinds of information will I need to provide?
- A detailed syllabus including topics, readings, assignments, etc. The syllabus MUST contain the course Learning Goals and a plan for assessing the learning goals. Please consult with your UPD or/and the Dean of Academic Programs if you need help to write Learning Goals and formulation of an assessment plan. All proposals require a syllabus, even if a minor change is being requested.
- If the course fulfills a program Learning Goal of your undergraduate program, this information must be prominently displayed on the syllabus; e.g., ‘This course fulfills learning goal [fill-in the blank] of the major in [fill-in the blank].’
- A rationale for the change or new course proposal. Answer- what need does the course fulfill.
- A filled-in cover sheet with the course index number, course name, credits, grading type, prerequisites. The cover sheet is filled online at the CEP Proposal Submission website. Your UPD will help.
- Proposals to create or modify an existing course to Online or Hybrid format must also address the policy for this teaching method.
- Proposals to create or modify an existing course that will fulfill the SEBS Experiential Learning requirement must address the policy for this core curriculum learning goal.
- Also submit a fully completed Master Course List (MCL) Revision Form.
I would like my course to be certified for the common Learning-Based Core Curriculum. I believe it will attract more students that way. Does the CEP certify core courses?
No—the CEP does not certify core courses. That task is the responsibility of the Core Requirements Committee (CRC) and is a separate application process. There is one exception. The Experiential Learning learning goal.
Curricula, Programs, and Policies
I understand that the CEP reviews Educational Policies? What’s that?
An education policy is any guidance for managing a curricular matter such as, but not limited to: rules for online/hybrid courses and Experiential Learning, articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding with other educational institutions, new or revised curricula (including minors and certificates), or student requests for independent majors (curriculum code 554).
A few of my faculty colleagues want to form a new undergraduate program. Does this require CEP review?
Yes.
The undergraduate program that I am affiliated with wants to change the requirements for the major. Does a change to a major require CEP review?
Yes.
How do I go about requesting CEP review of an educational policy concept or a change to an undergraduate program?
Each idea is judged based on the details and merits of the concept. If you have an idea and wish to develop a proposal please consult your program director or the Dean of Academic Programs. A submission template for your proposal can be found at the proposal submission site.
The curriculum that we are planning might duplicate a curriculum at another school of Rutgers New Brunswick. Is that a problem?
Duplication of a curriculum or course can present a roadblock to approval if you do not first engage with the faculty of the potentially conflicting department or program. A new policy implemented in 2017 by the New Brunswick Chancellor’s office requires that faculty and schools work collaboratively to avoid redundancy and conflict over program and course offerings. Before final approval, all proposals are forwarded to the Undergraduate Education Council for a 2-week comment period. If a concern is raised the faculty will be required to resolve the differences before the proposal can be approved.