The General Education (GE) Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving existing courses for inclusion in the GE program. The committee uses both GE Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and GE Area Learning Outcomes (LOs) as criteria for certification decisions. If GE requirements change, or if otherwise necessary, the committee may request recertification of courses. This policy takes effect in September 2025 and supersedes all prior GE approval processes.
If you are faculty, here is how to propose a new GE course:
STEP 1: Develop
Select the General Education (GE) attribute(s) that best align with your course’s discipline (e.g., Social Science or LVE 100). A course may apply for only one GE attribute, except in cases where it can also qualify for the LVE attribute (e.g., a course may apply for both LVSS and LVE 100). Please ensure that the course is already listed in the catalog and/or has been approved by the appropriate curriculum review body.
Design or revise the course syllabus to fully address all student learning outcomes associated with the selected attribute (area-level learning outcomes) as well as at least one of the GE Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). If the course aligns with one GE and a LVE attribute (e.g., Social Science & LVE 100), ensure that it meets the learning outcomes for each selected attribute.
Provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their ability to meet the learning outcomes through relevant assessments (e.g., assignments, exams, projects).
STEP 2: Submit
Submit your GE course proposal (including a GE application form and syllabus of the course) to your department or program for approval. If your course is cross-listed in multiple departments, ensure that you obtain approval from each relevant department.
Once departmental approval is secured, submit the GE Certification Application Form. Proposals must be submitted by either September 15th or January 15th to ensure inclusion in the GE course inventory for the following semester.
STEP 3: Review
The GE Director will distribute the GE course proposals to the GE Area Advisory Panel as well as to GE committee members ahead of the October or November and February or March certification meetings.
The GE Area Advisory Panel and the GE committee members shall be allotted one month to review submitted applications. Each member of the Advisory Panel is asked to provide a written assessment, either in support of or in opposition to the proposal, which must be submitted to the GE Director. The GE Director will then compile all assessments alongside the proposals to the GE Committee for further evaluation. Should one or more members of the GE Area Advisory Panel fail to submit their written assessments within the designated one-month period, the GE Committee will proceed with the materials available and move forward with deliberations and voting.
STEP 4: Decision and Notification
The GE Committee will review the proposals along with any feedback from the GE Area Advisory Panel during the October or November and February or March GE Committee meetings.
After the GE Committee assesses your course proposal, it will recommend one of the following actions:
- Approval
- Conditional approval (requiring minor changes)
- Revision and resubmission
The GE Committee’s decision shall be determined by at least a two-thirds majority vote of eligible, elected faculty members present. In cases where there is strong contention, the Committee will recommend that the proposal be revised and resubmitted for further consideration.
The GE Committee Chair will document the committee’s decisions and list approved GE courses in the New GE Course Approval Report, which will be submitted to the Faculty Assembly, Registrar, and other relevant university offices.
If your course proposal is approved, no further action is required. You will receive a signed GE Course Approval Form from the GE Committee Chair for your records.
If conditional approval is recommended, the GE Committee Chair will email you with information regarding the necessary minor changes.
If revision and resubmission are required, the GE Committee Chair will provide additional guidance, including details about the next submission deadline.
The GE Committee’s decision is final. However, courses that are not approved for GE designation may be revised and resubmitted for future consideration.