Table of Contents
Purpose of the Guide
The information contained herein is a guide for individuals and departments initiating new graduate programs/majors or proposing alterations to programs already in existence at Montclair State University. Should you need information about undergraduate curriculum procedures, please see the Undergraduate Curriculum Guide.
All curricular proposals are submitted for review at several levels so that the scope, breadth, and depth of the changes can be examined from various important perspectives. Please note: The forms required and signatures for approval (routing forms) differ according to the nature and extent of curricular proposals. The process can be fraught with unnecessary delays when documentation is inaccurate or incomplete, when required forms and/or signatures are missing, or when submission timelines are not followed. Please carefully review any or all of the instructions affecting a particular action.
This website is intended to be an instructive and useful tool which will be continually revised as the University’s curricular procedures evolve. Please consult the site frequently as new updates will be made to reflect the most current policies in effect.
The information below describes the policies and procedures related to establishing, revising, and discontinuing graduate courses and programs, and information about the internal and external review processes.
Key Dates for New Program Submissions
All new degree program submissions require an extensive off-campus approval process. Because of this, proposers are strongly encouraged to have preliminary conversations with their respective Dean and submit the New Degree Program Concept Approval Form as soon as possible.
While new program approvals have more flexibility than program alterations in terms of approval dates, proposers are encouraged to have their new graduate program approved no later than the November 13th Graduate Council Meeting to potentially be in effect for the following academic year. NOTE: Receipt of proposals by this date does not guarantee that a NEW degree program will be in effect by the following academic year. Therefore, earlier submissions are strongly encouraged.
The New Degree Program Review and Approval Calendar for AY 2019-2020 (Graduate) provides an overview of the Timeline for New Program Approvals from submission to The Graduate School for curricular review through the State approval process.
Curricular Action Forms
Forms for Courses
To submit a new course or course alteration, please visit Montclair State University’s Course Submissions / Course Actions Database.
Helpful Guides for Submitting New Courses or Course Alterations
View the Course Approval Effective Schedule.
Forms for Programs
- New Programs
- Proposal for a New Graduate Degree Program Form
- Proposal for a New Graduate Certificate Program Form
- Proposal for a New Graduate Concentration Within an Existing Degree Program Form
- Proposal for a New Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s (BX/MX) Degree Program Form
- Program Alterations
- Proposal for Alteration to a Graduate Degree Program Form
- Proposal for Alteration to a Graduate Certificate Program Form
- Proposal for Alteration to a Concentration Within a Graduate Degree Program Form
- Proposal for Alteration to a Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s (BX/MX) Degree Program Form
- Program Termination
- Program Termination Form
- Graduate Curriculum Resources
- Budget Worksheet for New Programs
- The Graduate Policy Manual
- NJ President’s Council Academic Issues Committee (AIC) Manual
- Sample Assessment Plans
- External Consultant Guidelines and Criteria (Required of all new degree programs)
Tips for Successful Program Proposals
- Plan ahead and be aware of key submission dates
- Proofread
- Define all acronyms
- Be mindful that reviewers from outside the program’s discipline will read the proposal
- Follow the guidelines and examples for developing an Assessment Plan
- Secure all necessary signatures, especially for those courses that are considered collateral
Contact Us
General questions regarding the curriculum development and review process can be directed to the appropriate associate dean in each college/school. Specific inquiries can be addressed to:
- Nelly Lejter, Associate Dean, The Graduate School
- Internal review process, trends in graduate education, proposal development
- Joanne Cote-Bonanno, Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Assessment, Academic Affairs
- External review process, accreditation, certification
- Wanda Diaz, Assistant Provost for Administration, Finance and Facilities, Academic Affairs
- Barbara Ritola, Associate Director, Curriculum and Accreditation
- External review process, Academic Issues Committee, NJ Presidents’ Council
- Irina Koroleva, Assistant Director of Assessment, Academic Affairs
- Assessment plans
- TBD, Director of Administration
- Budget worksheet