Lansing Community College
Procedure Details

Procedure Title: New Courses and Programs of Study Approval
Procedure #: CC.001
Revision #: 006

Unit Responsible: Curriculum Committee
Individual Responsible: Chair, Curriculum Committee

Effective Date: 11/08/2024
Initial Approval Date: 08/22/2019
Last Review/Update Date: 11/08/2024
Next Review Date: 11/01/2027

*Does this procedure support a Board Policy? Yes
If yes, identify: 3.050-Approval of New Courses and Programs

Board policies can be found at: LCC Board of Trustees Policy Page

*Does this procedure support HLC criteria and/or Assumed Practices? Yes
If yes, identify: 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B

HLC Criteria can be found at: HLC Accreditation Criteria
HLC Assumed Practices can be found at: HLC Assumed Practices

*Does this procedure support a State or Federal Regulation? No
If yes, identify: N/A

*Note: Standard Operating Procedures should be in furtherance of some LCC policy and/or accreditation criteria, even if the relationship is not direct. Assistance in determining this information can be obtained from the Academic Procedure Advisory Committee (APAC) and/or the Accreditation Liaison Officer.

New Courses and Programs of Study Approval, BP 3.050

1. Purpose

To standardize the review of new courses and programs of study by the Curriculum Committee (CC) in order to ensure consistency across the various divisions of the College.


2. Scope

Applies to all new credit-bearing courses and new programs of study proposed by the faculty of Lansing Community College (LCC).


3. Prerequisites

  • Faculty proposing new courses and/or new programs of study must follow their divisional processes, leading to approval by their Dean. This includes completing the proper CC forms for submission of new courses and/or program of study, ensuring that the Provost’s Cabinet has approved the proposal(s), and also ensuring that the Higher Learning Commission approves of any new programs of study.
  • The proposed new program of study also must have completed a review by the Market Analyst from Center for Data Science before being reviewed by the Provost Cabinet.


4. Responsibilities

  • Chair of the CC – Responsible for overseeing each stage of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). 
  • Members of the CC and the TRT – Responsible for conducting due diligence with regard to reviewing courses and/or curricula.
  • Academic Affairs Project Coordinator (AAPC) – Responsible for processing the 5-star ticket and necessary CC procedures.


5. Procedure

  1. The divisional Course Information Management Team (CIMT) representative and/or designee, on behalf of the divisional Dean, will complete the 5-star ticket request form:
    1. New Course Proposal
    2. New Program of Study Proposal

New Course Proposal:

  1. The AAPC receives a 5-star ticket with a revised course proposal from the divisional Dean or designee. 
  2. When form is submitted,
    1. Complete: the arrival date is recorded, and the AAPC forwards to the Director of Assessment and TRT for review and approval.
    2. Updates needed: the form is returned to divisional CIMT representative and/or designee for further completion.
  3. The proposal is forwarded to the Director of Assessment and TRT for review within 5 business days. If questions or concerns are raised, or supporting evidence is requested, the request(s) will be referred to the appropriate divisional designee(s).    
  4. The CC Chair or designee forwards TRT Report to the full CC, divisional CIMT representative and/or designee, and designated faculty to review and discuss.
  5. AAPC puts the proposal on the next CC meeting agenda.
  6. The full CC reviews the proposal.
  7. If the proposal is approved, the AAPC forwards the proposal to the Academic Senate President for senate review.
  8. If the proposal is approved by Academic Senate, the AAPC forwards the proposal to the Provost for review.
  9. If the proposal is approved by Provost,
    1. AAPC forwards a decision letter to the Dean, CIMT representative and/or designee, and designated faculty on proposal.
    2. A copy of decision letter and approved proposal is maintained on the O: drive workspace.
  10. AAPC will mark the 5-star ticket resolved and close.

New Program of Study Proposal:

  1. The AAPC receives a 5-star ticket with a revised course proposal from the divisional Dean or designee. 
  2. When form is submitted,
    1. Complete: the arrival date is recorded, and the AAPC forwards to the Director of Assessment and the TRT for review and approval and to the Degree Works Administrator for review.
    2. Updates needed: the form is returned to divisional CIMT representative and/or designee, and designated faculty for further completion.
  3. The proposal is forwarded to the Director of Assessment and TRT for review within 5 business days. If questions or concerns are raised, or supporting evidence is requested, the request(s) will be referred to the appropriate divisional designee(s). 
  4. The CC Chair or designee forwards TRT Report to the full CC, divisional CIMT representative, designated faculty, and/or designee to review and discuss.
  5. AAPC puts the proposal on the next CC meeting agenda..
  6. The full CC reviews the proposal.
  7. If the proposal is approved, the AAPC forwards the proposal to the Academic Senate President for senate review.
  8. If the proposal is approved by Academic Senate, the AAPC forwards the proposal to the Provost for review.
  9. If the proposal is approved by Provost,
    1. AAPC forwards a decision letter to the Dean, CIMT representative and designee, and designated faculty on proposal.
    2. A copy of decision letter and approved proposal is stored on the O: drive workspace.
  10. AAPC will mark the 5-star ticket resolved and close.
  11. The Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) and Senior Director of Financial Aid & Title IV Compliance are advised of new program of study.


6. Reference

Curriculum Committee Charter - The Curriculum Committee (CC) was officially chartered by the Academic Senate on March 2, 2018. This formalized the transition from the old Curriculum & Instruction Council to the current CC.

Worksheets (forms tab):


7. Definitions

  • ALO: Accreditation Liaison Officer – The individual identified by LCC to serve as a contact point with the Higher Learning Commission, in addition to the College’s President. The ALO is expected to be aware of HLC requirements and to guide the College’s efforts in relation to compliance.
  • CC: Curriculum Committee – a Standing Committee of the Academic Senate charged with providing “leadership and support related to academic courses and curricula to ensure that academic standards are maintained” and led by faculty. 
  • CIMT: Course Information Management Team – a collegewide committee charged with managing data, information, and processes to coordinate and implement aspects of academic course scheduling and instruction. Academic Coordinators may serve as designees. 
  • TRT: Technical Review Team – subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee that pre-reviews proposals for technical issues and consistency.