Core Course Proposals
Courses proposed for inclusion in the UT Austin Core Curriculum are reviewed to ensure they meet university, state, and UT System requirements. This includes the applicable Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Foundational Component Area and Core Objectives, as well as UT Austin Student Competencies.
Core Course Review Requirements
Core courses are also reviewed within the broader requirements established for the Texas Core Curriculum.
Under 19 Texas Administrative Code §4.28, Core Curriculum courses must:
1. be foundational and fundamental to a sound postsecondary education;
2. be necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life;
3. equip students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society; and
4. ensure a breadth of knowledge in compliance with applicable accreditation standards.
In addition, 19 Texas Administrative Code §4.30 requires consideration of potential costs to students, including additional tuition, fees, and time required to complete an undergraduate degree.
Faculty should keep these requirements in mind when developing a Core course proposal. The proposal and supporting materials should provide enough information for reviewers to understand how the course meets the applicable requirements and contributes to the Core Curriculum.
Related Resources:
Texas Core Curriculum Requirements (19 TAC §§4.28 and 4.30)
View Texas Core Curriculum Requirements
Texas Core Objectives
Before You Begin
Before beginning a proposal, review the Core Course Review Requirements above, as well as the applicable Student Competencies and Core Objectives and Sample Proposal Responses for the Foundational Component Area in which the course is being proposed.
Faculty should be prepared to demonstrate how the course addresses the Core Course Review Requirements and how the course content, learning activities, assignments, and student work address the applicable Core Objectives and Student Competencies. Providing specific examples in the proposal helps reviewers understand how these requirements are incorporated into the course.
What You Will Need
When preparing a Core course proposal, you will need to provide information about the course and supporting documentation, including:
1. Course number and title;
2. Course description and learning outcomes;
3. Current or proposed syllabus;
4. Representative readings or texts;
5. Topics and content covered in the course;
6. Assignments, activities, and examples of student work that address the applicable Core Objectives and Student Competencies;
7. Information needed to demonstrate how the course addresses the Core Course Review Requirements above.
Review and Approval
Core course proposals should be submitted through the appropriate college or school’s dean’s office and must receive approval at that level before moving forward in the university review process.
Curriculum and Academic Administration (CAA) coordinates the institutional review of Core course proposals and subsequent approval processes, as applicable.
During the review, CAA may contact the submitting college, school, department, or faculty member if additional information or clarification is needed. When revisions are requested, CAA will work with the submitting unit to identify what is needed to move the proposal forward.
Faculty and academic units are encouraged to submit proposals early enough to allow time for review and any necessary revisions.
Ready to Submit?
Once your proposal materials are complete and your course has received the appropriate college or school approval, you are ready to submit your Core course proposal through the UT Austin Core Curriculum Proposal Portal.
Questions?
Please contact the Core Curriculum team at core.proposals@austin.utexas.edu