Re-Examining Old Forms

During the implementation of CIM for Programs, the online system for curricular approval at NC State University, the first step was to examine the existing forms used by the campus. These forms included Format A (also known as the 8 Semester Display) and the Format B (also known as the Degree Requirements or ADA). These forms came together to describe how the requirements towards minors, certificates, honors programs, and degrees were grouped and how (in the case of degrees) they could be organized into a coherent plan towards graduation.

While a major part of implementation meant taking advantage of user familiarity – and the team tried to make sure that the crosswalk between paper and electronic form made sense – the shift in the medium also allows an exciting opportunity to examine and clarify form fields that were previously unclear or hidden among other fields.

Thus began the discussion at the Universtiy Courses and Curricula Committee (UCCC) about the Total Hours in Field of Study, Total Hours for College Requirements, Total Hours Required by GEP, and Critical Path fields in CIM for Programs. The first three fields came from the original Format B, which themselves came from a statement in the UNC System Office’s Request to Establish form for the creation of a new degree program. The Critical Path field lived both in Format B as well as in Format A depending on the program.

Since the source of these fields is general, it’s up to NC State to define how they use these fields internally with an eye towards clarity and consistency for students and faculty alike.

What exactly defines a Critical Path course? Who uses these indicators of student success in a program and how are they used? When and how are they updated and how are they communicated to students?

As UCCC continues its discussion, expect to see clearer help bubbles in the CIM for Programs form and more.