4.23 COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM, MAJORS, CONCENTRATIONS, AND MINORS
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To provide guidance regarding new course numbering and required approval of majors, concentrations, or minors.
Scope: This policy applies to all University faculty campus wide.
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs; Registrar’s Office
Policy Statement:
COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM
When developing a new course, the following course numbering system shall be used.
000-099 No credit courses
100-299 Lower division, undergraduate. Designed as freshman and sophomore courses.
300-499 Upper division, undergraduate. Designed as junior and senior courses.
500-699 Upper division, undergraduate. Primarily for juniors and seniors, with enrollment of less than fifty percent (50%) Graduate I students.
700-799 Graduate and Upper division. For masters students primarily, with enrollment of less than fifty percent (50%) undergraduate students.
800-899 Designed primarily for Graduate I students.
900-999 Designed primarily for Graduate II students.
Grad. I = Courses and thesis for masters students, who will ordinarily have accumulated from 1 to thirty (30) graduate hours, and students enrolled in professional schools (Law, Veterinary Medicine, M.D., Architecture, etc.).
Grad. II = Courses for specialists and doctoral students, who will ordinarily have completed greater than thirty (30) hours of graduate work.
The first digit course number identifies the level. Dual listing of courses may be permitted on a limited basis with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.
MAJORS
New majors require both University and Board of Regents’ approval.
CONCENTRATIONS OR MINORS
Concentrations or minors may not exceed twenty-four (24) credit hours at the baccalaureate level; twelve (12) credit hours at the masters level; eighteen (18) credit hours at the doctoral level.
Graduate certificate programs are not considered concentrations or minors and are determined at the University level without Board of Regents’ approval.
New concentrations or minors in disciplines with a major require University approval only. New concentrations or minors in disciplines without a major requires both campus and Board of Regents approval.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.
[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: [coming soon]