Educational Policies Procedures

Educational Policies and Forms

EPC is charged with overseeing changes to individual courses, minors, majors, and any other matters related to educational policies at the University of Lynchburg. The forms below allow for the submission of  new items or proposed changes to items. Materials are due to EPC one week before the next EPC meeting. For more information, please consult the faculty handbook, Section 4.1.3.

Changes to existing courses: any changes to existing courses, including changes in the catalogue description, prerequisites, department prefix, course number, or course title, should use the “Changes to an existing course” form.

Changes to general education requirements: any changes to courses in the general education curriculum need to be sent to the chair of GEOC, not to EPC. GEOC will forward to EPC after committee approval.

To create a new major or minor: applicants must submit a rationale and the course catalogue text to the school dean where the new major or minor would be housed. The dean will forward this to EPC after school and Strategic Budget Group (SBG) approval, if necessary. Some of the items the SBG will consider are: 1)demand and interest analysis, looking at the major from a variety of sources; 2) specific evidence of student interest, including projected enrollments in years 1-5; 3) ability to attract new undergraduate students to the College; 4) market survey; 5) external competitor analysis – comparable degree programs at peer institutions and success in job placement; 6) internal competitor analysis – similar undergraduate programs we offer that can lead to same career path; 7) employment opportunities, including specific job openings for which the degree program applies; 8) Department of Labor demand for persons with degree in area, with a particular focus on jobs in Virginia; 9) results/impact for the department structure, including budgetary needs (equipment needs, special space requirements, and library resources needed); 10) results/impact for faculty workload assignments (including need for new faculty); and 11) assessment of internal capacity for new program.

To delete an existing major or minor: applicants must submit a rationale and the course catalogue text to the school dean where the major or minor is housed. The dean will forward this to EPC after school approval.

Special topics courses: Whenever a program proposes a special topics course, the “Special Topics Course Form” must be submitted.  It should be approved by the department and college or school dean.  Once approved and the form is completed, materials are submitted to EPC for approval.  A special topics course can only be taught twice.  Beyond two offerings, a NEW COURSE FORM should be completed and submitted to EPC for approval.