Ten new programs starting at CCU
By Barbara BucknerAssociate Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
For the past three years faculty at Coastal Carolina University have been busy answering the call of their president. Early in his first year, President Dave DeCenzo asked faculty to assist him in creating new degree programs. The purpose of this initiative was to increase retention and meet the needs of our students. The 2010-2011 catalog will include many of these new programs. The following programs have been added to the list of our majors:
Wall College of Business
B.A. Economics
Spadoni College of Education
M.Ed. Educational Leadership
M.Ed. Learning and Teaching
Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts
B.A. Graphic Design
B.F.A. Musical Theatre
B.F.A. Theatre Arts with three concentrations in Acting, Design and Technology and Physical Theatre
M. A. Writing (pending SACS COC approval)
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
B.S. Information Systems
B.S. Biochemistry
Specializations and tracks have also been developed for the following departments:
Biology (specializations)
Cellular, Molecular Biology and Genetics
Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
Integrative Biology
Sociology (tracks)
Criminology
Health and Aging
Social Justice
Creating a new major is not easy and at times can be very frustrating. There are many steps to complete as well as challenges along the way. The associate provost for assessment and accreditation works with faculty to complete the process.
The first step is to get the idea for the new major approved by the college dean followed by the provost. Next, a three-page program summary is written by the faculty and sent to the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education (SCCHE) to be approved by the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs. This committee is comprised of representatives from state supported institutions.
Once approved, faculty write the program proposal which includes the curriculum, current library holdings and resources, future hiring plan and an explanation of how the new program differs from others already being offered at other state institutions. An important step in this process is to show need for the major.
Faculty work with the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Analysis to conduct two types of needs assessments – one with employers and one with current students.The program proposal must then be approved by the SCCHE and then the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
This is a lengthy process and demonstrates the commitment of the faculty to making Coastal Carolina University the best comprehensive institution in South Carolina. Stay tuned for other new programs that are presently going through the process.
