From the President
Posted: Thursday, October 10, 2019Response to College Senate Recommendation: Amendment to DOPS Policy on Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit - Addition of Upper-Division Option for Graduate-Level Topics Courses
At its April 12, 2019, meeting, the College Senate voted in favor of a resolution to revise the DOPS Policy on Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit to include the addition of an upper-division option for graduate-level topics courses.
ACTUAL DOPS POLICY LANGUAGE
Topics Courses (587 and 687 – Graduate)
The topics format provides the opportunity for in-depth study and examination of rapidly and significantly changing disciplinary issues, topics, or practices, and may be used to accommodate requests of external agencies or the specialized resources of visiting faculty members. Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program.
Motion to amend DOPS regarding Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit (Topics Courses) at Buffalo State.
Introduced at the March 8, 2019, College Senate meeting and presented for vote at the April 12, 2019, College Senate meeting.
WHEREAS, the current policy in DOPS reflects only topics courses for undergraduate level; and,
WHEREAS, the College Senate updated the current policy in April 2018 that outlined procedures for undergraduate- and graduate-level Course for Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit; and
WHEREAS, the College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review topics courses; and
WHEREAS, the topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal; and
WHEREAS, no topics course may be offered more than twice in a two-year period; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no course number in place for upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no policy in place for upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State adopt changes to DOPS that reflect the addition of upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses, as detailed below.
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: I:04:01
SUBJECT: Proposal for Addition of Upper-Division Option for Graduate-Level Topics Courses
In order to facilitate upper-division graduate-level, credit-bearing topics courses, special provision must be made to assure adequate planning and approval.
COURSE DESIGNATION: (Prefix will indicate department)
Topics (687 – Graduate)
Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program. Application forms are available in the academic department and the Registrar’s Office, and must be filed with that office by the deadline date published in the class schedule each semester.
Title Variable: Yes
Repeatable: Limit 2 times
Credits: Variable 1-3
Course Description: Special Topics Course (Graduate level)
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
- The College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review special topics courses.
- Topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal. See College Senate Curriculum Handbook Course Proposal Submission Policy of 2011.
- Three copies of topics course proposals are sent to Academic Affairs for approval. Each topics course approved by Academic Affairs may be offered no more than twice in a two-year period. Thereafter, it must be submitted as a new course proposal.
- Dean forwards the Topic Course Approval form to Academic Affairs
Policy Number: (attachment)
Three copies of this form must be submitted to the Dean’s Office at least two weeks in advance of proposed instructional dates.
FORM FOR 189/ 389/ 587/ 687: TOPIC COURSE APPROVAL ROUTING CHECKLIST
DEPARTMENTAL ACTION
Course Number:
Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
(No more than 70 characters)
Abbreviation to be used in Master Schedule: _________________________________________
(No more than 15 characters)
Course Offering Schedule: This course will be offered: ________________________________
Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.
___________________________________________________________________________
Date Signature of Department Chairperson Department
Three (3) copies forwarded to Dean on _____________________________.
DEAN’S ACTION
Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.
______________________________________________________________________________
Date Signature of Dean Faculty
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ACTION
_______ _________________________________________________________________
Date Signature
I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding the addition of an upper-division option for graduate-level topics courses at Buffalo State. I charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.
