Curriculum Changes
Departments are encouraged to undergo regular curriculum review. This review should facilitate the introduction, update and retirement of programs and courses, as deemed necessary.
The Dean’s office is here to help you every step of the way. Please see the typical process workflows for each type of program or course change below. Reach out to Kim Crosta at kimrich@bu.edu for further guidance and discussion.
We look forward to working with you!
Creating or Changing a Program
For Departments that would like to engage in revisions to existing programs, changes in program modality, or proposals for new program. Your proposal will follow the process steps outlined below.
Dean’s Consult
An initial consultation is required to ensure the proposal appropriately reflects and is in line with the strategic direction of the college. You will receive guidance on the appropriate procedure for the request, including any necessary documentation and estimated timeline: Request a meeting.
Department Review & Approval
- Proposals must be approved by the Department Chair/Head as well as the faculty in the department. The Department should also examine what impact the changes will have on other programs within the Department or college and how they will address these issues.
- New programs and program revisions that include courses from other departments must also obtain faculty approval from the department that hosts the course, even if the home department previously approved the inclusion of the course in the last version of the curriculum.
- Any new courses that will be created with the proposal require approval as well. A syllabus and APC New Course Proposal Template must be provided for each new course.
- Courses that are being renumbered require an updated syllabus
Academic Policy Committee (APC) Review & Approval
Submit your proposal at least one week in advance of the next scheduled APC meeting. You must submit required eCAP documents, syllabi, and any other supporting documents via the proposal submission form to be scheduled for a proposal defense.
Dean’s Review & Approval
The Dean’s office will work with the faculty lead to ensure all required documentation is complete and polished. Once the documents are finalized, the Dean will review for final approval.
Electronic Curricular Review Process (eCAP) submission
The Dean’s office will submit approved documents through eCAP. The level of approval is based on the extent of the proposal. proposals are typically reviewed by the Office of the Provost, Global Programs (if applicable), the consultative body, the Undergraduate Academic Programs and Policies (UAPP) or the Graduate Academic Programs and Policies (GAPP) committees, and the University Council. After university approval, the Dean’s office works with the Office of the Registrar to finalize any programmatic details.
Launch
The Dean’s office will initiate the launch with the hosting department, marketing, and the admissions team to execute the proposal. Items that will be determined during the launch phase are the timing of the launch of the student application, website & marketing material updates, as well as staff, faculty, and student notifications, etc.
Establishing a New Non-Required Course
Department Review
Faculty submits a new course proposal for review and approval by the Department Chair/Head and faculty.
The proposal should include:
- APC New Course Proposal Form
- Budget proposal for course with special requirements such as international travel, extended laboratory requirements, online material development, etc.
- CV of the faculty developing and teaching the course if the faculty is external to MET
APC Review
The proposal should be submitted to the APC to be scheduled for an upcoming meeting. The Chair of the APC will invite the faculty proposing the course and/or a department representative to present the proposal.
Dean’s Office Review
The Dean or Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs reviews the proposal for final approval and sign-off. The Dean’s office sets up the course for inclusion in the course inventory.
Minor Updates to an Existing Course
Online Course Development & Significant Updates
Faculty who need to develop or update an online course are requested to submit an online proposal form after obtaining Chair/Program Head approval. BU Virtual has limited bandwidth each semester for developments and updates, and your adherence to the submission deadline is imperative for planning.
For each proposal, the Dean’s office will coordinate with BU Virtual to finalize the planned term launch. The final timeline of the course development will be confirmed upon the approval of the proposal. Classes must still be scheduled through the regular scheduling process.
| Proposal Submission Deadline | Target Launch Term |
| Nov 3, 2025 | Summer 2026 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Fall 2026 |
| June 1, 2026 | Spring 2027 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Summer 2027 |
HUB Proposals
BU Hub is Boston University’s innovative general education program for all undergraduate students. MET Undergraduate students follow the Hub Requirements for Transfer Students. Faculty members will work with their Departments to identify or create courses to be added to the BU Hub. Proposals are submitted through Courseleaf, which is the BU Hub General Education Proposal Management System.
Upcoming Deadlines:
November 15, 2024 for AY 2025-2026 (Fall, Fall/Spring and Summer Courses)
For full details regarding the approval process, please visit: the BU HUB Approval Process and Deadlines page.
Proposal Workflow Quick Chart
“Program” – includes degrees, majors, minors, unit-bearing and non-unit-bearing certificates.