Course Proposal Types

There are two types of curricular proposals: modifying an existing curricular item or creating a new one. Selecting the correct proposal type is important. Proposals submitted under the wrong category will be denied and must be resubmitted.

Course modifications that are sometimes mistaken for new courses include:

• Making a temporary course permanent
• Changing the subject code of an existing course
• Adding a new cross-listing to an existing course

A new course proposal is appropriate for:

• Creating a new permanent course
• Creating a new temporary course

Program Proposal Types

There are two types of curricular proposals: modifying an existing curricular item or creating a new one. It is important to select the correct proposal type, as proposals submitted under the wrong category will be denied and must be resubmitted.

Program Credential Types

In addition to selecting the appropriate proposal type, each program is classified under one of four credential types: Degree, Major, Certificate, or Minor. The credential type identifies the type of academic program being proposed.

Degree

An academic credential awarded by the University upon successful completion of a prescribed program of study. Degrees include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

In Kuali, select Degree when the program is the only program offered under that degree. Examples include the MPS (Master of Professional Studies), BIS (Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies), Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy), and DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice).

Major

A defined field of study within a degree program consisting of a required set of courses and related academic requirements in a specific discipline.

In Kuali, select Major when the program is one of multiple options offered under the same degree. These typically include BA, BS, MA, MS, and PhD programs.

Certificate

A formal program of study consisting of a defined set of courses in a focused area. Certificates may be completed independently or in conjunction with a degree program.

Minor

A secondary field of study consisting of a prescribed set of courses in a discipline outside a student’s major. A minor is intended to complement a student’s primary area of study.

Specialization Proposal Types

There are two types of curricular proposals: modifying an existing curricular item or creating a new one. It is important to select the correct proposal type, as proposals submitted under the wrong category will be denied and must be resubmitted.

🚨 Understanding Specializations, Sub-Plans, Options, Tracks, Focus Areas, and Concentrations

At URI, these terms refer to different curricular structures. Understanding how they differ is essential to ensure that programs and their areas of study are proposed and documented correctly.

Specializations, Sub-Plans, Options, and Tracks

These represent a formally recognized area of study within a program. They:

• Are coded in eCampus
• Have defined requirements that students must complete
• Appear on the student’s transcript
• Are formally created and maintained through the Specializations section of Kuali

Note: The terminology used may vary by system or University Manual terminology. For curricular proposal purposes, these structures are treated as specializations in Kuali.

Concentrations and Focus Areas

These represent an optional area of study within a program. They:

• Are not coded in eCampus
• May include suggested courses or course sequences to guide students
• Do not appear on the student’s transcript
• Are described within the program description to which they belong
• Do not require a separate curricular proposal

What about ABMs and “4 + 1” Programs?

Both Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) programs and “4 + 1” programs are formally recognized Specializations, but they differ in how they are structured and which degree program they belong to.

ABM Specializations

• Are inherited by the Master’s degree
• Identify a defined pathway from the Bachelor’s degree into the Master’s degree
• Include an identified set of courses that may be double-counted toward both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree requirements

“4 + 1” Specializations

• Are inherited by the Bachelor’s degree
• Do not include courses that are double-counted toward both degrees
• Provide guidance on courses students should take during the final semesters of their undergraduate degree to help shorten the time needed to complete the Master’s degree