Master Course Data Form

To Propose a New Course

Complete all items on the Master Course Data Form (MCDF) to propose a new course and attach a course description and syllabus, including the elements listed below. Check with your dean’s office to see if your school has a syllabus template that is to be followed.

Course Description

The course description should provide a concise overview of the course content and main learning objectives. It will be entered into Banner and appear in  the online University Bulletin. The description may not exceed 45 words.

Course Syllabus

The syllabus for all proposed courses MUST include the following:

• Learning outcomes (see www.gwu.edu/~assess).
• Assessment procedures and how final grades are determined.
• Attendance policy and a clear statement on any contribution attendance and participation plays in determining final grade
• Required and recommended readings.
• A statement on academic integrity (see www.gwu.edu/~ntegrity/code). The Law School and School of Medicine and Health Sciences have separate academic integrity codes.
• A statement regarding accommodations for student with disabilities.

Course Attributes

Attributes, also known as course codes, are used to identify courses that will satisfy program (e.g., general curriculum, major, minor, concentration)  requirements. During registration, students can easily identify applicable courses by conducting an attribute search. Assigning attributes to courses will  facilitate tracking of degree requirements by both students and advisors. For more detailed information or questions regarding assigning attributes to new courses, please contact the Registrars Office or visit their website at regwebgwu [dot] edu.

To Reinstate a Course

Requests to reinstate a course should follow the same procedure as those to propose a new course as indicated above.

Special Topics Courses

Two types of special topics courses exist within the University. The first type is used to offer an ever-changing menu of courses that address current developments or special-interest topics in an aspect of the larger subject taught by the department or school; Topics in Value Theory in the Philosophy Department is an example.

Another use of the first type is to offer specialty courses taught by visiting faculty. It is not expected that new, permanent additions to the curriculum will result. The second type is used for courses that are offered on an experimental basis with the intent of making them a permanent part of the curriculum if they succeed. Another use of the second type is to offer the initial specialty courses of incoming new regular faculty. In such cases, it is generally expected that the process of establishing an experimental course as a regular course should begin after the special topics course has been taught twice. The topics course may be taught a third time if approval is pending. This policy pertains to courses of three or more credits.

To Change an Existing Course

If you propose changing a course, indicate its designation, number and title and the effective date of the change. Then check off and indicate only those items that are to be changed (e.g., course number, number of credits, grading method, course type/classroom requirements, prerequisites, cross-listing, etc.) If the number of credits is to increase, include a revised syllabus. For changes that require additional resources, outline the source of funding.

Routing Submissions

After program/department review, submit the appropriate MPDF and/or MCDF and all attachments to the dean’s office for school review, retaining a copy for your records. If the proposal is approved, the form and attachments are forwarded to the Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Assessment, with a copy retained in the dean’s office. If necessary, the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment will contact the program/department initiating the forms with any questions. 

Copies of approved MPDFs are distributed to:

• Program director/department chair
• Dean
• Registrar
• Academic Editor
• Scheduling Office
• Institutional Research and Planning (for new programs and changes to the area of study or type of program)
• Student Accounts
• Student Financial Assistance
• Undergraduate Admissions (for undergraduate programs and freshman admit dual programs)
• Graduate Student Enrollment Management (for dual/joint and graduate programs)

Copies of approved MCDFs are distributed to:

• Program director/department chair
• Dean
• Registrar
• Academic Editor
• Scheduling Office
• Student Accounts (if course fees are being established or changed)

Upon receipt of approved MPDFs and MCDFs, the Registrar’s Office creates or changes program and course coding in BANNER and distributes the new or revised coding to the distribution lists noted above. Each office is responsible for producing and distributing copies of MPDFs, MCDFs and coding information to the appropriate staff.

Revised 1/2013