Section 3: Comprehensive Standards
3.6.1 The institution's post-baccalaureate professional degree programs, and its master's and doctoral degree programs, are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs.
Judgment of Compliance:
Compliance
Narrative/Justification for Judgment of Compliance:
Christopher Newport University is in compliance with this comprehensive standard. The course proposal form for a graduate course underscores the idea that the graduate curriculum is more complex and rigorous than the undergraduate. The form requires explicit differentiation of the proposed course from any similar undergraduate course. In cross-listed courses, syllabi stipulate different requirements of the students on the two different levels. All courses must have the approval of graduate faculty in the department or program, the program coordinator, the Graduate Curriculum and Planning Committee, the Graduate Faculty Council, and the Provost.
Each graduate program has academic prerequisites. Students admitted without such prerequisites must complete them before enrolling in any course that requires them. The goals of each program are listed in the Graduate Catalog. The student learning goals are listed on individual syllabi. The Graduate Assessment and Program Review Committee review each graduate program every three years—including the goals of the program, the quality of the program (curriculum, faculty, and students), support of the university's mission and goals, demand for the program, and program resources. Programs are expected to document the means used to assure graduate level standards, including assessment data used to improve the academic level of the program.
Likewise, the independent study authorization form ensures graduate level quality by requiring statements of goals, prerequisites, stages, deadlines, and grading procedures. Both student and instructor must sign, with copies on file in the Office of the Registrar and in the Office of Graduate Studies. An undergraduate wishing to take a graduate level course must have senior standing, the appropriate prerequisites, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and permission of the instructor.
Support Documentation:
Graduate Catalog 06-07
Graduate Assessment and Program Review Committee Statement of Criteria and Policy
Syllabi Examples for Cross-listed Courses:
ENVS 530
BIOL 430
HIST 495-595
MUSC 430-530
Syllabi Examples for Student Learning Goals:
ENGL 532
ENVS 505
GOVT 692
PSYC 535
SOCL 501
SPAN 563
TCHG 516
Forms:
New Course Proposal: Graduate Curriculum
Undergraduate Request to take Graduate-level Course
Graduate Studies Independent Study Authorization Form
Request to Take Graduate Course Elsewhere
New Topics Course Proposal
Additional Live Web Resources:
None