WMU Essential Studies
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Propose a WMU Essential Studies Course

Information for faculty on the process of proposing or revising a WMU Essential Studies course.

Course proposal process

Proposing or revising a WMU Essential Studies course begins with connecting your course to the program’s levels, categories and student learning outcomes. Use the guidance below to prepare your course materials, submit your proposal through Curriculum and navigate the review and approval process.

  • Log in to Curriculum (https://wmich.curriculog.com/).
  • Click the “New Proposal” button on the dashboard or left-hand menu.
  • Choose the specific form (Course New, Program Change, etc.). There are multiple WMU Essential Studies options, new and revised for each level. Pick the appropriate one.
  • Fill in the details and save changes frequently.
  • Attach your Master Syllabus, Assessment Plan, and Catalog Description to the proposal.
  • Check that each question has been answered or with an N/A as appropriate.
  • Remember to “Validate and Launch” your proposal. You should see a thumbs-up icon.
  • Check the Curriculog Quick Guide for help.

  • The proposal should move on to your department curriculum committee representative or chair. Monitor your proposal’s progress.
  • At any time, your proposal could be returned to you for revision.
  • If your proposal is returned, please review the comments and make revisions. Once the revisions are complete, you can send the proposal on again by hitting Submit.
  • The typical process of a proposal moving through Curriculum is:
    • Originator (You)
    • Department Curriculum Committee Representative
    • Chair Review
    • College Curriculum Committee
    • Dean Review
    • WMU Essential Studies Curriculum and Approval Committee
    • WMU Essential Studies Director in consultation with the WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee
    • Curriculum Manager Review
    • Registrar
  • Please be aware of due dates:
    • For the following fall semester, the proposal should reach WMU Essential Studies CRAC (Course Review and Approval Committee) by the end of October. For example, a proposal reaching CRAC by October 31 will be implemented (if passing all units) during the next fall semester.
    • Note: All WMU Essential Studies courses enter the catalog in the fall semester only.

FAQs

Have additional questions? Visit the Faculty Senate’s WMU Essential Studies FAQs for guidance on timelines, proposal forms, required materials, course changes and appeals.

You initiate all WMU Essential Studies course proposals in Curriculum; note the annual October 31 deadline for any changes or additions to WMU Essential Studies since they only take effect in fall terms. 

Use the Interactive Model to see the three levels—Foundations, Exploration & Discovery, and Connections—and their categories/outcomes. 

Students must complete one DI and one PS course (typically at Level 2 or 3); the Interactive Model and catalog pages clarify where DI/PS can be embedded. 

Each level/category has required SLOs and optional menus; the Assessment Plan Template spells out how many SLOs to select at each level and links to rubrics.  

The WES Outcome Rubrics page lists all outcomes and rubric codes used in proposals and eLearning assessment.

Use the WMU Essential Studies Assessment Plan Template and follow the instructions for aligning assignments to SLOs.

The Faculty Resources page links to the Help Hub guide and videos for entering WMU Essential Studies rubric data in D2L.

Curriculum houses all new/revised course proposals, including those adding a WMU Essential Studies designation; choose the appropriate proposal form after logging in (the interface provides guided help and FAQs).  

Proposals route through department/college approvals, then WMU Essential Studies /Faculty Senate governance per the curriculum change guidelines noted from Curriculum to Faculty Senate resources. 

You will need to include a sample syllabus and SLO assessment plans to model language, outcomes, and assessment mapping. 

Yes—attach the completed WMU Essential Studies Assessment Plan (template for your level/category) and ensure outcomes are explicitly tied to graded work. Catalog copy also needs to be attached.

WMU Essential Studies changes must meet the Oct. 31 deadline to take effect in the next fall catalog; other course changes have additional timeline notes in Curriculum.

WMU Essential Studies courses participate in cyclic review and ongoing outcomes assessment.