Instructions

  1. Before submitting an EPC proposal, please consult with your Academic Associate Dean and please carefully consult the Academic Approval timelines on the Academic Approvals page.  Please also consult the school-specific approval guidelines for your school.
  2. All forms are available on the EPC website in word, fillable PDF and docusign versions.  Through Spring 2025, we will accept any of these versions for EPC submissions.  Effective Spring 2025, we will only accept docusign forms for EPC submission. 
  3. It is highly recommended that you gather all documentation and complete all responses in the word document of any EPC form before opening the docusign version. This will allow you to simply cut and paste response into the docusign.  Trying to enter all information directly into the docusign form without first gathering documentation and preparing responses may cause you to have to void the form and start again.
  4. Initiate all new proposals, program modifications, or other approvals through the EPC Forms page.  Docusign forms will automatically route through departmental and college or school approval chains before routing to EPC.  Word or PDF versions of the forms will need to be emailed to the appropriate approvers. Effective Fall 2024, the EPC no longer accepts the old “long” and “short” proposal forms.

 

  • Please fill out all forms completely, including attachments, where necessary.  If proposing a new program, please make sure to attach a Market Analysis using the Market Analysis template, or answer the questions from the template directly in the form.

  • Review the instructions on the relevant form as well as EPC Meeting Schedule, the downloadable approval timelines and the EPC Timetable to ensure that your proposal timeline aligns with the requirements set by the Provost’s Office. Substantive curricular changes cannot occur in the middle of an academic year.

  • Discuss assessment-specific questions with the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness before proposal submission to avoid revision delays. Direct assessment-related questions to assessment@smu.edu.

  • Obtain approval for your curricular change through the appropriate School or College vetting process (see the School-Specific Procedures). Note: signatures on the Short and Long forms are required before the final proposal is submitted to the Associate Provost for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness for review.

  • Discuss assessment-specific questions with the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness before proposal submission to avoid revision delays. Direct assessment-related questions to assessment@smu.edu.

 

  • Obtain approval for your online programs, certificates, courses, and sections, if applicable, via the online approval process through SMU GO before submitting your proposal to the Associate Provost for Institutional Planning and Effectiveness for review. You will be required to attach proof of approval through the online vetting process for any programs that will be delivered online.  Note: direct inquiries regarding this approval process to Associate Provost for Continuing Education ad interim Michael Robertson at robertsonm@smu.edu.

  • Direct questions regarding your proposal to smuepc@smu.edu.

  • Submit finalized or revised proposals, electronically, to smuepc@smu.edu for inclusion on the EPC Agenda by the proposal deadline(s). Failure to do so may result in delays in your proposal being reviewed.

School Specific Instructions

     Perkins School of Theology

  • Before initiating any academic approval, please consult with Andy Keck at akeck@smu.edu

     Dedman College

  • Please consult the Dedman College Academic Approvals page.  Please note that Dedman College requires that forms be submitted in Word of Fillable PDF format for college-level approvals.  For any questions, please contact Associate Dean Tom Carr at tcarr@smu.edu.