The Daily Bulletin Archive

At its February 8, 2019, meeting, the College Senate voted in favor of a resolution on a new DOPS Policy on Upper-Division Criteria for Graduate-Level Courses, to be implemented as follows:

WHEREAS, there is no current policy for determining and distinguishing graduate-level course criteria; and

WHEREAS, the current policy regarding the development of new courses suggests graduate courses should simply be consulted upon with the dean of the Graduate School; and

WHEREAS, the Graduate School and the Graduate Advisory Committee believe it would be beneficial to establish standards of continuity in establishing graduate-level course naming and sequencing,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State adopt a new DOPS policy on Upper-Division Criteria for Graduate-Level Courses as proposed in this document; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this policy go into effect beginning with the 2019–2020 academic year for all new and revised course proposals submitted to the College Senate Curriculum Committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the college catalog and college website be updated to ensure that DOPS language be consistently reflected in the catalog and on the website for this policy.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: 15:01 (NEW Policy)
Subject: Upper-Division Criteria for Graduate-Level Courses

Guidelines listed below have been established for the designation of upper-division graduate courses. The guidelines should be used when creating new courses and when revising existing courses. The College Senate Curriculum Committee will use the guidelines in the approval process for graduate courses.

A course that has upper-division designation (600 or 700 level) reflects evidence of at least two of the following criteria:

1. Prerequisite course or instructor permission
2. Course content, assessment, and learning outcomes demonstrating evidence of greater focus or depth in the content than 500-level graduate courses
3. Course content, assessment, and learning outcomes targeting a higher order of critical thinking (greater application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of subject) than 500-level graduate courses

Course numbers indicate the level of the course and restrictions as follows:

500–599: Introductory or survey graduate courses (knowledge, understanding, and application of subject)

600–699: Courses that go beyond introductory level and involve in-depth study of a subject at the graduate level and that usually have prerequisites

700–799: Courses designed for and restricted to students matriculated in the departments’ degree or certificate programs

Note: The catalog provides that all master’s degree programs require completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours of 600- or 700-level coursework.

I hereby approve the resolution on the new DOPS Policy on Upper-Division Criteria for Graduate-Level Courses and authorize immediate implementation of the policy. I charge the provost with the responsibility for overseeing and ensuring implementation and communication of the revised policy to all appropriate constituents.