How to Propose an Online Course
- Consult your department chair first to make sure they are aware and agree. Courses must be approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) or Graduate Council before being proposed for online development.
- Review the description of MTSU Course Types and choose a course type to develop.
- Read about the expectations and notifications for course developers.
- Submit a Course Development Proposal Form. (This form is available from August 1 to October 1, and then February 1 to April 1, as seen in the table below).
- The course proposer (the faculty member) initiates this dynamic form.
- Then, the form is automatically routed to your department chair for comment and approval.
- By the date described below (October 30 or April 30), MTSU Online reviews all the course proposals based on the criteria below.
- If MTSU Online approves your course, you will be notified via email, and the form goes to Carol Hayes, the MTSU Online Faculty Services Coordinator, who will send an Online Course Development Agreement Form to the faculty developer.
- This form specifies the developer’s duties and obligations and facilitates developer compensation.
- Compensation will not be paid until all parties have completed and signed the agreement.
- Note that non-standard courses such as internships, practicum, independent studies, etc., are not compensated.
How MTSU Online Reviews and Prioritizes Course Proposals
A course development proposal most likely to be accepted for (re)development is for a course that:
- Is part of a fully online, or soon to be a fully online degree program
- Is in demonstrated high demand by online students
- Is a key elective for students seeking to complete a degree online
- Is significantly outdated relative to the field of study
- Has a strong justification from the proposer and a strong endorsement from the department chair
Due Dates
| Planned Semester of Delivery (Semester NEW Course will be initially taught) | Proposal Window (Proposals are reviewed) Proposal must be submitted via Dynamic Forms by Deadline | Proposal Decisions (Developers will be notified no later than…) | Development Shell Created, Template Added, & Faculty Contacted | Development Period (Work with IDs to complete course development.) | Course Review Period | Course Development must be completed (Agreement must be completed*) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | August 1 – Oct. 1 | October 15 | October 30 | Nov.1 – March 1 | March 1 – April 1 | April 1 |
| Fall | August 1 – Oct. 1 | October 15 | October 30 | Nov. 1 – March 1 | March 1 – April 1 | April 1 |
| Winter | February 1 – April 1 | April 15 | April 30 | May 1 – Oct. 1 | Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 | Nov. 1 |
| Spring | February 1 – April 1 | April 15 | April 30 | May 1 – Oct. 1 | Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 | Nov. 1 |