Revisions to Course Requirements, Prerequisites, and Other Program Policies

The following information is intended to guide faculty members who wish to propose changes to course restrictions, prerequisites, or degree program requirements.

1. For changes or enrollment restrictions to courses that are not required for a degree:

   1. Individual faculty members should revise course descriptions to reflect their determination (e.g. “Instructor's consent required,” “Suitable for upper level MDiv and MTS students,” “Auditors with permission,” etc.). Limitations on the numbers of students who may enroll conform to the Provost's policy. For JST, enrollment should not be capped below 10, but may be set higher depending on the course level (introductory, advanced, doctoral), format of instruction (seminar or lecture), and other factors particular to the course.

2. For individual course prerequisites:

   1. If the course is not required, the faculty member may simply state what prior knowledge is required, and/or which courses a student must have taken previously, in the course description (e.g., “Prior introductory course in Christian ethics required”).

   2. If the course is required for a particular degree program, then the instructor should consult with the relevant Program Director to provide supporting documents and explain the rationale for the changes. The Program Director should then submit a proposal identifying the suggested course requirements and/or prerequisites to the Statutes & Curricula Committee for its review and recommendation. Then the normal process is followed to obtain subsequent approval by the Academic Council.

3. For changes to degree requirements, to the sequencing of required courses, or to the courses that are required for the degree:

   1. The Program Director should submit the recommended changes to the Statutes & Curricula Committee, with supporting documents and rationale. Then the normal process is followed through to Academic Council approval.

   2. For recommendations (as opposed to requirements) for how best to sequence required courses, the Program Director can simply add language to the program handbook when it is updated for the next academic year.

4. For policy changes that affect more than one program:

   1. Any Program Director or faculty member may take a recommendation to the Statutes & Curricula Committee with supporting documents and rationale. However, all affected program directors should be consulted before finalizing the proposed changes. Then the normal process is followed through to Academic Council approval.

   2. The Statutes & Curricula Committee will determine the best course of action for soliciting feedback from the faculty as it undertakes its work of recommending academic policies. Some examples are:

      • holding open conversations with the faculty;

      • inviting input from faculty and students;

      • internal discussion and submittal of recommendations to Academic Council directly, with wider discussion at Academic Council.

   3. After the changes are approved by Academic Council, they are published and made known to students and faculty in any or all of these ways:

      • Statements in course descriptions;

      • Statements in degree program handbooks;

      • Statements in JST's Academic Policies & Procedures manual.

   Generally speaking, the Program Director is responsible for ensuring changes are incorporated into the program handbook, while the Dean’s office is responsible for revising the Academic Policies & Procedures manual.