Curriculum Review Criteria
Starting with the comprehensive program review cycle in 2018-2019, the College has implemented a regular and systematic process of curriculum review to ensure the quality and integrity of all active courses and programs in accordance with five essential criteria established by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office:
- Appropriateness to Mission
- Need
- Curriculum Standards
- Adequate Resources
- Compliance
These criteria are based on “statute, regulation, intersegmental agreements, guidelines provided by transfer institutions and industry, recommendations of accrediting institutions, and the standards of good practice established in the field of curriculum design” (Program & Course Approval Handbook, 8th Edition, p. 24).
Curriculum Review Requirement
Various statutes, regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines, at both the state and local levels, mandate periodic review of curriculum in the California Community Colleges. For more details, see Requirement for Periodic Curriculum Review.
| Authority | Requirement | Period |
| CA EDC § 78016(a) | Every vocational or occupational training program offered by a community college district shall be reviewed every two years. | 2 years (CE) |
| Title 5 CCR § 55003(b)(4) | . . . at least once each six years all prerequisites and corequisites established by the district shall be reviewed, except that prerequisites and corequisites for vocational courses or programs shall be reviewed every two years. | 6 years (non-CE) 2 years (CE) |
| ACCJC Accreditation Standard II.A.16 | The institution regularly evaluates and improves the quality and currency of all instructional programs offered in the name of the institution, including collegiate, pre-collegiate, career-technical, and continuing and community education courses and programs, regardless of delivery mode or location. | 6 years |
| UC Articulation & Transferability Policy | Outlines should be current (not more than five years old). | 5 years (transferable) |
| PCCD BP/AP 4020 | The programs and curricula of the District shall be of high quality, relevant to the multicultural East Bay community and student needs, reflective of the District’s and Colleges’ Mission, Vision and Values, and evaluated regularly through Program Review and Annual Unit Plan updates to ensure quality and currency. All programs, curriculum, and courses are reviewed on a three-year cycle through Program Review. |
3 years |
Curriculum Review Cycle
Based on the requirements outlined above, the Curriculum Committee has determined that:
- Non-CE curriculum should be reviewed in a three-year process aligned to the comprehensive program review cycle; and
- CE curriculum should be reviewed in a two-year process in conjunction with the program review/annual program update cycle.
Non-CE Courses & Programs
CE Courses & Programs
Curriculum Review Resources
- Procedure with Step-by-Step Instructions
- Course Checklist
- ADT Program Checklist
- CE Program Checklist
- Interdisciplinary Program Checklist
- Non-CE Program Checklist