November 5, 2025 – Graduate Curriculum Committee – Minutes

Posted on:

Time: Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams

Meeting was held online only.

Timothy O’Brien, 2025-2026 GCC Chair

Members Present:   Qingsu Cheng, Itziar Lazkano, Maria Novotny, Timothy O’Brien, Wilhem Peekhaus, Katie Vater

Absent:     Sara Vanderhaagen

Guests:     Shelley Lund (College of Health Professions and Sciences); Laleh Jamshidi (Zilber College of Public Health); Nadine Kozak (College of Engagement and Professions); Mallory Kaul (College of Freshwater Sciences); Elisabetta Cova (College of Letters & Science); Alan Barnhart (Lubar College of Business); Linnea Laestadius (Zilber College of Public Health); Joseph Walzer  (College of Letters & Science); Taylor Levandoski (College of Health Professions and Sciences); Jennifer Carrera (School of Nursing); Kim Litwack (College of Health Professions and Sciences / School of Nursing); Kathryn Scholz (College of Letters & Science); Jennifer Doering (School of Nursing); Kerry Korinek (College of Community Engagement and Professions); Prasenjit Guptasarma (College of Engineering & Applied Science); Emily Kuhnen (Registrar’s Office); Nora Miller (College of Health Professions & Sciences); David Clark (Division of Academic Affairs); Sara Benesh (College of Letters & Science); Alessandra Gillen (College of Letters & Science);Tiffany Nation (Graduate Programs Coordinator, Graduate School); Joan Hayes (Program Service Representative, Office of Grad Education); Victoria Moerchen (Ex-Officio, Graduate School); Riley Harrison (Policy and Appeals Coordinator, Graduate School); Bryan Porter (Graduate School Dean)

  1. Call to Order
    12:29 p.m.
  1. Announcements
    There were no announcements
  1. Automatic Consent
    The following automatic consent agenda items which include meeting minutes, course actions, and program changes were approved.
    1. Approval of meeting minutes from October 1, 2025
    2. Course Action Requests (table below) (See accompanying chart in SharePoint)
    3. Program Changes
      1. Management, MS: Professional Accounting (GCC Doc. No. 2458) In Spring 2023 when the program combined the MSPA Taxation Track with the MSPA Assurance Track to create one MSPA program with 3 paths (Assurance, Taxation, and Advisory), the tax electives from the Taxation Track did not get added to the list of electives in the combined MSPA Program in the University Catalog but many are listed as electives in the Taxation Path on the Lubar MSPA site (reference LCB Doc 1611).  All four tax courses have unique relevant content for students seeking to specialize in Taxation; adding these courses to the UWM Catalog will align the two websites accessible to students.  Also, deleting BUS ADM 726 – Strategic Cost Management as it was last offered in Fall 2015 and is no longer in the accounting curriculum.
  1. New Business
    1. New/Substantially Revised Courses (table below)
  2. Program Changes
    1. Proposals Requesting Inactivation of Programs:
      1. French, BA / Translation and Interpreting Studies, MA (GCC Doc. No. 2459)

        In consultation with French (Global Studies), TIS faculty voted to deactivate program in May 2025.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve the inactivation of this program.  Motion passed unanimously.
      2. German, BA / Translation and Interpreting Studies, MA (GCC Doc. No. 2460)

        In consultation with German (AMLLC), TIS faculty voted in May 2025 to deactivate program in May 2025.  There are no current students to teach out of this program.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve the inactivation of this program.  Motion passed unanimously.
      3. Global Studies, BA / Translation and Interpreting, MA (GCC Doc. No. 2461)

        In consultation with Global Studies, TIS faculty voted in May 2025 to deactivate the program.  There are no current students to teach out of this program.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve the inactivation of this program.  Motion passed unanimously.
      4. Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies, BA / Translation and Interpreting Studies, MA (GCC Doc. No. 2462)

        In consultation with LACUSL, TIS faculty voted in May 2025 to deactivate program.  There are no current students to teach out of this program.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve the inactivation of this program.  Motion passed unanimously.
    2. Proposals Requesting Program Changes:
      1. Autism Spectrum Disorders, Graduate Certificate (GCC Doc. No. 2463)

        Removing the EXCEDUC 760/761 prerequisite note as the prerequisite is being removed.  Removing EXCEDUC 671 (as the “or” option for EXCEDUC 601) from electives as it is infrequently offered.  Removing footnote from the fieldwork EXCEDUC 775 course.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      2. Freshwater Sciences, MS: Aquatic Science (Professional) (GCC Doc. No. 2464)

        Replacing FRSHWTR 504 requirement with FRSHWTR 585 based on employer and advisory board feedback.  Stats course is more beneficial than a quantitative analysis course.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      3. Freshwater Sciences, MS: Aquatic Science (Thesis) (GCC Doc. No. 2465

        Updating the curriculum to require FRSHWTR 585G in response to employers and our advisory board recommending that all students should be required to take a statistics course.  Updating the course list to show the graduate-level of each course (ie: 502G instead of 502).  Adding FRSHWTR 512 seminar as alternative credits for research/thesis credits.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      4. Freshwater Sciences, MS: Water Policy (Professional) (GCC Doc. No. 2466)

        Removing FRSHWTR 504G.  The course will no longer be offered.  Updating footnote for FRSHWTR 585G/AMT SCI 500G options.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      5. Freshwater Sciences, MS: Water Policy (Thesis) (GCC Doc. No. 2467)

        Updating the curriculum to require FRSHWTR 585G in response to employers and our advisory board recommending that all students should be required to take a statistics course.  Adding FRSHWTR 512 Seminar as alternative credits for research/thesis credits.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously
      6. Healthcare Administration, MHA (GCC Doc. No. 2468

        The MHA program is increasing the credits of the required internship course (HCA 870: Healthcare Administration Internship Capstone) from 2 to 3 credits to incorporate a capstone project and removing the HCA 871 capstone course requirement.

        The program is renaming the “Executive Online Program” option to the “Accelerated Executive Online Program” to reflect a restructured course enrollment model that allows full-time students to complete the degree in only 1.5 academic years.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      7. Translation, Graduate Certificate (GCC Doc. No. 2469)

        Updating the additional requirements language (transfer credit and 3.0 GPA) to align with language of the graduate certificate in Interpreting.

        Admin Note: Updating elective MALLT 708 to LINGUIS 708 as the MALLT version of the course has been discontinued.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
    3. New Degree, Certificate, or Concentration 
      1. Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS / Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS (GCC Doc. No. 2470)

        The program is designed for high achieving students who want to become speech-language pathologists (SLP).  A master’s degree is required for entry to the profession and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  The accelerated degree program that the program is proposing will allow high achieving students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degree in 5 years resulting in a BS and MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  This program will provide opportunities to attract high achieving high school students to UWM to pursue their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this new accelerated graduate program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      2. Industrial Engineering, BSE / Engineering, MS: Industrial and Systems Engineering (GCC Doc. No. 2471)

        Creating an accelerated graduate program to replace the existing “Integrated BS/MS” program.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this new accelerated graduate program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      3. Mechanical Engineering, BSE / Engineering, MS: Mechanical Engineering (GCC Doc. No. 2472)

        Initial approval of accelerated graduate program to replace existing integrated BS/MS program.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this new accelerated graduate program change.  Motion passed unanimously.
    4. Curricular Codes
      1. AMLLC (Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures)

        Request to move the AMLLC curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to World Languages and Cultures.

        This move will affect the following areas:  AMLLC, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Korean, Polish, and Russian.  The following areas will move to History:  Latin, Greek, Ethnic, and Hmong.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      2. CHINESE (Chinese)

        Request to move the CHINESE curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of the Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to World Languages and Cultures.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      3. CLASSIC (Classics)

        Request to move the CLASSIC curricular code plus all associate programs and courses from Classics to History.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change. Motion passed unanimousl
      4. ETHNIC (Comparative Ethnic Studies)

        Request to move the ETHIC programs and courses into the History department.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      5. GERMAN (German)

        Request to move the GERMAN curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Culture to World Languages and Culture.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      6. GREEK (Greek)

        Request to move the GREEK curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from Classics to History.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      7. HEBREW (Hebrew Language)

        Request to move the HEBREW curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literature, and Cultures to World Languages and Cultures.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      8. HMONG (Hmong Studies)

        Request to move the HMONG programs, courses, and curriculum code to the History department.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      9. KOREAN (Korean)

        Request to move the KOREAN curricular code, plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literature, and Culture to World Languages and Cultures.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      10. LATIN (Latin)

        Request to move the LATIN curricular code, plus all associated programs and courses from Classics to History.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      11. LIBRLST (Liberal Studies)

        The Liberal Studies program (MLS) has been inactivated.  The curricular code should not appear in the SOC or any other area since the program no longer exist.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      12. POLISH (Polish)

        Request to move the POLISH curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to World Languages and Cultures.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      13. RUSSIAN (Russian)

        Request to move the RUSSIAN curricular code plus all associated programs and courses from the department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literature, and Cultures to World Languages and Cultures.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
      14. SCNDVST (Scandinavian Studies)

        The Scandinavian Studies program (a certificate) was inactivated with last catalog year 2020 – 2021.  The curriculum code needs to be terminated so that it doesn’t show up in the schedule of classes, etc.

        A motion was made and seconded to approve this curricular code change.  Motion passed unanimously.
  3. Information Only
  1. Suspension of Admission to Programs:
    1. Information Studies, PhD (GCC Doc. No. 2473)

      SOIS is looking to re-evaluate the PhD program.  In the meantime, the programs feels that it is best to suspend admission while they determine the proper path forward for the program.  Suspension of admission was approved in SOIS Faculty Council on 10/3/2025.
    2. Management Science, PhD (GCC Doc. No. 2474)

      Temporarily suspend admissions to the PhD program for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 due to budgetary concerns.
    3. Taxation, Graduate Certificate (GCC Doc. No. 2475)

      Request to temporarily suspend admissions due to low enrollment and budgetary constraints.  Insufficient course offerings for the program currently but expect to revive in the future.  BUS ADM 839, Topics in Taxation: (Tax Issues and Planning for Multi-jurisdictional Businesses) was last offered in Fall 2004 and is not part of curriculum.  BUS ADM 826 is part of the curriculum, but course has been temporarily cancelled due to low enrollment.
  1. Other Business
  2. Adjourn
    1:26 p.m.

Course Action Requests

CourseActionType of Change
CHEM 931ChangeRe Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
CHEM 932ChangeRe Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
CHEM 933ChangeRe Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
CHEM 934ChangeRe Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
CHEM 935ChangeRe Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
ECON 734ChangeTitle
ED POL 501(G) (ED POL 501)ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 520 (ED POL 520 (G))ChangeDescription, Prerequisites
ED POL 575 (G)ChangeTitle, Description
ED POL 607 (ED POL 607 (G))ChangeGrade Option, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
ED POL 624 (ED POL 624 (G))ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 626 (ED POL 626 (G))ChangeTitle, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
ED POL 627 (ED POL 627 (G))ChangeTitle, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
ED POL 630 (ED POL 630 (G))ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description,
ED POL 633 (ED POL 633 (G))ChangeDescription, Prerequisites
ED POL 688 (ED POL 688 (G))ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 698 (ED POL 698 (G))ChangeGrade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 702ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 705ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 710ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 740ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 750ChangeTitle, Grade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 805ChangeGrade Option, Description, Prerequisites
ED POL 822ChangeGrade Option, Description
EXCEDUC 760ChangeDescription, Prerequisites
EXCEDUC 761ChangeDescription, Prerequisites
EXCEDUC 775ChangeDescription, Prerequisites
FILM 460 (FILM 460 (G))ChangeRe-Takeable for Credit, Course Rules, Prerequisites
FILM 710ChangeTitle, Description, Prerequisites
FILM 712ChangeTitle, Description, Prerequisites
FILM 714ChangeTitle, Description, Prerequisites
HCA 821ChangeTitle, Description, Prerequisites
HCA 867ChangeTitle, Description
HCA 870ChangeTitle, Credits
LIBRLST 901DiscontinueDiscontinue
MUSIC 762ChangeTitle, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
NURS 823ChangeTitle, Credits, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
NURS 824ChangeTitle, Credits, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
NURS 825DiscontinueDiscontinue
NURS 834ChangeTitle, Credits, Description, Course Rules, Prerequisites
NURS 835DiscontinueDiscontinue
PH 779ChangePrerequisites

New/Substantially Revised Courses

Course NumberNewCourse Title
PH 810NewFundamentals and Applications of Structural Equation Modeling

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is widely used statistical methodology with applications across psychology, social sciences, health sciences, education, and related disciplines.  Despite its importance, the existing SEM course in the department of Educational Psychology has not been offered for more than a decade, leaving a significant curricular gap.  Offering this course will meet a clear and growing demand among graduate students and researchers across our college and the university.  In addition, by providing advanced methodological training that is not readily available elsewhere in the region, this course has the potential to attract students from other local universities, thereby enhancing the college’s academic reputation and generating additional enrollment revenue.

GCC Feedback: The Following Information is Required for All Classes:

(1) Office hours are by appointment only.  (2) Incomplete policy states “Late submissions without prior approval will not receive full credit.” – specify % of penalty, for example, 20% per 24 hours.  (3)  ISBN is required for readings.  (3) The assignments are worth 70% in total but it would be helpful if the weight for each of the five assignments was included.  (4)  “Syllabus links” link is present but broken (though the content of the links is reproduced below)

GCC Feedback:  The Following Information is Recommended for All Classes:

(1) There is no AI statement.  Missing.  Please add.  (2) Include an explicit statement that explains what AI use is and is not allowed.

GCC Feedback:  The Following Information is Suggested for All Classes:

(1) Academic integrity appears both on p. 5 and p. 7- 8.  Is it needed in both places?

A motion was made and seconded to contingently approve the new course. Motion passed unanimously.

Committee website:  https://uwm.edu/secu/governance/faculty/standing-committees/graduate-curriculum-committee/