This week we will begin accepting proposals for 2027-28 core courses. This round of proposals is limited to new Core courses — existing courses that do not currently carry a core designation or new courses that have not previously been offered. Courses that currently carry a core designation do not require a proposal at this time, as their designations will continue through the 2027-28 academic year. The proposal portal will open on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and will remain open through Monday, Nov. 2. The prospectuses include guidance on the proposal process, and I encourage you to review them before you begin.
Proposals may be submitted by individual faculty members or collaboratively by groups of faculty. Both are welcome. Collaborative proposals are encouraged, as creating common learning experiences across course sections is a priority of the proposed new Core Curriculum.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Faculty Core Advisory Committees (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, or STEM) that are currently being formed. Decisions will be communicated on a rolling basis by Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.
This spring (2027) we will accept proposals for 2028-29 core courses. The spring cycle will open in January and continue through April. During the spring cycle, we will accept proposals for both new and continuing core courses. Courses approved during this fall’s round of proposals will not need to be re-reviewed during the spring cycle. However, all current core courses must be reviewed and approved during the spring cycle, or they will lose their core designation after the 2027-28 academic year.
We recognize that this work asks a great deal of our faculty, and we are deeply appreciative of the care and creativity you bring to it. The Core will be stronger because of the many colleagues who are shaping it.
We remain committed to partnering with faculty, departments, colleges, and schools at every stage of implementation. Please continue to share your ideas, questions, and concerns at core.curriculum@austin.utexas.edu.
