Course Description Template & Instructions

The "Course Description Template" was created in response to (and with feedback from) high school educators around the state. Our hope is that it will guide high school teachers and administrators in developing course descriptions that fully describe the content of courses that are submitted for "a-g" approval. By having complete course information, UC course reviewers can more accurately judge whether the course meets the requirements and can more easily provide useful feedback if the course does not meet criteria.

Feel free to use this template simply as a guide if your school/district prefers to use another format that sufficiently addresses the information required by UC.

For ease of use, please download the MS Word version of the template. We suggest that you use the Template Instructions as you complete this template. Or click on the "?" next to each question to read the instructions regarding that question. The Template Instructions also serve as a text alternative for users that have difficulty accessing the Template in table-form below.

Examples of the specific course templates can be found by scrolling down to #7 and clicking on the appropriate subject/category area.

A. COVER PAGE

Date of Submission (Please include Month, Day and Year)

1. Contact Information

First Name:____________ Last Name:_________________________
Title/Position:_____________________________________________
Phone:___________________ Ext.:____________________________
E-mail:___________________________________________________

2. Course Description

Course Title: ?

Transcript Title(s) / Abbreviation(s): ?

Transcript Course Code(s) / Number(s): ?

Seeking "Honors" Distinction: ?

Yes, AP

Yes, IB (higher level)

Yes, IB (standard level)

Yes, Other Honors

Subject Area: ?

	History/Social Science ("a")
		History/Social Science - US History
		History/Social Science - Government
		History/Social Science - World History/Cultures/Geography
	English ("b")
		English
		English Language Development/English as a Second Language
	Mathematics ("c")
	Laboratory Science ("d")
	Language other than English ("e")
	Visual & Performing Arts ("f")
	Elective ("g")
		College Prep Elective - History/Social Science
		College Prep Elective - English
		College Prep Elective - Mathematics
		College Prep Elective - Science
		College Prep Elective - Visual & Performing Arts
		College Prep Elective - Interdisciplinary
		College Prep Elective - Other

Grade Level(s) for which this course is designed: ?

	9
	10
	11
	12

Unit Value: ?

	0.5 (half year or semester equivalent)
	1.0 (one year equivalent)
	Other:

3. Previously Approved Courses

Complete outlines are not needed for courses that were previously approved by UC. ?
Was this course previously approved? Yes No

If yes, select all that apply.

A course reinstated after removal within 3 years.
Year removed from list:____________
Same course title? Yes No
If no, previous course title:_____________________________

An identical course approved at another school in same district.
Which school?_______________________________________
Same course title? Yes No
If no, course title at other school?________________________

Approved International Baccalaureate (IB) course

Approved CDE Agricultural Education course

Approved P.A.S.S./Cyber High course

Approved UCCP/UCI course

Approved ROP/C course. Name of ROP/C/Organization:___________

Approved A.V.I.D. course

Approved C.A.R.T. course

Approved Project Lead the Way course

CSU Expository Reading and Writing courses

Other. Explain: __________________________________________

Advanced Placement Course
If Advanced Placement, has it been authorized by the College Board through the AP Audit process? Yes No
If not, please explain why:___________________________________
If in progress, date submitted to AP:___________________________

Is this course a resubmission ? Yes No

If yes, date(s) of previous submission?________________________

Title of previous submission? _______________________________

Is this an Internet-based course ?

Yes No
If yes, who is the provider?

PASS/Cyber High

Other:_____________

Is this course modeled after an UC-approved course from another school outside your district ? Yes No
If so, which school(s)? ___________________________________

Course title at other school? ______________________________

Is this course classified as a Career Technical Education? ?

Yes

No If Yes:
Name of Industry Sector:______________________________________
Name of Career Pathway:_____________________________________

4. Catalog Description

Brief Course Description ?

Pre-Requisites ?

Co-Requisites ?

5. Optional Background Information

Context for Course (optional) ?

History of Course Development (optional) ?

6. Texts and Supplemental Instructional Materials

Textbook(s) ?

Supplemental Instructional Materials ?

7. Download Subject Specific Templates

History/Social Science
	History/Social Science - US History
	History/Social Science - Government
	History/Social Science - World History/Cultures/Geography
English
	English
	English Language Development/English as a Second Language
Mathematics
	Mathematics
Laboratory Science
	Laboratory Science
Language other than English
	Language other than English
Visual & Peforming Arts
	Visual & Performing Arts
Elective
	College Prep Elective - History/Social Science
	College Prep Elective - English
	College Prep Elective - Mathematics
	College Prep Elective - Science
	College Prep Elective - Visual & Performing Arts
	College Prep Elective - Interdisciplinary
	College Prep Elective - Other