Guidelines for Special Topics Courses

General Information

All subject matter areas have established a standard set of special topics courses: 198, 298, 398, 498, 598, 698.

Special topics courses can be offered for one semester only (see EM 21-027, Course Numbering Policy). They cover topics of temporal or special interest which will not be made a regular on-going part of the curriculum. Experimental courses may also be offered as special topic courses and subsequently proposed as a regular course (see Additions, Deletions, and Changes to Regular Course Offerings).

Special topics courses cannot be required in a degree, minor, or certificate program because of their temporary nature, but may be included in a list of electives for any program.

Special topics courses are initiated through standard department and college course proposal and curriculum procedures. The dean's approval on the proposal indicates that the course has gone through curriculum review and is approved. Once approved at the college level, the course is announced to the campus community by Curriculum Services. See Intent Procedure to Add, Delete or Change courses for the detailed procedure. Courses not advertised before the course is offered will not be approved; any sections already scheduled will have to be cancelled. 

After the two-week period for response, Academic Scheduling will set up the course for the department to schedule for the appropriate term. Please insert a specific title when scheduling. The title must be inserted in the correct field (not the "notes" area) or it will not show on student transcripts. Contact Academic Scheduling for help with adding the title or if you have problems scheduling the course.

Submit a Special Topics request using this link: https://nextcatalog.csuchico.edu/miscadmin/

• Select Propose New Miscellaneous then choose Special Topics Course Request from the dropdown menu. 
• For help with the form, or to request access, please contact Curriculum Services.

Special Topics Advertising Deadlines