The University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine (UW DOM) encourages the development of innovative undergraduate medical education (UME) elective courses. In fact, DOM currently offers over 40 selectives and electives to medical students—with more always under development!
To ensure a smooth approval process with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), all faculty developers must work in coordination with the DOM UME team and follow the established institutional guidelines.
Follow the steps below to take your course from initial concept to official approval.
Step 1: Review the Basics
Before designing your course, familiarize yourself with the overall process and requirements with these resources!
- Essential Guide to the Course Proposal Process [Box file]
- Course Developer Toolkit [Box folder]
Step 2: Schedule a Consultation
Email the DOM UME academic manager, Tara Loushine, to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, you will discuss:
- Your course idea and topic
- Division support
- Course structure and logistics
Before your consultation meeting, please fill out this Consultation Document [Google forms].
Step 3: Review Selectives FAQs
- Developing SMPH Basic Science Selectives [Sharepoint]
- SMPH Public Health Selectives [Sharepoint]
Step 4: Build Your Syllabus
The university's required syllabus sections change occasionally. To avoid formatting delays, always use the most up-to-date templates. Do not reuse old syllabi.
UW currently provides two templates to choose from:
- Annotated template [Box file]
- Blank template [Box file]
Step 5: Get Approval
Curriculum Committee Deadlines
The UW–Madison University Curriculum Committee (UCC), which provides final approval of new course and course change proposals, has released its deadlines for 2026-27:
| Deadline | Submission Deadline* | Final Review Meeting** |
|---|---|---|
| Course change deadline (effective 2027 spring semester) | September 4, 2026 | September 25, 2026 |
| New course deadline (for 2027 spring semester) | October 23, 2026 | November 13, 2026 |
| Course change deadline (effective 2027 fall semester) | February 5, 2027 | February 26, 2027 |
| New course deadline (for 2027 fall semester) | March 19, 2027 | April 9, 2027 |
*The submission deadline is the last day a proposal can be sent in Lumen to the UCC Reviewer after receiving department, CAS, and EPCC approval.
**The date of the final meeting to vote on proposals is the last UCC meeting date for the proposals to take effect by the deadline.
Meeting Schedules
- UCC: every second and fourth Friday during the academic year (does not meet June - August)
- SMPH Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee: second Wednesday of each month
- Curriculum and Assessment Subcommittee: first Wednesday of each month
- Curriculum and Assessment Subcommittee: first Wednesday of each month