CourseLeaf Modules

About NDSU CourseLeaf Modules

  • CourseLeaf Catalog Module (CAT) is a catalog management platform that offers NDSU a web-based solution for the editing and publication of the annual online catalog. CAT integrates with Campus Connection to maintain a single source of truth while making sure course and program information is always up to date.
  • CourseLeaf Curriculum Module (CIM) is a course inventory and curriculum management platform designed for the online modification and editing of curriculum, which includes both academic programs (majors/minors/certificates) and courses. The software replaces paper editing and filing with electronic online forms and automated workflow processes at various approval levels. The online nature of the software allows for transparency during the review process and the ability to track filed proposals, automated workflows, provide notifications, and verify activity.
  • CourseLeaf Section Scheduler (CLSS) is an online section scheduler that centralizes and manages NDSU's course schedule across departments while maximizing class placement to drive student success. The platform eliminates manual data entry, streamlines schedule creation and changes, validates schedule submissions against NDSU policies, configures meeting patterns, and enhances section schedule data reporting.

CourseLeaf Access & Contact Information

CourseLeaf integrates with existing campus authentication and uses your NDSU electronic ID. The same electronic ID used for logging into campus computers. For assistance with access to CourseLeaf, please contact the Office of Registration and Records at 701-231-7981.

CourseLeaf Availability, Deadlines for Submissions, and Effective Dating of Programs/Courses

Availability

The CourseLeaf CIM module is available during the academic calendar year as follows:

  • September - Mid-March — New and existing program and course proposals may be submitted during this time for review
  • Mid-March - May — Submitted proposals may continue to be approved and advance through to the final Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year
  • June - August — the system is unavailable for annual maintenance

The CourseLeaf CLSS module is open twice a year for Fall and Spring/Summer course schedule creation. The deadlines are published on the CourseLeaf/CLSS - Instances page.

Deadline

Proposal submission is March 15 (if this date lands on a weekend, the prior Friday is the deadline). Proposals started in workflow by this date will continue to be advanced through the approval process.

Effective Dating

  • New programs and edits to existing programs go into effect the fall of each academic year.
  • New courses or changes to existing courses go into effect the fall of the next academic year.

Procedures/Steps for Submitting Proposals

Individual faculty or academic departments typically initiate the proposal (occasionally requests may be initiated at another level). The Channels for Curricular Approval/Governance (link) document may be viewed to determine through what level approval is needed. Instructions below are also available as a PDF.

Step One:

Select the option below to open the CIM module for either programs or courses:

Step Two:
  • Click the CourseLeaf icon to access the CIM module.
  • An NDSU Central Authentication Service (CAS) window will open.
  • Enter your NDSU electronic ID.

Login Image

Step Three:

The COURSE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT or PROGRAM MANAGEMENT screen will load.

Use the search criteria instructions on the page to access existing courses or programs, click the program when located and begin editing by clicking the green Edit Program button. For a new program or course, click the green Propose New Program or Propose New Course button.

Step Four:

An electronic form will open in a new window. Using the various drop-down fields, radial buttons, and text boxes, complete the proposal information.

  • Ensure the “Justification for request” or “Rationale for change” is complete.
  • Supporting documents may be uploaded as attachments.
  • When the electronic form is complete, either Save Changes to return later or Start Workflow to begin the evaluation and review process through the various curricular channels.
Procedures/Steps for Reviewers

Once Start Workflow is begun, each proposed program/course travels through a workflow of reviewers. The workflow process is adopted from Faculty Senate bylaws, ensuring that each program/course is properly reviewed and vetted by NDSU academic departments, the University Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate.

  • Reviewers receive an email notification from CourseLeaf through their NDSU email account alerting them to the item for review. A link in the email will take the reviewer directly to the CourseLeaf CIM module where the reviewer will log in using his/her NDSU electronic ID.
  • Once logged in, the reviewer will see the following: (screen shot currently not available)
    • Their role in the review process
    • The number of items requiring review and whether the item is a course (courseadmin) or program (programadmin) proposal
    • The USER who submitted the request
    • And three option buttons they may take with the request:
      • A blue Edit button – allows the receiver to make additional edits to the proposal if necessary.
      • A red Rollback button – rolls the proposal back to the previous person in the workflow list. All rollbacks require a reason for rolling back to be recorded before it will move the item back. An email notification is sent to the previous person alerting them to the rollback.
      • A green Approve button – approves what is submitted and continues the proposal to the next reviewer in the process
  • The item will load on the screen revealing various information about the proposal.
    • The person submitting the proposal
    • The workflow identifying the various levels it has been through (green), the workflow level the proposal currently resides in (yellow) and the other workflow levels it must yet pass through (grey).
    • The approval path provides a detailed summary of the user at each workflow level with their name, date and time of activity making the workflow process transparent.