A-State Common Course Numbering Initiative
Objective
To implement a common course numbering system in alignment with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) directive, ensuring consistency across public universities and supporting statewide academic mobility.
Summary of the Initiative
This past spring our institution began transitioning to a standardized course numbering system, becoming the second university in Arkansas to adopt this approach. This initiative aims to:
- Maximize credit mobility for students across institutions.
- Strengthen equitable transfer pathways between campuses.
- Simplify administrative processes, including transcript evaluation.
The system builds upon the existing Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) and introduces:
- A standardized schema for credit-bearing courses.
- A separate schema for noncredit workforce training.
- No requirement for renaming courses or altering course descriptions.
This transition supports a statewide goal of creating a unified course numbering
Key Changes to Course Numbers and Prefixes
Course numbers will change from a four-digit to a five-digit format
(e.g., AGRI 6253 becomes AGRI 66253). Some course prefixes will also change to match ADHE standards (e.g., Political Science changes from POSC to PLSC).
ITS and the Registrar are updating Banner, DegreeWorks, Curriculog, and course equivalencies. Academic departments must create new sections in Coursedog for Fall 2026 scheduling, which begins in early February.
Training sessions will be offered by Academic Affairs, the Registrar’s Office, and ITS in January.