Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Purpose. This
rule implements a uniform submission, approval, and compliance process for
specialized associate in arts transfer degree programs proposed and offered by
Florida College System institutions in accordance with Section (s.)
1007.25(9),
Florida Statutes (F.S.). The specialized associate in arts transfer degree
program will allow for a seamless transfer into specific university degree
programs that require an associate in arts (AA) degree seeking student to go
beyond the sixty (60) credit hours required for the general AA degree for
admission to specific baccalaureate degree programs.
(2) Definitions.
(a) "College" means an institution within the
Florida College System.
(b)
"Completed proposal" means a college's final submission of a specialized
associate in arts transfer degree program proposal to the Division for
consideration by the State Board of Education.
(c) "Division" means the Division of Florida
Colleges.
(d) "Initial proposal"
means a college's first submission of a specialized associate in arts transfer
degree program proposal to the Division for review.
(e) Specialized associate in arts transfer
degree is hereby defined as stated in Rule
6A-14.030(4),
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
(3) Specialized associate in arts transfer
degree program notice of intent (NOI). To provide colleges and state
universities with preliminary information regarding the proposed specialized
associate in arts transfer degree program, a college seeking consideration of
approval by the State Board of Education for a new specialized associate in
arts transfer degree program must first complete and submit an NOI form, Form
No. SAAT-01, in accordance with the requirements specified in s.
1007.25(9)(b)1., F.S.
(a) A college may submit
an NOI at any time, and the NOI shall remain valid for two (2) years from its
receipt by the Division.
(b) If the
initial proposal is not received within two (2) years of receipt of the NOI,
the college must begin the proposal process anew, beginning with submission of
a new NOI.
(c) Upon receipt of the
NOI, the Division shall have ten (10) business days to forward the NOI to all
colleges and to the Chancellor of the State University System, who shall
forward the NOI to all state universities.
(4) Specialized associate in arts transfer
degree program comment period.
(a) After
receipt of the NOI, colleges and state universities shall have sixty (60)
calendar days to submit comments to the proposed specialized associate in arts
transfer degree program.
(b)
Comments must be submitted to the president of the proposing college and to the
chancellor of the Florida College System at ChancellorFCS@fldoe.org.
(c) Colleges shall have an opportunity to
provide a response to comments received by state universities as part of the
initial proposal application.
(5) Specialized associate in arts transfer
degree program proposal application. A college seeking consideration of
approval by the State Board of Education for a new specialized associate in
arts transfer degree program must complete and submit the specialized associate
in arts transfer degree program proposal form, Form No. SAAT-02, in accordance
with the criteria specified in s. 1007.25(9)(b)3., F.S.
(a) Upon receipt of an initial proposal, the
Division shall review the proposal to determine compliance with criteria in s.
1007.25(9)(b)3., F.S., and other information requested on the proposal form
including but not limited to an articulation agreement, Form No. SAAT-03,
between the college and state university for graduates of the specialized
associate in arts transfer degree program.
(b) Based on the review of the initial
proposal, within thirty (30) calendar days, the Division shall notify the
college of any deficiencies. The college shall be required to submit a revised,
completed proposal application, which addresses deficiencies identified by the
Division, to proceed with the request to offer the specialized associate in
arts transfer degree program. There is no specified timeline for the college to
address the deficiencies and submit the completed proposal.
(c) Unless the proposal is withdrawn by the
college, the Division shall forward the completed proposal application,
including all related documentation, to the Commissioner of Education with a
written analysis.
(d) After receipt
of a completed proposal, the Commissioner of Education shall have forty-five
(45) days to recommend approval or disapproval to the State Board of Education
for its consideration.
(6) Specialized associate in arts transfer
degree program student and program performance reporting.
(a) Each college with one (1) or more
specialized associate in arts transfer degree programs shall annually submit
one specialized associate in arts transfer degree program reporting form, Form
SAAT-04, for each active specialized associate in arts transfer degree
program.
(b) Annually, the Division
shall notify the colleges of the due date for specialized associate in arts
transfer degree program reports at least sixty (60) days prior to the due
date.
(7) Incorporated
documents. The following forms are hereby incorporated by reference and made
part of this rule. Copies may be obtained at Division of Florida Colleges
Webpage (https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/administrators/saat.stml)
or from the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee,
Florida, 32399.
(a) Form No. SAAT-1, Notice of
Intent (NOI), (
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16836),
effective August 2024.
(b) Form No.
SAAT-2, Proposal Application, (
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16837),
effective August 2024.
(c) Form No.
SAAT-3, Articulation Agreement, (
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16838),
effective August 2024.
(d) Form No.
SAAT-4, Student and Program Performance Report, (
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16839),
effective August 2024.
Rulemaking Authority
1001.02,
1007.25(9)(e)
FS. Law Implemented 1007.25
FS.
