Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
A. Organization and Governance
1. The institution has a current written
document detailing administrative responsibilities of the governing
board,administrators, the faculty, the staff, and the students (if staff and
students participate in institutional governance).
2. The institution has an organizational
chart that clearly shows lines of authority and the relationship among
component units and personnel.
B. Institutional Objectives
1. The institution has defined its
educational mission and general purposes or goals, and has included within its
statement of purpose such uniqueness of programming and educational
philosophy as may be inherent in the proposed degree offerings.
2. The institution's
statement of purpose is readily identifiable through its course and
program offerings.
C.
Degree Requirements
1. The institution awards
degrees, only upon successful completion of the courses or programs of study,
and degree requirements to be met are specified in writing.
2. The institution's semester hour*
requirements for degree completion meet the following minimums:
Associate Degree - An Associate degreerequires a minimum of
60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours. The Associate of Arts degree shall
include a minimum of 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours in general education
courses.** The Associate of Science degree
shall include a minimum of 15 semester hours or 23 quarter hours in general
education courses.
Baccalaureate Degree - A Baccalaureate degree requires a
minimum of 120 semester hours or 180*** quarter hours
Master's Degree - A Master's degree shall require a minimum
of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours beyond the Baccalaureate.
Doctoral Degree - A Doctoral degree shall require a minimum
of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours beyond the Baccalaureate in addition
to the dissertation.
Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis for
institutions using a non-traditional approach instead of semester hours or
quarter hours to determine degree completion
D. Admission Requirements
1. The institution has a written policy
defining the minimum requirements for admission and for acceptance at the
specific degree level or into the specific degree program proposed by the
institution, consistent with criteria established by the appropriate regional
or nationally recognized specialized accrediting agency.
2. The admission policies include detailed
attention to the standards for academic credit given for experience, and the
criteria for transfer credit.
3.
The institution has a written policy detailing the criteria and procedure to be
followed in providing for a refund of tuition and fees.
E. Academic Programs
1. The educational program and curriculum
reflects the philosophy, purposes, and objectives of the institution.
2. The institution has a written policy
describing its system for evaluating student performance, the minimum
performance considered satisfactory, the criteria for academic probation and
conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory performance.
3. Procedures for the evaluation of the
quality of programs of instruction and specific courses are clearly stated in
writing.
4. The institution's
programs of study consist of planned educational experiences to meet the stated
objectives and include attention to the necessary prerequisites, required
courses, and appropriate progression.
F. Faculty
1. The preponderance of faculty members
provide instruction and possess academic, scholarly, and teaching
qualifications appropriate to their respective positions and teaching
assignments and are distributed in such a way that all students benefit from
these qualifications.
2. The
faculty is involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum
for all degree programs to assure quality learning experiences are provided for
all students.
3. The faculty
participates in the governance of the institution and the academic programs as
well as in short-term institutional planning activities.
G. Student Services
1. Students are provided with, and have
access to, a system of educational, career and personal advising
services.
H. Library and
Learning Resources 1. The institution maintains and provides ready access to
library and learning resources, virtual and/or physical, that are adequate and
appropriate for student achievement of stated program goals and
objectives.
I. Facilities
1. The institution provides and maintains an
appropriate learning environment with the necessary supports and technologies
sufficient for student achievement of educational objectives. In doing so,
industry standards for health, safety, and maintenance are followed.
J. Financial Resources
1. The application for establishment of a new
degree-granting program documents a complete and realistic plan for
implementing and financing the proposed academic program during the first
five-year cycle of operation. The plan is based on reasonably projected
enrollment levels; the nature and extent of instructional services required;
the availability of existing resources to support the program; additional
resource requirements; and projected/committed sources of funding.
2. The application from an existing
degree-granting institution clearly documents that it has the financial
resources necessary to support its purposes, implement its program and maintain
its continuity for a minimum of five years by providing its most recent audited
financial statement, and that evidence exists of long range financial
planning.
