2.0 Core Requirements
3.0 Comprehensive Standards
4.0 Federal Requirements
3.4.1 Academic Program Approval |
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Thursday, 03 September 2009 13:27 |
3.4.1 Academic Program Approval
The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is approved by the faculty and the administration. Responsible Unit: Division of Academic Affairs/Faculty Senate Compliance Judgment Compliance Narrative
Upon notification of proposal approval from the Provost, faculty members can proceed in obtaining approval to establish a new academic program. The University of North Carolina system requires that all new academic programs be approved before a university can establish the degree. A new degree program can be suggested by any faculty member or group of faculty. Considering the University's vision, mission and goals established by our Futures planning process, any new program, in general, should be interdisciplinary in nature. The process outlined below begins when the UNC-GA has been notified that the university is planning a new bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. The following are the procedures for the Provost to officially request establishment of a new degree.
Program and Learning Outcomes (See SACS 3.3.1.1, Institutional Effectiveness): Currently, North Carolina A&T State University offers 117 undergraduate majors [9], 58 master majors, and 5 doctoral majors totally 180 degree programs. The University is comprised of eight schools/colleges and each program has its own mission and vision statement in keeping with the overall mission and strategic plan of the University. Additionally, there are over 500 distance education courses [10] developed and offered in all colleges and schools at NC A&T State University with more courses under development. These courses are distributed in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Economics, School of Education, College of Engineering, School of Nursing, and School of Technology. In addition, there are numerous distance learning extension courses offered at four sites throughout North Carolina. There are four Bachelor of Science online degree programs: (1) Agricultural Education, (2) Business Education, (3) Electronics Technology, and (4) Occupational Safety and Heath. There are three Master of Science degree programs: (1) Agricultural Education, (2) Instructional Technology and (3) Vocational Education. In addition, there is one graduate degree program offered through extension programs: Adult Education (M.S. - Charlotte, NC) North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State. The learning objectives of each degree program state the learning outcomes that student should attain upon completion of a degree program. For an example see the Human Development and Services Human Resources Rehabilitation Counseling program's learning objectives. [11] All four year degree programs at the University require a minimum of 124 semester hours and a maximum of 128 semester hours, excluding deficiency courses and remedial work for the bachelor's degree. Semester hour requirements beyond 128 must be approved by the Board of Governors. The University Faculty Senate [12] is the legislative body of the faculty who recommend requirements for admission, courses of study/curricula and requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees; recommend academic policies that impact respective educational programs of study; and recommend and/or endorse the establishment or discontinuance of undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs. One segment of the university mission[13] encompasses the teaching and learning process which involves not only a commitment to knowledge and research, but also appreciates the influences of diverse thoughts, values, processes, resources, and structures as it seeks to organize and plan lifelong learning experiences. High expectations are supported by an infrastructure that facilitates the opportunity for constituents within the University to achieve and excel individually and collectively. Opportunities for learning are enhanced by varied methods of instruction, 24-hour availability which includes distance education learning, and through partnerships that are collaborative and cooperative. The teaching role of faculty members reflects their centrality in addressing the primary educational mission of the university. As faculty members teach, they disseminate and impart basic or applied knowledge to students and assist students with the learning process and applying the knowledge. Faculty governing principles and guidelines are outlined in the faculty handbook. [14].
Assessment Activities (See SACS 2.5, Institutional Effectiveness for a detailed explanation of assessment process): The planning and evaluation of the educational activities of the University include a strategic planning progress which creates a framework for determining the direction a department/program/unit should take to achieve its desired future. Faculty are engaged in the strategic planning process for the academic unit. The department chairpersons are responsible for the leadership and administration of the academic departments. Each department holds faculty meetings to provide faculty a venue for open discussion on various departmental communications e.g. curriculum changes, policy implementation or revisions. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] The annual assessment report provides the foundation for each administrative support unit to assess institutional effectiveness and include the following:
Each unit employs multiple assessment instruments to determine if goals are met. Under each goal, an objective is identified, followed by the outcome achieved, assessment measurements, assessment procedures, the administrative of assessment procedures, and how findings from the assessment data were used to improve the unit. As an example of an academic unit assessment goal, the Human Development and Services Human Resources Rehabilitation Counseling [22] department was to present theoretical and practical experiences which prepare graduates to function effectively as counselors or administrators of counseling programs. Their outcomes achieved were successful completion of related courses; successful matriculation through the program; passing the departmental comprehensive examination; and passing the rehabilitation counseling program comprehensive examination. From the analysis of the end of the year assessment, the Rehabilitation Counseling department implemented the following program improvements: bi-annual faculty retreat; consistency among syllabi regarding course requirements and discussions concerning an on-line review course for departmental comps. Supporting Documents [2] Procedures, Request Planning for a New Academic Program [3] Procedures, Request Establishment of a New Academic Program [4] Procedures, Request Establishment of a New Certificate Program [5] FUTURES, Planning and Resource Council, Vision [6] UNC-GA, 400.1.1 Regulations for Academic Program Planning and Evaluation [7] Academic Affairs, Notification of Intent to Plan a New Degree Program form [8] UNC-GA, 400.1, Academic Program Planning [9] Academic Affairs, Undergraduate Academic Degree Programs [11] Strategic Plan, Rehabilitation Counseling 2007-2008 [13] Undergraduate Bulletin, 2008-2010, p. 3 [15] Faculty Minutes, College of Engineering, March 29, 2005 [16] Faculty Minutes, College of Arts & Sciences, November 19, 2008 [17] Faculty Minutes, School of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Science, October 23, 2008 [18] Faculty Minutes, School of Technology, March 27, 2008 [19] Faculty Minutes, School of Nursing, April 2, 2009 [20] Faculty Minutes. UNST Faculty Roundtable, February 26, 2009 [21] Faculty Minutes, University Studies Faculty Roundtable, September 26, 2008 [22] Strategic Plan, Rehabilitation Counseling 2007-2008
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 February 2010 14:27 ) |
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