Section II: Core Requirements

2.7. The institution

     2.7.1. more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The institution provides a written justification and rationale for program equivalency. (Program Length)

    2.7.2. offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with its stated purpose and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. (Program Content)

    2.7.3  requires in each undergraduate degree program the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that is (1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge,  and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics.  The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. The institution provides a written justification and rationale for course equivalency. (General Education)

    2.7.4. provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which if awards degrees. If the institution makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia, or uses some other alternative approach to meeting this requirement, the alternative approach must be approved by the Commission on Colleges. In all cases, the institution demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program. (Contractual Agreements for Instruction)

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance.

Northeast Alabama Community College offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours at the associate level. The College offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs with a variety of programs of study, all of which require a minimum of 60 semester credit hours for completion.  Most of the programs require 60-64 hours. The exceptions, such as (Pre) Civil Engineering, can go as high as 67 hours. Under the statewide articulation agreement, up to half of the total four-year credit hour requirement may be earned at the community college. The number of hours in the student’s program of study is referenced to the number of hours allowed for transfer.

In addition to the A.A. and A.S. degree programs, the College offers seven Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs. These programs range in semester credit hour requirements from 63 to 71 (State Board Policy 712.01 allows from 60 to 76 hours for A.A.S. degree programs).

Table 1

The course of study embodied in the degree programs is coherent. Each course of study is modeled within a set of requirements established specific to the A.A., the A.S., or the A.A.S. degree. Coursework is outlined within five areas, encompassing specifics and options within written composition; humanities and fine arts; natural sciences and mathematics; history, social and behavioral sciences; and courses specific to the chosen major. Allowance is made, when appropriate, for electives of choice or for placement with reference to student achievement within the outlines set by the definition of the area and the levels at which credit toward the degree is valid.  

Table 2

Table 3

The course of study embodied within the degree programs is compatible with Northeast’s stated purpose. With reference to degree programs, the mission statement of Northeast specifies the following goals:

Goal Two:  General education at the freshman and sophomore levels that prepares students to continue their education through transfer.

Goal Three:  Courses in transfer and career programs that are available, accessible, and affordable to students. 

Goal Six:  Technical, vocational and career education programs that prepare students for employment in occupational fields and which lead to certificates, diplomas and/or associate degrees.

The courses of study embodied in the A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. degree programs are clearly compatible with these goals expressed in the purpose.

The courses of study are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) must approve each course of study offered at NACC; approval by ACHE attests that the fields of study on which the courses of study are based are considered appropriate to higher education.

The individual courses that compose the approved courses of study at NACC are listed in the Alabama College System Course Directory, indicating the consensus of the colleges and the Alabama College System that the courses themselves are appropriate to higher education.

Each transfer (A.A. or A.S.) program is articulated within a four-year program that can be completed at one or more colleges or universities within the state of Alabama. The Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC), composed of representatives of state universities and public two-year colleges, was established by Alabama Legislative Act 94-202 (March 17, 1994) with the purpose of developing the articulation agreements and making available an online articulation resource (STARS: Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System).  Inclusion of a course of study within the articulation agreement indicates that this committee concurred that the course of study is within the fields of study appropriate to higher education.  The programs within the NACC curriculum, identified and outlined in the Catalog, are among the 153 programs articulated by the Committee.

The A.A.S. programs at NACC, which are not among the transfer programs, are also of topics and at levels appropriate to higher education. Each program prepares the student for employment in an occupation at a level requiring skills and knowledge well above that of a typical high school graduate (see Table 1). Two of the programs, Nursing and Emergency Medical Services, hold specialized accreditations and adhere to state or nationally approved curricula. With few exceptions, the general education courses of the A.A.S. programs are from among the same required of transfer track students, and may indeed be used for transfer credit should the student decide later to continue at a senior college. Like all other courses, the technical, area-specific courses are defined in the Alabama College System Course Directory. 

A survey conducted in May 2003 of the NACC advisory committee and community members assessed their perception as to (1) whether the respective A.A.S. degree programs at Northeast embody a coherent course of study for their particular field; (2) whether the programs are compatible with the purpose of the college; and (3) whether degree programs are fields of study appropriate to higher education. Fifty survey instruments were released and 34 individuals responded.

Of those who responded, 100% strongly agreed or agreed that degree programs are compatible with the institution’s stated purpose and are based on fields of study appropriate to higher education. Of the respondents, 97% strongly agreed or agreed that degree programs embody a coherent course of study. Three percent neither agreed nor disagreed with this statement. 

The general education program is at the collegiate level. The articulation system established by the AGSC described above verifies that the general education program is at the collegiate level.

The general education program is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree. The general education requirements compose 41 semester credit hours (out of 60-67 hours) of the A.A. and A.S. degree programs. They compose 18-29 semester credit hours of the 63-71 required for the A.A.S. degree programs (see Tables 2 and 3).

The general education program ensures a breadth of knowledge, the credit hours drawing at least one course from each of the areas of humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics.  Each degree program requires a specified number of semester credit hours from each of four areas: written composition; humanities and fine arts; natural science and mathematics; and history, social, and behavioral sciences (see Tables 2 and 3).

The general education program is based on a coherent rationale. The rationale evident in the general education program at NACC asks that the graduate be proficient in the skills of writing, speaking, mathematics, and computer literacy; be capable of understanding and appreciating expressions of the human spirit through humanities and fine arts; be prepared to apply informed judgment and interpretation to social conditions and events; and have a depth of knowledge in at least one area of science and understand the principles guiding scientific endeavor. 

The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.  Each course focuses on the area identified in the respective title and course description. The general education core courses contribute breadth of knowledge to the various fields of study without narrowly focusing on the skills, techniques, and procedures specific to any one (see Table 4).

Table 4

The institution provides a written justification and rationale for course equivalency.  The only course equivalencies considered for core courses are those defined in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or those recommended by the American Council on Education for military service credit.  Criteria for credit under the AP and CLEP programs are detailed in the Catalog, along with the directives for seeking credit for military service. The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, containing the recommendations by the American Council on Education, is followed when credit is granted for military experiences.

The institution provides instruction for all course work for at least one degree program at each level and demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program.  NACC provides instruction for all course work leading to each of its degrees, controlling all aspects of its educational programs. No instruction is provided through contractual agreements or consortia.

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