Section 20 AAC 17.225 - Requirements for degrees and degree programs(a) A degree program must be within the scope of an accredited institution's accreditation, and must adhere to the standards under (b) of this section. If a postsecondary institution wishes to establish a new degree program or degree program title, the institution must present the following information to the commission: (1) a rationale that the program or degree title could not reasonably be included in a program or degree title already approved by the commission;(2) evidence that the new program or degree title is needed, based upon student interest; state, regional, national or international need; or contributions that the new program or degree title will provide to existing institutional programs or departments;(3) evidence that a plan for review of the new program or degree title is in place; and(4) evidence that commission requirements for initiation of a new program or degree title have been satisfied.(b) The following standards shall apply to a degree program: (1) associate degrees (including AA or AS): The Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree, and other associate degrees are designed primarily to prepare students to transfer to a baccalaureate program. The institution shall require satisfactory completion of not less than 60 or more than 72 semester credit hours, or the equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, of college credit. At least 30 of the credit hours must be earned by direct classroom instruction and laboratory experience, or a commission-approved alternative delivery system. Academic credit required for graduation is exclusive of credit that may be awarded for developmental basic studies, skills courses, and college orientation. The general education requirements must total not less than 30 semester credit hours, or the equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, in an array of representative courses from each of the following categories: communications, mathematics, laboratory sciences, social sciences, and humanities. A minimum of three semester hours, or the equivalent, must be earned in each category.(2) career or professional associate degrees (including AAS or AOS): The Associate of Applied Science degree, Associate of Occupational Science degree, and other career or professional associate degrees must have the same requirements as the Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree, and other associate degrees, with the following exceptions: (A) the programs shall be designed primarily for immediate employment; (B) the degree shall be identified with a specialty designation; and (C) the general education component must constitute a minimum of 15 semester hours, or the equivalent, in courses or other measurements used by the institution, in an array of representative courses from each of the following categories: communications, mathematics, laboratory sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. A minimum of three semester hours, or the equivalent, must be earned in each category; and the specialty component must constitute 50 - 75 percent of the course credits. The commission encourages the development of interdisciplinary courses if they promote the achievement of program objectives.(3) Baccalaureate Degree (such as BS, BA): (A) These degrees require a minimum of 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, of successful college study, or its equivalent in depth and quality of experience as authorized by the commission. These degrees usually represent four years of full-time undergraduate study. No more than 140 semester credits or 210 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, must be required by an institution for a baccalaureate degree. However, an institution may require more credits or their equivalent if that institution obtains the approval of the commission.(B) For an institution to recognize a major field of study, the student must earn a minimum of 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, in the declared major field of study. For an institution to recognize a minor field of study, the student must earn a minimum of 12 semester credits or 18 quarter credits in the declared minor field of study. However, an institution may require fewer credits or their equivalents for a major or minor field of study, if that institution obtains the approval of the commission.(C) A minimum of 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, must be earned in upper division courses that build upon lower division coursework.(D) The institution's coursework requirements must provide for a minimum of 30 semester credit hours, or the equivalent, in general education requirements, to be distributed with at least three semester hours, or their equivalent, in each of the following subject areas: communications, mathematics, laboratory sciences, social sciences, and humanities.(4) first graduate degrees (including MA and MS):(A) The Master of Arts degree, Master of Science degree, and other first graduate degrees usually represent one year of post-baccalaureate study.(B) A minimum of 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, must be earned for the degree.(C) At least 24 of the required semester credits or their equivalent must be earned at the graduate level.(D) In addition to the minimum credits specified in (B) and (C) of this paragraph, a thesis or a comprehensive or proficiency examination must be successfully completed.(5) First Professional Degree (such as MBA, MEE):(A) The first professional degree usually requires two years of post baccalaureate study. Extensive undergraduate preparation or professional experience may reduce the usual time needed for completion of a first professional degree.(B) A minimum of 36 semester credits or 54 quarter credits, or their equivalent in courses or other measurements used by the institution, must be required for completion of the first professional degree.(C) At least 24 of the required semester credits or their equivalent must be earned at the graduate level.(D) In addition to the minimum credits specified in (B) and (C) of this paragraph, a thesis, a capstone course, or a comprehensive or proficiency examination must be successfully completed.(6) Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD): This standard research degree indicates the student has done, and is trained to do, original research in the field. The PhD requires the equivalent of three or more years of graduate study, comprehensive examinations, and evidence of competence in original, independent research as demonstrated through a doctoral dissertation.(7) Terminal Professional Degree (such as EdD): This degree requires the equivalent of three or more years of graduate work. This degree requires comprehensive examinations and evidence of competence in original, independent research as demonstrated through a doctoral dissertation.(c) An institution may award an undergraduate degree only if the student has earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 ("C") on a scale of 4.0 ("A") for all coursework and a minimum grade of 2.0 ("C") on a scale of 4.0 ("A") in all courses required of a selected major or minor. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 ("B") on a scale of 4.0 ("A") for all coursework is required for the institution's awarding of graduate degrees.(d) A credit transfer contract between an accredited institution and an institution that is not accredited must(1) conform to the policies and guidelines for contractual relationships and for the transfer and award of credit in the Accreditation Handbook, of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 2013 edition, adopted by reference; and Click here to view Accreditation Handbook, 2013 edition
(2) be approved by the commission.(e) Non-traditional external or off-campus programs must meet all applicable requirements for campus-based programs, including comparability and quality of course content, faculty qualifications, criteria for evaluation, and accessibility to appropriate library and academic support resources.(f) A postsecondary institution may develop innovative or flexible courses or programs that may depart from the requirements of this section, so long as those courses or programs provide instruction that fulfills both the stated institutional mission and the learning objectives of the enrolling student. Before implementing those courses or programs, the institution must present its plan to the commission for review and approval.Eff. 4/19/90, Register 114; am 11/5/92, Register 124; am 4/24/98, Register 146; am 8/26/98, Register 147; am 4/20/2000, Register 154; am 3/1/2002, Register 161; am 1/30/2003, Register 165; am 12/31/2005, Register 176; am 12/29/2010, Register 196; am 2/22/2015, Register 213, April 2015The Accreditation Handbook, adopted by reference in 20 AAC 17.225(d), can be obtained by writing to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities at: 8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052. An electronic version is available at http://www.nwccu.org. The commission's telephone number is (425) 558-4224.
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