Introduction

1. The institution's primary focus is the education of its students. The institution offers collegiate-level programs that lead to degrees in recognized fields of study and require at least one academic year to complete. The institution for which the associate's degree is the highest awarded offers at least one program in liberal studies or general studies. A program is defined as a curriculum of studies, however formulated, that leads to a degree or other form of academic recognition.
2. The institution's programs are consistent with and serve to fulfill its mission and purposes. Each educational program demonstrates consistency through its goals, structure, and content; policies and procedures for admission and retention; instructional methods and procedures; and the nature, quality, and extent of student learning and achievement. The institution provides sufficient resources to sustain and improve programs and instruction.
3. The institution clearly specifies and publishes degree objectives and requirements for each program. Such objectives include the knowledge, intellectual skills, and methods of inquiry to be acquired. In addition, if relevant to the program, objectives include creative abilities and values to be developed and specific career-preparation practices to be mastered. Programs have a coherent design and are characterized by appropriate breadth, depth, continuity, sequential progression, and synthesis of learning.
4. The institution undertakes academic planning and evaluation to achieve and, where possible, to enhance the achievement of program objectives. These activities are realistic and take into account stated goals and available resources. The institution allocates human, financial, and physical resources on the basis of its academic plans, needs, and objectives. It recognizes and takes account of the increased demands on resources made by programs offered at a higher degree level.
5. As part of its overall planning and evaluation, the institution develops, approves, administers, and periodically reviews its degree programs under established, clearly defined, and effective institutional policies which are demonstrably implemented by designated bodies with clearly established channels of communication and control. The faculty has a substantive responsibility for the design and execution of the curriculum. The evaluation of existing programs includes an assessment of their effectiveness and continued need. Additions and deletions of programs or courses are consistent with available resources, faculty expertise, student needs, and academic planning. Curricular planning and evaluation take into account the role of the multiple resources required for the development and improvement of academic programs.
6. When programs are eliminated or program requirements are changed, the institution makes appropriate arrangements for enrolled students so that they may complete their education with a minimum of disruption.
7. Programs and courses are designed to ensure an opportunity for reflection and for analysis of the subject matter. The institution offering programs and courses for abbreviated or concentrated time periods demonstrates that students completing these programs or courses acquire levels of knowledge, understanding, and competencies comparable to those expected in similar programs offered in more traditional time periods.
8. Courses and programs offered for credit off campus or through continuing education, evening or week-end divisions are consistent with the educational objectives of the institution. Such activities are integral parts of the institution and maintain the same academic standards as courses and programs offered on campus. They receive sufficient support for instructional and other needs. Students have ready access to appropriate learning resources. The institution maintains direct and sole responsibility for the academic quality of all aspects of all programs and assures adequate resources to maintain quality. On-campus faculty have a substantive role in the design and implementation of off-campus programs. In programs and/or courses that use special delivery systems (such as computers, newspapers, television, video or audiotape) appropriate opportunities are provided for students to question and discuss course content with faculty.
9. If the institution depends on resources outside its direct control (for example, classrooms, library resources), provision is made for a clear, fixed understanding of that relationship which ensures the reasonable continued availability of those resources. Clear descriptions of the circumstances and procedures for the use of such resources are readily available to students who require them.
10. Conferences, institutes, workshops, or other instructional or enrichment activities that are sponsored by the institution or carry its name are compatible with its purposes and are administered within its organizational structure. The institution assumes responsibility for the appropriateness and integrity of such activities.
11. The institution has the responsibility for the academic elements of all instructional programs and courses for which it awards institutional credit. These responsibilities include course content and the delivery of the instructional program; selection and approval of faculty; admission, registration, and retention of students; evaluation of prior learning; and evaluation of student progress, including the awarding and recording of credit.