Policy Title:  Academic Program Compliance

Policy Number:   4.1

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Purpose:

The Board of Trustees oversees the administration of degree and certificate programs for the College. The Board of Trustees has the authority to review, approve, temporarily suspend, and delete programs. The Board mandates the College president maintains institutional accreditation and meet State and Federal reporting requirements.

All programs shall be approved by the Curriculum and Learning Council, the President’s Cabinet, the Board of Trustees, the Wyoming Community College Commission, and appropriate accrediting bodies.

The College is authorized to offer the following degrees and certificates:

  • Associate of Arts: A degree designed for students pursuing the arts, humanities, social sciences, and related This degree prepares the student for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program and includes substantial coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts and sciences.
  • Associate of Science: A degree designed for students pursuing science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, and related disciplines. This degree prepares the student for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program and includes substantial coursework in mathematics, natural & physical sciences, engineering, business and other related disciplines.
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: This degree is primarily a technical degree that allows the graduate to apply to take the National Council Licensure examination for registered nursing (NCLEX-RN). This degree also prepares the student for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in
  • Associate of Applied Science: A degree designed for students planning to enter the workforce upon degree completion. This degree has substantial applied coursework relevant to the specific field of study.
  • Skills Proficiency Certificates: These certificates are awarded in various occupational areas and require completion of a defined group of courses.

The Board of Trustees supports a robust, rigorous, and diverse curriculum to ensure a broad education is available to the College’s students. This curriculum must be practical and relevant to the purpose of the degree and certificate programs offered by the College and shall be designed and structured in a way that supports student completion and success.

The College shall require a minimum of 60 credit hours for an Associate Degree; a minimum of 30 credit hours for one-year certificates; and a minimum of 16 credit hours for federal student aid eligible certificates.  Students must complete all requirements of their program or approved substitutes as determined by the College prior to graduation.

The College Catalog shall be updated annually, adhering to the College’s standard approval process, and all degree and certificate requirements shall be approved by the Curriculum and Learning Council.  As long as continuous enrollment has been maintained, students can choose between graduating under the most recent catalog requirements, or the catalog requirements they first enrolled in at the College.  Students who have not maintained continuous enrollment are required to graduate under the most recent catalog.

 

References: Federal 34 CFR 602.16(a)(1)(viii); Wyo. Stat.  § 21-18-202(d)(i); Wyo. Stat.  § 21-18-202(d)(ii); and Higher Learning Commission, Criteria for Accreditation

 

Original Adoption Date: 5/8/01

Revision Date (s): 11/8/05, 7/8/14, 3/10/20, 7/9/24

Date reviewed, no change: