Sec.10a-34-15. Curriculum and instructions

(a) General requirement. The curriculum for each program shall consist of a carefully planned and published sequence of related courses and other appropriate instructional activities that effectively address the stated objectives of the program. The curriculum shall provide evidence of (1) well-defined instructional outcomes; (2) systematic planning by faculty; (3) selection and use of varied types of learning materials and experiences; and (4) use of viable evaluation instruments and procedures.

(b) General education. The general education component of associate and baccalaureate degree programs shall include a balanced distribution of required courses or restricted electives in the humanities, arts, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and social sciences comprising at least 25 percent of the minimum requirements for the degree and, by September 1987, at least 33 percent of the minimum requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as prescribed in subsection (e) of Section 10a-34-17 of these regulations. Institutions are encouraged to define and incorporate in all undergraduate degree programs a substantially larger general education component than is minimally required.

(c) Field work and research. Adequate provision shall be made for all required and optional laboratory and field work and student research arrangements. In determining the adequacy of such provisions, reference shall be made to the availability of appropriate facilities, equipment and materials, and qualified faculty or staff to supervise and evaluate student performance.

(d) Individualized programs. An individualized program is a program in which each student may design his or her own area of specialization, with guidance from an advisor. Any institution applying for approval of an individualized program shall develop a complete set of written policies and procedures to be used in designing each student program. Areas of specialization shall be limited to combinations of courses available from approved programs offered by the institution.

(e) General studies programs. General studies programs are intended to provide a flexible, interdisciplinary program of studies for students who do not desire a specific major. Such programs shall conform to the following requirements.

(1) General studies programs shall not be used to create other options or majors. There shall be a limit to the number of credits a student can take in any one field.

(2) There shall be a general education component, consistent with institution-wide policy.

(3) There shall be written institutional guidelines for the development of individual student programs that provide for a coherent program of study.

(4) There shall be a faculty advisor or committee responsible for assisting each student with the design of his/her program.

(5) There shall be a requirement that students take a minimum number of upper level course credits, consistent with institution-wide policy.

(6) There shall be written policies regarding acceptance of transfer credit and award of credit for experiential learning, consistent with institution-wide policy.

(Effective March 7, 1986)