Norfolk State University

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NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

SACS REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION

TEAM 1: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: SELECTED REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

Adapted from the SACS Principles of Accreditation, SACS Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, 2004/2005 Cohorts’ Compliance Certification Reports

August 2005

Core Requirements (CR), Comprehensive Standards (CS), and Federal Requirements (FR) / Supporting Documents / Narrative / Justification / Examples of specific supporting and reference documents and websites
CR 2.7.1 / Institution offers one or 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. / ·  Catalog
·  List of degree programs with number of hours required for each
·  / ·  A description of the system
·  A rationale that justifies equivalency if the institution uses a system that differs from the credit hour system of 60, 120, or 30 / ·  Catalog
·  Requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees
·  Data from peer programs in other institutions
·  Credit transfer policies
·  Consortia agreements
·  Curriculum Committee
·  Curriculum Management Manual
CR 2.7.2 / The institution 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. / ·  Catalog
·  Program Accreditation Reports (if applicable)
·  Other documents containing program goals and outcomes (recruitment materials) / ·  Rationale concerning the appropriateness of requirements in the program
·  Demonstration / justification of program coherence
·  Rationale concerning compatibility of the program with stated goals and outcomes / ·  Catalog
·  Board of Trustees Manual- Establishing New Programs
·  State Guidelines – Establishing New Programs
·  Curriculum Committee
·  Curriculum Management Manual
·  Program Review Guidelines and Reports
·  Program Curriculum Maps
·  Program descriptions in peer institutions
·  Admissions website and publications
·  Program websites
·  Program recruitment materials
CR 2.7.3 / Institution requires in each undergraduate degree program the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is 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. / ·  Catalog
·  List of program requirements with general education requirements for each major or concentration (if there is not a common core requirement) / ·  Description of and rationale for the general education program
·  A justification that demonstrates how the general education program is equivalent if the institution uses a system that differs from the credit hour system / ·  Catalog
·  Admissions and Degree requirements
·  Curriculum Committee
·  Curriculum Management Manual
·  General Education Committee (policy, minutes, actions, etc.)
·  General Education course requirements
·  General education requirements for all degree programs
·  General education assessment plan and reports
·  Articulation agreements
·  Guide for Transfer Students
·  Virginia Community College Evaluations
·  Admissions website and publications
·  Program websites
·  Program recruitment materials
·  New Student and Transfer Student Orientations
·  University 101
CR 2.7.4 / Institution provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which it 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. / ·  Copes of contracts and consortia agreements
·  Description of coursework provided by other organizations or institutions / ·  Evidence of internal control over the quality of instruction provided by another organization or institution / ·  Catalog
·  Transfer of credit
·  Academic Advising Manual
·  Guide for transfer students
·  Transfer Student Orientation
·  Articulation agreements
·  Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education
·  Admissions website and publications
C3.4.2 / The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission. / ·  List of departmental continuing education, outreach, and service programs (if applicable) / ·  Evidence that programs are consistent with the institution’s mission (if applicable) / ·  University mission statement
·  University Strategic Plan
·  University outreach office mission statement and activities
·  Mission statements and goals of departmental continuing education, outreach, and service programs (if applicable)
CS3.4.3 / The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. / ·  Copy of program admissions policies
·  Program recruitment materials (brochures, website, etc) / ·  Evidence that policies are consistent with the institution’s mission / ·  University mission statement
·  University Strategic Plan
·  University Enrollment Management Plan
·  Catalog
·  Program admissions requirements
·  Guide for transfer students
·  Admissions website and publications
·  Program websites
·  Program recruitment materials
·  New and transfer Student Orientations
CS3.4.4 / The institution has a defined and published policy for evaluating, awarding, and accepting credit for transfer, experiential learning, advanced placement, and professional certificates that is consistent with its mission and ensures that course work and learning outcomes are at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s own degree programs. / ·  Catalog and other policies describing transfer credit policies
·  Copies of articulation or transfer agreements with other institutions or organizations / ·  Description of how the institution ensures that course work and learning outcomes are at the collegiate level
·  Demonstration of comparability to the institution’s own degree programs
·  Description of the process by which decisions are made on acceptance and awarding of credit from other institutions or organizations
·  Description of the process for awarding experiential credit
·  Description of transfer arrangements, articulation agreements, contacts, consortia, study abroad programs, etc. with other institutions or organizations / ·  Catalog
·  State Policy on College Transfer
·  Policy on AP, CLEP, credits
·  Articulation agreements
·  Guide for transfer students
·  Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education
·  Admissions website and publications
·  Curriculum Management manual
·  Program websites
·  Program recruitment materials
·  Transfer Student Orientation
CS3.4.5 / The institution publishes academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other interested parties through publications that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution. / ·  Program academic policies (if applicable)
·  Program website / ·  Evidence that program academic policies adhere to principles of good educational practice (if applicable)
·  Evidence that institutional and program academic policies are disseminated to program faculty, students, and staff / ·  Catalog
·  Schedule Book
·  Student Handbook
·  Faculty Manual
·  Curriculum Management Manual
·  Academic Advising Manual
·  Academic Affairs website: Policies
·  Program websites
·  Syllabus format
·  New and Transfer Student Orientations
·  University 101
CS3.4.6 / The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery. / ·  Catalog
·  Policies for determining amount and level of credit awarded for courses / ·  Evidence that policies and practices for awarding credit are sound and acceptable / ·  See CR 2.7.4 and CS3.4.4
·  Curriculum Committee
CS3.4.7 / The institution ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered through consortia relationships or contractual agreements, ensures ongoing compliance with the comprehensive requirements, and evaluates the consortial relationship and/or agreement against the purpose of the institution. / ·  Copy of contracts or consortial agreements with other organizations or institutions for conducting credit instruction for your institution / ·  Evidence that the institution monitors the quality of consortial and contractual agreements / ·  See CR 2.7.4
CS3.4.8 / The institution awards academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit basis only when there is documentation that the noncredit course work is equivalent to a designated credit experience. / ·  Copy of policies concerning awarding credit for course work taken on a non-credit basis / ·  Explanation of the processes for determining that non-credit course work is equivalent to a designated credit experience / ·  ACE – College Credit Recommendation Service
·  See CS 3.4.4
CS3.4.9
(also applies to Team 5) / The institution provides appropriate academic support services. / ·  List of academic support services (tutoring, workshops, major clubs, etc.) provided by the program (if applicable) / ·  Evidence that services are appropriate and adequate to fulfill the needs of students (if applicable) / ·  Academic Advising Manual
·  School and program tutorial programs
·  Program disciplinary clubs
·  First-Year Experience programs and services
·  Honors program
·  Service Learning program
·  Global Education
·  E-Learning
·  List of student computer labs and software available
·  ResNet
CS3.4.10 / The institution defines and publishes general education requirements for its undergraduate programs and major program requirements for all its programs. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. / ·  Documents describing general education and major requirement for the program (catalog, recruitment materials, program brochures)
·  Program website / ·  Evidence that program requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices
·  Evidence that institutional and program requirements are disseminated to program faculty, students, and staff / ·  Catalog
·  Student Handbook
·  Faculty Manual
·  Academic Advising Manual
·  Curriculum Management Manual
·  Practices in peer institutions
·  See CR 2.7.3
CS3.4.11
(also applies to Team 4) / The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student academic records and maintains special security measures to protect and back up data. / ·  Documents that describe policies designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of student academic records
·  Documents that describe policies governing special security measures to protect and back up data / ·  Evidence that the institution and programs ensure security, confidentiality of student academic records / ·  FERPA
·  University’s policy on the privacy of student records
·  Documentation of the policy on the privacy of student records in the Catalog and Student Handbook
·  Policy on maintenance and retention of student educational and financial records
·  Schedule of Retention and Disposal of Student records
·  Registrar’s office
·  IT Disaster Recover y Plan
CS3.4.12
(also applies to Team 2) / The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty. / ·  Appropriate policies, manuals describing curriculum approval and review procedures
·  Program meeting minutes related to the curricular issues / ·  Evidence that program faculty members participate in curriculum development, review and enhancement processes / ·  Board of Trustees manual – Establishing new programs
·  Faculty Senate
·  Faculty Handbook (curriculum)
·  Curriculum Management Manual
·  Curriculum Committee
·  Assessment and Program Review Reports
CS3.4.13
(also applies to Team 2) / For each major in a degree program, the institution assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review, to persons academically qualified in the field. In those degree programs for which the institution does not identify a major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or concentration. / ·  List of persons responsible for program coordination of each degree program as well as curriculum development and review
·  Qualifications of each person listed (from faculty roster) / ·  Justifications concerning academic qualifications as necessary / ·  Faculty Handbook (curriculum)
·  Program coordinators Roster
·  Program coordinators Qualifications Matrix
·  Qualifications of program coordinators in peer programs
CS3.4.14
(also applies to Team 5) / The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology. / ·  List of technology equipment used by the program to facilitate student learning
·  Documents which contain policies and procedures for the use of technology to enhance student learning / ·  Evidence that students have access to technology and necessary training
·  Evidence that use of technology is appropriate and effective / ·  University Instructional Technologies group
·  WebCT faculty and student training schedules
·  List and links to department technology-enhanced and web-based services, programs and courses
·  Student and faculty personal webpages
·  Information Technology Literacy assessment results
CS3.5.1
(also applies to Team 6) / The institution identifies college-level competencies within the general education core and provides evidence that graduates have attained those competencies / ·  Documents identifying college-level competencies within the general education requirements
·  Documents identifying methods of assessment by the institution / ·  Evidence of achievement of college-level competencies that are expected of students who complete the general education requirements / ·  See CR 2.7.3
·  Syllabus of GE courses
·  GE Assessment plan and reports
·  Freshman Seminar assessment
·  Placement policies
CS3.5.2 / The institution awards degrees only to those students who have earned at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by that institution. (See Commission policy “The Transfer or Transcripting of Academic Credit.”) / ·  Catalog