3.5.3 Undergraduate Program Requirements

The institution defines and publishes requirements for its undergraduate programs and major programs, including its general education components. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs.

Compliance           ___  Partial Compliance          ___  Non-Compliance

Narrative:

The College’s general education requirements and philosophy of general education are presented in the Catalog, which provides program requirements for each major department. (1) South Louisiana Community College’s (SLCC) program requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs according to the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education (BoR).

SLCC is authorized by the BoR to offer nine associate degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours. The courses are sequenced so that full-time students may complete the degrees in four academic semesters.  The chart below summarizes the degree programs offered at SLCC and the total credit hours required for degree completion.

Each of the nine degree programs offered at SLCC embodies a coherent course of study that is compatible with its purpose and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.  The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, the Associate of Arts Louisiana Transfer, the Associate of Science/Louisiana Transfer, the Associate of Science in Teaching, the Associate of General Studies, and the Associate of Science in Industrial Technology are designed primarily as transfer programs.  The Associate of Arts in Care and Development of Young Children, the Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic, and the Associate of Science in General Business are designed primarily to prepare students to enter the workforce upon completion of their degree.

Curriculum Structure
The academic programs are comprised of general education courses, courses in the major or concentration, and electives that can be used to enhance or expand the major.  The general education requirements represent a conviction on the part of the faculty that all students need to:

• reason logically
• solve problems
• communicate effectively,
• relate to the world and the people in it
• foster an appreciation of the arts and humanities,
• encourage insight into the social and behavioral sciences
• provide a basic understanding of mathematical and scientific principles. 

The realistic expectations of a general education program are to empower the student with a reliable set of skills and understanding that move a lifelong learner forward in academia or the workforce. 

The courses in the major vary by degree program.  The curriculum structure for each program is outlined below:

A detailed description of each degree program and the expected learning outcomes is presented in the Catalog.  Program brochures (2) are available for each degree program detailing the curriculum.  Before the Catalog or program brochures are published, appropriate faculty review and sign-off on the Publication Review Form. (3)  Students are encouraged to meet with Program Coordinators for more information regarding a program.

In order to determine which course work is included in general education requirements and in the major requirements, BoR policies are reviewed.  Additionally, through Program Advisory Committees (4) those working in the professional fields are invited to provide input for course and program changes.

Faculty design programs based on input from Program Advisory Committees and educational trends.  The Program Coordinators and Department Chairs assess the programs through the unit plans and program student learning outcomes. (5)

Documentation: