Standard:
3.4.10
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.
Compliance Rating: Compliance
Statement of Compliance: The University of West Florida defines and publishes
general education and major program requirements for all its programs. These
requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for
undergraduate programs as well as graduate and postbaccalaureate professional
degree programs.
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reference document, place the cursor on the bracketed reference number and click the left mouse button.
Narrative:
Definition and Publication of General Education and
Major Program Requirements
The general education (titled General Studies at UWF) requirements and program
requirements for all degrees are defined and published annually in the University
Catalog [1]. The complete catalogs (1996 to present), along with comprehensive
indices, are available online [2]. Additionally, all undergraduate degree requirements,
including general education, are identified on the student’s Student Academic Support
System (SASS) degree audit for all undergraduate programs which may be retrieved
from COMPASS (Computerized Access to Student Services) [3] (Note: Effective
October 1, 2004, COMPASS will be discontinued and replaced by a new UWF Student
Portal called ARGUS (http://argus.uwf.edu.) and through the statewide FACTS (Florida
Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students) Web site [4]. While many
departments use the SASS degree audit, others have developed degree-planning
sheets. Virtually all departments rely on degree-planning sheets for graduate programs.
Requirements Conform to Commonly Accepted Standards and Practices
General Education
Commonly accepted standards and practices for general education programs are
defined in statute and rule by the State of Florida in that a common framework for
general education programs (including courses in communication, mathematics, social
sciences, humanities, and natural sciences) is established for all state-supported
institutions of higher education [5] (Florida Statutes 1007.25). This framework requires
that each state university and community college shall establish a general education
core curriculum, which shall require thirty-six (36) semester hours of college credit in the
liberal arts and sciences for students working toward a baccalaureate [6] (Florida
Administrative Code 6A-10.024(3)(a)).
The General Studies program at the University of West Florida is administered on a
day-to-day basis by the staff of the University Advising Center from whom students and
faculty may obtain individual counsel and guidance. Requests for substitution of
requirements are reviewed by the General Studies Committee. The charter and
composition of the General Studies Committee is available on-line; see [7] and [8].
Additionally, that Committee makes recommendations to the Academic Council of the
Faculty Senate concerning newly proposed and revised courses submitted through the
Curriculum Change Request process which may fulfill an aspect of the General Studies
program [9].
The following is an example of student notification: The University of West Florida
Catalog [10] specifies that General Studies requirements include six semester hours of
communication courses, specifically ENC1101 and ENC1102:
Communication (6 sh)
English Composition
ENC
1101
English Composition I
3
ENC
1102
English Composition II
3
Additionally, the SASS degree audit provides the same guidance to students:
COMMUNICATION: ENGLISH COMPOSITION - 6 SEM HRS
Additionally, general education (General Studies) information is addressed in the
responses to SACS Standards 2.7.3 and 3.2.14.
Major Undergraduate Program Requirements
The University utilizes several methods to ensure that major undergraduate program
requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices:
1. Many undergraduate programs are nationally accredited and subject to review by
the accrediting agency. A listing of those programs is available in the Catalog
[11].
2. All undergraduate programs are reviewed on a 5-year cycle. The review is
conducted as part of the national accreditation review if the program is nationally
accredited. Otherwise, a team, including three individuals with at least one
individual from outside UWF with expertise in the discipline of the program under
review, conducts the review. A further explanation of the review process and
cycle is available from the University Planning Information Center (UPIC) Web
site [12] [13].
3. All undergraduate programs comply with Florida Statutes (Chapter 1001.02(4))
which direct that a baccalaureate degree require no more than 120 semester
hours of college credit unless the Board of Governors has granted an exception
[14]. Currently there are exceptions for the following programs: Medical
Technology, Nursing, Teacher Education, and the UWF-UF Joint Engineering
Programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
4. The University complies with the Statewide Common Prerequisite Manual [15]
that identifies common lower division program prerequisites that are adhered to
by all state-supported universities in Florida in accordance with Florida Statute
1007.25(5) [16].
5. Requests for new programs are reviewed in accordance with the Procedures for
Academic Programs Inventory Updates [17].
6. Requests for revisions to current programs and specializations are done through
the Curriculum Change Request (CCR) Web site [18]. An online request is
submitted by the department chair, reviewed according to college governance
rules, and forwarded by the dean to the Academic Council (AC) of the Faculty
Senate. Following AC review, the request is forwarded to the full Faculty Senate
for approval and final approval by the Provost. The CCR process was developed
over a period of time as reflected in Faculty Senate minutes [19]. Changes to the
program and process must be approved by the Faculty Senate. A synopsis of
the process is available online [20].
The following is an example of student notification: The University of West Florida
Catalog states that at least 24 semester hours of upper-level work in the major field with
a minimum of 18 upper-level semester hours in the major field be earned at UWF. The
SASS degree audit is programmed to check this for each major and specialization:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NO
-
6 UPPER-LEVEL ART COURSES
1) 24 SEM HRS MINIMUM UPPER DIVISION ART COURSES
2) 18 SEM HRS MINIMUM UPPER DIVISION ART COURSES AT UWF
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undergraduate Program requirements are also addressed in SACS Standards 3.6.3
and 4.4.
Major Graduate Program Requirements
At the master’s level, UWF requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved course
work to complete any master’s program [21]. Requests for new programs are reviewed
in accordance with the Procedures for Academic Programs Inventory Updates [22]. The
University Board of Trustees must approve any new master’s, specialist, and doctoral
programs, and degrees beyond the master’s must also be approved by the Florida
Board of Governors [23] (Florida Statutes 1001.74(7))
UWF offers the doctor of education and educational specialist degrees in several areas
in the College of Professional Studies. Specialist degrees require completion of a
minimum of 36 semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Doctoral degrees
vary in the number of hours necessary to complete a specific degree program, but
require a minimum of 62 graduate semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree
and a dissertation (18 semester credit hours minimum) [24]. The Florida Board of
Governors Criteria for New Degree Program Authorization indicates that “The course of
study and credit hours required may be satisfied within a timeframe consistent with
similar programs” for professional and doctorate degrees [25]. As part of the curriculum
development and revision process, benchmarking program lengths for similar programs
at other institutions is completed. Catalogs and program descriptions from other
institutions are primary sources of this information. Additionally, college-level curriculum
standards developed by professional organizations are reviewed as part of the
benchmarking process. Individual units consider the benchmarking data relative to
UWF’s specific mission, faculty, resources, and student population. Specialist degrees
require completion of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours [26].
UWF has implemented processes to ensure that the program equivalency for each new
and existing program is documented, reviewed, and approved at several levels. The
proposal for a new program originates with the unit offering the new program, in the
form of a “Request to Explore” and the subsequent preparation of Curriculum Change
Requests (CCR) for the program or specialization and each of the courses included in
the curriculum for the proposed program [27]. Changes to an existing approved course
or the creation of a new course require submission of a CCR. These documents
contain, among several elements, the proposed number of semester hours required to
complete the program and required courses. Benchmarking data and other supporting
documentation can be included to demonstrate that the length of a new or existing
program/course is appropriate relative to UWF’s specific needs and student
populations. Requirements are initially determined by the unit and are then reviewed at
several levels before final approval from the Provost. New programs and program
deletions must be approved by the President and Board of Trustees. Requests to
implement or delete degree programs beyond the master’s degree also require approval
of the Board of Trustees and State Board of Governors.
General faculty oversight of graduate programs is provided by the Graduate Committee,
which reports directly to the Academic Council of the Faculty Senate and is advisory to
the Administration. It is charged with facilitating communication across both academic
and appropriate administrative units and for monitoring interdisciplinary graduate
program development. The Committee approves college- or department-developed
proposals for new graduate programs or changes to existing programs. The Committee
also approves college criteria for assigning faculty to teach graduate courses and
monitors the application of those criteria. The Committee also recommends approval for
college and departmental criteria developed for graduate programs. The Committee
Bylaws [28] and membership [29] are governed by the Faculty Senate.
SACS Standards 3.4.1(a) and 3.4.1(b) also address portions of this topic.
References:
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Title
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Compliance Certification On-line
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Catalog, UWF (2004-2005), Title
Catalogs, UWF, 1996-97 through
2004-205
Catalog, UWF (2004-2005), Title
Catalog, UWF (2003-2004),
Contents
Catalog, UWF (2002-2003), Title
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Catalog, UWF (1998-1999), Title
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COMPASS, Computerized Access
to Student Services, Web Site
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http://uwf.edu/catalog/cat1997/tit
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http://uwf.edu/catalog/cat1996/tit
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https://nautical.uwf.edu/compas
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(NOTE: Effective October 1, 2004,
COMPASS will be discontinued and
replaced by a new UWF Student Portal.)
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FACTS, Web Site, Florida's Official
Online Student Advising System
5
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Florida Statute (2003), 1007.25,
General Education Courses;
Common Prerequisites; and Other
Degree Requirements
http://www.facts.org/cgibin/eaglec?MDASTRAN=SWHMMNE00
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes
/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=
Ch1007/SEC25.HTM&Title=>2003->Ch1007>Section%2025
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Titles are hyperlinked to the version of
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Compliance Certification On-line
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Florida Administrative Code, 6A10.024, Articulation Between
Universities, Community Colleges,
and School Districts
General Studies Committee,
Charter
7
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General Studies Committee,
Membership
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Faculty Senate, Minutes, October
13, 1995 - Relative to General
Education
Catalog, UWF (2004-2005),
Academic Policies - General
Studies Requirements, p. 58
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Catalog, UWF (2004-2005),
Accreditations, p.10
Academic Program and Centers &
Institutes, Five Year Evaluation
Planning Cycles - (2000-2010)
Academic Program Reviews, FiveYear Review Plan, Procedures and
Guidelines for Academic Year
2003-2004, (Updated 09/29/03)
Florida Statue (2003), 1001.02,
General Powers of State Board of
Education
Florida Academic Counseling And
Tracking For Students (FACTS),
Common Prerequisites - Catalog
Year 2003-2004
Florida Statute (2003), 1007.25,
General Education Courses;
Common Prerequisites; and Other
Degree Requirements
Procedures for Academic
Programs Inventory Updates, (412-2002)
Curriculum Services, Web Site,
CCR Main Page
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Notes
http://fac.dos.state.fl.us/faconlin
e/chapter06.pdf
http://nautical1.uwf.edu/org/disp
data.cfm?UniqID=834&OrgUnitI
D=GENSTUDIES
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mbers/members.cfm?OrgUnitID
=GENSTUDIES
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data.cfm?Dated=1&UniqID=104
&OrgUnitID=FACSEN
http://nautical.uwf.edu/uwfsacsF
iles/library/Catalog,_UWF_(200
42005),_General_Studies,_pp,_5
8.mht
http://uwf.edu/catalog/accre.htm
http://upic.uwf.edu/pubs/Files/Fi
ve_Year_Plan_2000.2010_Cycl
es_(cdw).xls
http://upic.uwf.edu/pubs/Files/G
uidelines Procedures 20032004(CAB-cdw) 9-29-03.doc
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes
/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=
Ch1001/SEC02.HTM&Title=>2003->Ch1001->Se
http://www.facts.org/PreCoreqNL/PreCoreq2003/index2.html
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes
/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=
Ch1007/SEC25.HTM&Title=>2003->Ch1007>Section%2025
http://nautical.uwf.edu/UnitApp/
Publication/Pub.cfm?PubFormat
ID=534
http://ccr.enroll.uwf.edu/ccr/
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Titles are hyperlinked to the version of
document archived in UWF SACS
Compliance Certification On-line
Library
Faculty Senate, Minutes Pertaining
to Development of CCR Process
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 93,
March 8, 1996 (Development of
CCR Flow Chart Post Mainframe)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 115,
March 13, 1998 (CCR Office
Moved to Enrollment Services)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 116,
April 10, 1998 (Electronic Process
Implemented)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 121,
October 9, 1998 (Expedited
Process)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 126,
April 23, 1999 (Process
Refinement)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 129,
July 9, 1999 (Process Refinement
- College Level Review)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 131,
October 8, 1999 (Expedited CCR
Process)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 135,
February 11, 2000 (Submission
Deadlines)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 141,
September 8, 2000 (Submission
Deadlines)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 138,
May 12, 2000 (Effective Semester
for CCRs)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 150,
June 8, 2001 (Revision to Syllabus
Fields)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 151,
July 13, 2001 (Summer Break in
Expedited Process Timing)
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 158,
April 12, 2002 (Addition of
Multicultural Requirement
Processing)
Curriculum Change Request
(CCR), Help Screen
Catalog, UWF (2004-2005),
Graduation and General Degree
Requirements - Master’s Degree
Requirements, pp. 74-75
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http://ccr.enroll.uwf.edu/ccr/help/
main.cfm
http://uwf.edu/catalog/degreqma
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Notes
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Florida Board of Governors,
Criteria for New Degree
Authorization, Readiness
Catalog, UWF (2004-2005),
Graduation and General Degree
Requirements - Doctor of
Education Degree Requirements,
pp. 75-76
Catalog, UWF( 2004-2005),
Graduation and General Degree
Requirements - Specialist Degree
Requirements, p. 229
Faculty Senate, Minutes No. 93,
March 8, 1996 (Development of
CCR Flow Chart Post Mainframe)
Graduate Committee, Charter
29
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Graduate Committee, Membership
Procedures for Academic
Programs Inventory Updates, (412-2002)
Florida Statute (2003), 1001.74,
Powers and Duties of University
Boards of Trustees
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http://nautical.uwf.edu/UnitApp/
Publication/Pub.cfm?PubFormat
ID=534
http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/
index.cfm?App_mode=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=
Ch1001/SEC74.HTM&Title=>2003->Ch1001->Se
http://www.fldoe.org/BOG/meeti
ngs/2003_04_30/NewDegreeSu
mmCriteria.pdf
http://uwf.edu/catalog/degreqdo
c.htm
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http://uwf.edu/catalog/degreqsp
e.htm
http://nautical1.uwf.edu/org/disp
data.cfm?Dated=1&UniqID=458
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D=GRADUATE
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mbers/members.cfm?OrgUnitID
=GRADUATE
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