The Academic Programs & Support Committee is one of seven committees that will assist NKU in conducting the self-studies necessary to prepare its Compliance Certification as part of the SACS reaffirmation process. Each of these committees has been assigned a different set of Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and Federal Requirements on which to focus its attention.

 
All seven compliance committees will do the bulk of their work during the 2007-08 academic year. Their goal is to have all their analyses finished by the end of spring 2008 so final editing of the Compliance Certification can be completed during summer 2008 and it can be submitted to SACS in early September.

Dr. Kevin Corcoran, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, is chairing the Academic Programs & Support Committee. He can be contacted by phone at extension 5495 or by email at corcorank1@nku.edu. Additional members of this committee will added to this posting after they are confirmed.

 
This committee will address the university's compliance with the following SACS requirements and standards:

SACS Core Requirements

2.6	The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.
2.7.1	The 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.
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.
2.7.3	The institution requires in each undergraduate degree program the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that is (1) 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 particular occupation or profession. The institution provides a written justification and rationale for course equivalency. (2005 revision)
2.7.4	The institution provides instruction for all coursework 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 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. (2005 revision)
2.9	The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and faculty access and user privileges to adequate library collections and services and to other learning/ information resources consistent with the degrees offered. Collections, resources, and services are sufficient to support all its educational, research, and public service programs. (2007 revision)

SACS Comprehensive Standards

3.4.1	The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is approved by the faculty and the administration. (2007 revision)
3.4.2	The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission.
3.4.3	The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission.
3.4.4	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. The institution assumes responsibility for the academic quality of any coursework or credit recorded on the institution’s transcript.
3.4.5	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.
3.4.6	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.
3.4.7	The institution ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered through consortial relationships or contractual agreements, ensures ongoing compliance with the comprehensive requirements, and evaluates the agreement against the purpose of the institution.
3.4.8	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.
3.4.9	The institution provides appropriate academic support services.
3.4.10	The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of the curriculum with its faculty.
3.4.11	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.
3.4.12	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.
3.5.2	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.
3.5.3	The institution defines and publishes requirements for its undergraduate programs, including its general education components. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (2007 revision)
3.6.1	The institution’s post-baccalaureate professional degree programs, and its master’s and doctoral degree programs are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs.
3.6.2	The institution structures its graduate curricula (1) to include knowledge of the literature of the discipline and (2) to ensure ongoing student engagement in research and/or appropriate professional practice and training experiences. (2007 revision)
3.6.3	The majority of credits toward a graduate or a post-baccalaureate professional degree are earned through the institution awarding the degree. In the case of graduate and post-baccalaureate professional degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortial arrangements, the student earns a majority of credits from the participating institutions.
3.6.4	The institution defines and publishes requirements for its graduate and post-baccalaureate professional programs. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (2007 revision)
3.8.1	The institution provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission. (2007 revision)
3.8.2	The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning and information resources.
3.8.3	The institution provides a sufficient number of qualified staff — with appropriate education or experiences both in library or other learning resources — to accomplish the mission of the institution.

Federal Requirements

4.2	The institution maintains a curriculum that is directly related and appropriate to the purpose and goals of the institution and the diplomas, certificates or degrees awarded.
4.4	Program length is appropriate for each of the institution’s educational programs. (2007 revision)