| Program length is appropriate for each of the institution’s educational programs. |
Judgment of Compliance
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Narrative
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has developed and maintains curricula for each of its educational programs, regardless of modality, that are appropriate in length and content. All undergraduate programs at SHSU require a minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH) [1] as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in the “Standards for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program” [2] and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Comprehensive Standard 2.7.1 [3]. All graduate programs at SHSU require at least 30 SCHs as required by SACSCOC Comprehensive Standard 2.7.1 [3]. SHSU does not offer any associate degrees. All program lengths are expressed in SCHs. New programs are proposed via a white paper [4] and full degree program proposal [5], [6] at the departmental level; they are reviewed by the departmental curriculum committee, college curriculum committee, and university curriculum committee prior to submission to the Academic Affairs Council, the Provost, the President, the Board of Regents of The Texas State University System, and the THECB, as outlined in Core Requirement 4.2. The degree program proposals submitted in the annual curriculum cycle require a justification for the length of the program. Although no degree programs may contain fewer than the minimum university, THECB, or SACSCOC standards, the curriculum process allows faculty members to present compelling reasons for longer programs.
The faculty in each discipline develop the curricular requirements for degree programs offered at SHSU. These curricular requirements are reviewed internally, with accompanying recommendations for approval by departmental, college, and university curriculum committees; the Academic Affairs Council; the Provost; and the President. Proposals are then reviewed externally for approval or denial by The Texas State University System Board of Regents and the THECB. Both online and face-to-face degree programs are subject to the same curricular review and approval process. Online degree programs, however, are subject to addition internal review by SHSU Online, a unit to support students, faculty, and staff in distance education and learning technologies, and external review by the THECB’s Learning Technology Advisory Committee (LTAC). The THECB’s approval ensures the use of commonly accepted standards and practices for each reviewed degree program. The THECB, in its review, demands that the curriculum be up-to-date and consistent with current academic theory and delivered by faculty deemed qualified to deliver that program [7], [8].
Undergraduate Programs
All baccalaureate degree programs consist of general education requirements, as well as requirements related to specific degree, major, and minor components. The THECB has specific guidelines for general education to include length [9]. The university, with approval by the Texas State University System and in compliance with THECB and SACSCOC standards, dictates degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.), major, and minor semester credit hour requirements.
In its January 2009 report to the THECB, Designing Texas Undergraduate Education in the 21st Century, the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee (UEAC) suggested that the statewide general education core curriculum be reconsidered [10]. Following a comprehensive review and report of the UEAC, the THECB staff proposed core revisions that took into account many of the UEAC's recommendations. In October 2011, the THECB approved a revised core curriculum, encompassing 42 SCHs, which was implemented in fall 2014.
In 2012 and 2013, the university acted upon the recommendations of UEAC and the THECB for revising the university’s core curriculum. Following the recommended procedures and timeline, the university was charged with establishing a 42-SCH core curriculum encompassing eight component areas (Communication; Mathematics; Life and Physical Sciences; Language, Philosophy and Culture; Creative Arts; American History; Government/Political Science; and Social and Behavioral Science), with six SCHs designated and defined by the university [9]. Effective with the fall 2008 semester, the Texas Legislature mandated that all baccalaureate degree programs may not require “more than the minimum number of SCHs required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools . . . . " unless there is a compelling reason (e.g., hours required for accreditation, standards of the discipline, etc.) [11]. If a degree program requires more than 120 hours, a “compelling reason” and trends within disciplines or accrediting agencies are provided to justify the hours in excess of 120. The Undergraduate Catalog details the requirements for each undergraduate degree program [12].
As of the fall 2014 semester, SHSU offers more than 80 undergraduate degree programs. The minimum SCHs for these degree programs range from 120 to 138. Of the 80 degree programs, 7 require more than 120 SCHs.
Table 1. Baccalaureate Programs Requiring More than 120 Semester Hours
Degree |
Major |
Hours |
Rationale |
BS |
Design and Development |
123 |
Similar to Other Programs |
BA |
Family and Consumer Science, Interior Design |
122 |
Accreditation Requirements |
BS |
Forensic Chemistry |
128 |
Optional Focus |
BM |
Music Therapy |
133 |
Accreditation Requirements |
BFA |
Musical Theater |
138 |
Optional Focus |
BSN |
Nursing |
121 |
Accreditation Requirements |
BS |
Electronics in Computer Engineering Technology |
123 |
Accreditation Requirements |
Graduate Programs
SHSU offers 57 master’s level degree programs [13] and 8 doctoral degrees [14]. All graduate degree programs at SHSU require at least 30 SCHs. The university’s general graduate degree requirements and academic guidelines are available in the Graduate Catalog [15]. The Graduate Catalog details the courses required for each program.
The published standards follow the guidelines of the THECB and standard practice for such academic programs as determined by external accrediting agencies [16], [17]. The approval process through the THECB ensures that all approved programs conform to commonly accepted standards and practices. All graduate programs also undergo a self-study to aid in identifying areas that might need to be addressed and to continue to assure that the programs are providing the students with a quality degree at the appropriate number of SCHs.
At the master’s level, most programs require between 30 and 36 hours. Those programs that require more than 36 hours need to justify the extra hours based on the norms of their disciplines. For example, most programs requiring an internship will exceed the 36-hour norm. Additionally, accreditation requirements might also demand additional hours. For example, the master’s degree in school psychology requires 60 SCHs; however, these requirements are consistent with national accrediting standards as dictated by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the National Association of School Psychologists. Similarly, most Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs contain between 48 and 60 SCHs. Again, this is consistent with national standards.
At the master’s level, 38 of 57 degree programs fall within the 30- to 36-SCH range. The following 12 programs exceed 36 hours:
Table 2. Masters Programs Requiring More than 36 Semester Hours
Program |
Hours |
Agriculture, MS |
37 |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA |
60 |
Counseling, MED |
48 |
Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing, MFA |
48 |
Dance, MFA |
60 |
Dietetics, MS |
37 |
Family and Consumer Science, MS |
37 |
Forensic Science, MS |
44 |
Psychology—Clinical, MA |
45 |
School Counseling, MED |
48 |
School Psychology, SSP |
60 |
Statistics, MS |
37 |
Doctoral programs at SHSU range in length from 58 to 108 SCHs beyond the master’s degree. The THECB does not fund any doctoral program hours beyond 99 SCHs unless special approval is granted. Some doctoral programs, such as Clinical Psychology, are granted funding exemptions because of the practicum and internship demands of the discipline and the demands of the discipline’s accrediting agencies. As part of the justification for exemption, the department must demonstrate that the requirements are consistent with educational norms of the discipline.
The following eight doctoral programs range from 58 to 108 SCHs beyond the master’s degree:
Program |
Hours Beyond Masters |
Clinical Psychology, PhD |
108 |
Counselor Education, PhD |
69 |
Criminal Justice, PhD |
58 |
Developmental Education Administration, EdD |
60 |
Educational Leadership, EdD |
60 |
Literacy, EdD |
60 |
Instructional Technology, EdD |
60 |
Forensic Science, PhD |
86 |
Supporting Documentation