| The 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 does not provide instruction for all such course work and (1) makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia or (2) uses some other alternative approach to meeting this requirement, the alternative approach must be approved by the Commission on Colleges. In both cases, the institution demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program. (See Commission policy “Core Requirement 2.7.4: Documenting an Alternate Approach.”) (Course work for Degrees) |
Judgment of Compliance
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Narrative
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers at least one degree program at each level (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate) for which a degree is awarded and provides instruction for all course work for these degrees. In all cases, Sam Houston State University controls all aspects of its educational programs.
Instructional Offerings
Sam Houston State University offers the degree programs outlined in the SHSU Degree Inventory [1]. The undergraduate and graduate catalogs contain degree requirements and degree plans that demonstrate compliance. An illustration of the University's compliance is demonstrated through syllabi [2] [3] [4], catalog descriptions of classes [5] [6] [7], and degree program requirements [8] [9] [10] for one bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance), one master’s degree (Masters of Business Administration Five-Year Accounting Program), and one doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology). Sam Houston State University provides instruction for all courses required in the degrees. All of the courses in these programs were taught by SHSU at least once in the past two years [11]. Each semester the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs releases a report illustrating that instruction for the courses was provided and students were enrolled [12]. All faculty who teach classes at Sam Houston State University for the degree programs have been officially credentialed as evidenced by Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1.
Program Control
In accordance with state requirements and guidelines from The Texas State University System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and, where appropriate, accrediting agencies such as NCATE, SACS, and ABET, Sam Houston State University evaluates each program as outlined in Core Requirement 2.7.2, and Comprehensive Standards 3.3.1, and 3.5.1. Faculty in each discipline design, implement, and review all aspects of the curriculum. The University‘s curriculum review process, described in the Faculty Handbook [13] and initiated by a letter from the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs to the academic deans [14], includes an annual review of courses by departmental committees. Each departmental committee makes recommendations for new courses and degree programs to their respective college curriculum committee and dean. For new programs and substantive changes to degree programs, the University follows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Policies and Procedures Manual [15]. The college curriculum committees submit the new courses and degree programs to the University Curriculum Committee for review [16]. Finally the new courses and degrees are submitted to the Provost and the Academic Affairs Council for endorsement before submission to the President, The Texas State University System’s Board of Regents, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
In addition, all departments assess their degree programs using Learning Outcomes recorded in the OATDB, and each program makes changes based on the findings. Thus, all degree programs are evaluated annually and continually improved.
The Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center offers academic advising and enrichment services for all undergraduate students, and graduate students are advised by their respective graduate advisor. The Director of Undergraduate Admissions coordinates the admission review process for freshman and transfer students. The Academic Affairs Council (AAC), composed of all department chairs; deans; associate deans; associate vice presidents; coordinators; chair of the University Faculty Senate; chair of the Student Government Association; directors of the library, SAM Center, Honors Program, Undergraduate Admissions, and Institutional Research; the Registrar; and the Provost, oversees academic issues and programs, reviewing academic policy and curriculum [17].
At the graduate level, the Office of Graduate Studies coordinates all graduate education across the five colleges. Admission Committees in the academic units, Deans of the appropriate academic college, and the Dean of Graduate Studies manage the review of graduate program applicants and the awarding of assistantships. Faculty members control all aspects of the academic process and the supervision of independent research. The Graduate Council advises the Dean of Graduate Studies on all aspects of graduate education, including review of faculty for Graduate Faculty Status, preparation of the Graduate Catalog, and review of policies [18]. As part of the full evaluation process, undergraduate and graduate courses are evaluated by students using the IDEA system [19].
Thus, Sam Houston State University controls all aspects of its educational programs and ensures this through periodic review.
Supporting Documentation