Factor Current Process Recommended Changes Benefits Programs Supply/Demand Supply and labor market Recommend following The BAS Prof/Tech Data demand information is established Applied supply/demand I-BEST required. However, there is Baccalaureate degree criteria is well-vetted no guidance on what type of criteria for supply and and stipulates the data is required or demand data. kinds of evidence tools/resources for providing required for specific evidence of need. Guidelines will add links to circumstances free tools and contact (established information for regional occupations vs. Employment Security Dept. emerging occupations. economists. Program Credits Total number of credits are Recommend colleges add Program cost and Acad.Trans. listed on approval form additional information if length for students Prof/Tech certificates or degrees have been considered. BAS certs. exceed a specific credit threshold. Rationale for additional credits Certificates over 75 credits outside the typical Degrees over 110 credits range can be would require rationale. documented. Program The structure of the program, Recommend a schematic or A schematic diagram All programs Pathway including options, certificates, flow chart diagram be used of a program pathway entry and exit points, and to show the structure of the is clearer and simpler award types is provided in a program. to follow than a free-flowing narrative. narrative. A template with instructions on how to build the diagram The same diagram will be provided. Examples could be used in and links to technical college publications assistance will be included about the program. in guidance. Clinical and If applicable, an initial If applicable, the college Concerns about Prof/Tech Work-based assessment of opportunities must state if the placements placements are Learning for work-based are addressed at the Placements learning/clinical sites must be Required by an beginning of the documented. accrediting or certifying approval process. body. Required by the college. Reduces objections by Optional for students. colleges offering similar programs that It required, the college must also require student provide the number of placements. annual placements needed by the proposed program and provide letters of agreement from all placement employers.
Factor Current Process Recommended Changes Benefits Programs Supply/Demand Data Supply and labor market demand information is required. However, there is no guidance on what type of data is required or tools/resources for providing evidence of need. Recommend following established Applied Baccalaureate degree criteria for supply and demand data. Guidelines will add links to free tools and contact information for regional Employment Security Dept. economists. The BAS supply/demand criteria is well-vetted and stipulates the kinds of evidence required for specific circumstances (established occupations vs. emerging occupations. Prof/Tech I-BEST Program Credits Total number of credits are listed on approval form Recommend colleges add additional information if certificates or degrees exceed a specific credit threshold. Certificates over 75 credits Degrees over 110 credits would require rationale. Program cost and length for students have been considered. Rationale for additional credits outside the typical range can be documented. Acad.Trans. Prof/Tech BAS certs. Program Pathway The structure of the program, including options, certificates, entry and exit points, and award types is provided in a free-flowing narrative. Recommend a schematic or flow chart diagram be used to show the structure of the program. A template with instructions on how to build the diagram will be provided. Examples and links to technical assistance will be included in guidance. A schematic diagram of a program pathway is clearer and simpler to follow than a narrative. The same diagram could be used in college publications about the program. All programs Clinical and Work-based Learning Placements If applicable, an initial assessment of opportunities for work-based learning/clinical sites must be documented. If applicable, the college must state if the placements are Required by an accrediting or certifying body. Required by the college. Optional for students. It required, the college must provide the number of annual placements needed by the proposed program and provide letters of agreement from all placement employers. Concerns about placements are addressed at the beginning of the approval process. Reduces objections by colleges offering similar programs that also require student placements. Prof/Tech
program-appr-draft-recommendations.docx