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Federal Requirement 4.2

The institution’s curriculum is directly related and appropriate to the purpose and goals of the institution and the diplomas, certificates, or degrees awarded. (Program curriculum)

Narrative:

Lawson State Community College maintains curricula that relates directly to and are appropriate to the College’s purpose. The stated mission of the College is that it is “a comprehensive, public, two-year, multi-campus college, which seeks to provide accessible quality educational opportunities, promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life for people in its service area. The College is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities in order to prepare students for employment or career advancement, enable students to transfer to senior colleges and universities, and provide customized training needs for business and industry.”

The College has eight institution-wide goals, various associated indicators and five institution-wide student learner outcomes (Mission, goals and student learner outcomes) (Goals / Indicators) to support its mission. The College’s first goal and indicator directly relates to the curriculum. The stated goal is “to develop an exemplary and world class instructional program.” The stated strategic indicator is curriculum enhancements that will occur to facilitate an exemplary and world class instructional program.

The College is authorized by the Alabama State Board of Education to offer associate degrees, diplomas and certificates (Policy 712.01). It also offers developmental education, adult education, distance learning, workforce development, lifelong learning, customized training, comprehensive student support services, and personal and cultural enrichment.

In support of its mission, the College offers programs (Degree Offering Samples) of study leading to the Associate in Arts (Sample Program for English) and the Associate in Science (Sample Program for Biology) degrees for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after completing a full two-year program of study. The Associate in Applied Science (Sample Program for Early Childhood) and the Associate of Occupational Technology (Commercial Art) (Air Conditioning) degrees, and certificate programs (Barbering) are designed for students who plan to seek employment based upon the competencies and skills attained through those programs of study. While not designed to meet the needs of students who transfer to senior institutions, portions of these programs may do so. Curricula for diploma, certificate, and degree programs are reviewed by the Alabama Commission of Higher Education, the Alabama State Board of Education, the Alabama College System, and the institution. Programs are reviewed to ensure direct and appropriate relationship to the institutional mission and goals.

Lawson State Community College participates in the Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (STARS) which is an online database system which provides guidance and direction for prospective transfer students in the State of Alabama. The STARS System allows public two-year students in Alabama to obtain a Transfer Guide/Agreement for the major of their choice. This guide/agreement, if used correctly, guides the student through their first two years of coursework and prevents loss of credit hours upon transfer to the appropriate public four-year university in Alabama. Although transfer guides/agreements can only be printed for two-year to four-year transfers, the STARS system can still provide guidance and direction to transfer students who have a different transfer situation. The Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC) is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the STARS System. The information that students receive from the STARS System has been approved by the AGSC.

Alabama Community Colleges propose new degree programs by making application to the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education (Policy 702.01) and in turn seeking approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ISPA.pdf). This procedure requires colleges to define the program content and objectives, describe the curriculum design, resource allocation, method of program delivery, subsequent review and assessment, employer need, student demand, program justification, resources, accreditation and certifications. The College’s process for curriculum establishment, review, and evaluation is initiated at the departmental level. The faculty and department chairperson will indicate a need for a new program and or change in a current establish curriculum. This decision is based on academic needs of the student to pursue a terminal degree and or enter into the job market.

Assessment of programs is a vital component of and good practice in higher education. Lawson State Community College’s institutional effectiveness process includes specific programmatic missions and goals for each degree, diploma, and certificate program offered at the College. Annually, faculty and staff support the mission of the college by developing goals for curricular, updating departmental unit plans and administrative areas (Unit Plan Template). These goals are reviewed each year as a part of the Planning and Evaluation Process and are documented in the Planning Hearing Notebooks and WEAVE online. Employers are surveyed concerning the skills of graduates and Advisory Committees (Advisory Committee Minutes) are involved in the evaluative process concerning program relevance. Minutes of committee meetings as well as other types of meetings are maintained throughout the campus to document to that Lawson State Community College’s curriculum is directly related and appropriate to the purpose and goals of the institution and the diplomas, certificates, or degrees awarded.

Documentation:

Documentation	Location
LSCC mission, goals, outcomes	(Mission, goals and student learner outcomes) (Goals / Indicators)
Alabama State Board of Education Policy 712.01 Awards and Degrees	(Policy 712.01)
LSCC degree offerings	(Degree Offering Samples)
Associate in Arts Degree sample program from English	(Sample Program for English)
Associate in Science Degree sample program from Biology	(Sample Program for Biology)
Associate in Applied Science Degree sample program from Early Childhood	(Sample Program for Early Childhood)
Associate in Occupational Technology sample degree program from Commercial Art	(Commercial Art)
Sample Short-term Certificate program from Air Conditioning	(Sample Program for Aiir Conditioning)
Sample Certificate program from Barbering	(Sample Program for Barbering)
New Degree Programs Policy	(Policy 702.01)
Alabama Commission on Higher Education	(ISPA)
Unit Planning	(Unit Plan Template)
Unit Planning and Evaluation	Planning and Evaluation Process
Planning Hearing Notebook (sample from Academic Affairs)	(Hearing Notebooks)
WEAVE online	(WEAVE)
Employer Surveys	(Surveyed)
Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes	(Advisory Committee Minutes)
STARS	(STARS)
Planning and Evaluation Process	Planning and Evaluation Process