The Credit Program and Course Approval unit is responsible for the development and approval of all new credit programs offered by the California Community Colleges. This unit maintains the statewide Inventory of Approved and Projected Programs, which lists all approved programs in the California Community Colleges system. The inventory may be searched by college or by type of program. Technical assistance is provided to community colleges on all aspects of credit program development.
Another responsibility is to monitor local approval of credit stand-alone courses; that is, courses in the credit mode that are not part of any approved program. A course is program-applicable when it is required, or on a list of restricted electives, for a degree or certificate approved by the System Office. Effective fall 2007, the authority to approve credit stand-alone courses was delegated to district governing boards when community colleges are certified. Certification training of college faculty and staff who are involved in curriculum approval must be completed annually and notice must be received in the System Office by September 30th of every year.
The unit also researches questions on regulations and statutes that affect credit curriculum and the circumstances under which community college courses and programs are taught. For example, rules on requirements for course outlines, associate degree standards, etc. may be analyzed and recommendations may be prepared.
Detailed procedures and standards for approval of credit curriculum are set forth in the Program and Course Approval Handbook. This document is currently under revision and the 3rd edition is expected to be published in 2009. In October 2007, a Supplement to the Program and Course Approval Handbook, 2nd Edition was published to introduce new processes in compliance with changes to Title 5. These documents are available online through the link to Applications and Forms.
For Credit Program and Course assistance, contact:
For Division Website Assistance, contact Kathy Carroll at 916.322.6881