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Section IV: Programs
SACS Comprehensive Standard for All Educational Programs
IV-6. The institution employs sound and acceptable
practices for awarding credit for courses it offers.
JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Yes, East Tennessee State University is able to provide
a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance.
STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE
East Tennessee State University maintains standards to ensure sound
and acceptable practices for awarding credit at the baccalaureate, graduate,
and post-baccalaureate levels." Practices for awarding credit for the
graduate and post-baccalaureate professional degrees are discussed in
SACS Standard IV-21." Institutional standards are in accord with
the standards of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and standards of
accreditation agencies." All courses, except those identified as remedial
or developmental, are applicable to at least one ETSU degree or certificate
as a degree or elective requirement." Transfer credit is accepted only
as one-to-one course equivalency." Transfer courses not applicable to
a degree or certificate program are noted on electronic and paper records."
The ETSU curriculum approval process ensures that all new and modified
courses meet standards of quality and best practices concerning content,
learning outcomes, instructional methods, assignments, and student evaluation
for the awarding of credit (ETSU Curriculum Process Manual; SACS Standards
IV-1a and 11)." A minimum of 750 minutes of instruction is
required for each semester credit hour awarded (TBR Manual, Calendar
Conversion)." Courses offered in non-traditional formats, such as
distance delivery and concentrated time periods, also meet the TBR minimum
of 750 minutes of instruction, which is monitored by the registrar."
The university ensures assignment of appropriate levels to courses through
its curriculum process." Further, the appropriateness of level assigned
to courses is audited periodically by the TBR, who sets standards for
appropriate levels based on commonality across the six TBR universities
(SACS Standard II-7b)."
The university employs a plus/minus grading system (A, A-, B+, B, etc.)
and assigns numeric values to letter grades as a basis for calculating
and depicting the overall academic standing of each student." Grades
that do not influence the grade point average are identified (ETSU
Undergraduate Catalog, Academic Regulations)." University retention
and persistence policies comply with those of the TBR (TBR Manual,
Undergraduate Academic Retention Requirements).
Acceptable practices for awarding credit also are reviewed during accreditation
and program reviews." All 54 ETSU degree programs eligible for accreditation
are accredited." Further, the peer evaluation of academic degree programs
not eligible for accreditation ensures appropriate and sound practices
within these programs." All peer-reviewed degree programs meet or exceed
minimum standards of the appropriate Tennessee Performance Funding Program
criteria (TBR Manual, Program Review and Approval).
DOCUMENTATION
SOURCE
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LOCATION
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SACS Standard IV-21
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ETSU Curriculum Process Manual
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SACS Standard IV-1a
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SACS Standard IV-11
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Tennessee Board of Regents Policies and Guidelines Manual,
Guideline A-090, Calendar Conversion
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SACS Standard II-7b
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ETSU Undergraduate Catalog, 2001-2002, Academic Regulations
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Tennessee Board of Regents Policies and Guidelines Manual,
Policy 2:03:01:01, Undergraduate Academic Retention Requirements
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Tennessee Board of Regents Policies and Guidelines Manual,
Policy 2:01:01:00, Program Review and Approval
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