APPROVAL OF NEW INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

References: Title IV of the Higher Education Act; Section 498A of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. § 1099c; Section 494 of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, PL 105-244; Higher Learning Commission; Wyoming Statutes: § 21-18-202(d), 21-18-202(c)(viii), 21-18-310,21-18-312, and 21-18-407(b)(i i);  Wyoming Community College Commission Chapter 6, Approval Functions.

The Board of Trustees, as per the authority granted in state statutes, requires Western Wyoming Community College (the College) to comply with the Wyoming Community College Commission’s (WCCC) requirements found in the Approval Functions when submitting proposals for new academic programs. The College shall submit any general transfer or occupational education programs for postsecondary certificate, associate or bachelor degree programs to the Board for approval prior to submission to the WCCC.

The College is required to have a process that requests program approval, as required, from the Higher Learning Commission, any other specialized accreditation agency, and if eligible, submit to the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Department for Title IV funding.  This process shall include input from the various college departments, i.e., fiscal, academic and student services.

Definitions

The following definitions shall be used in subsequent processes and procedures utilized by the College.

Program: Any program of instruction, public service program, off-campus instructional program, any new college, school, major division, education center, or institute, but shall not include reasonable and moderate extensions of existing curricula which have a direct relationship to existing programs.

Instructional Program: A sequence of courses and activities leading to a degree or certificate in an academic discipline or subject area offered by the College. Any course of study that meets any of the following triggers is an instructional program for the purpose of defining an instructional program new to an institution, or for the purpose of initiating the review of an existing instructional program:

• The title of the program will appear on the student’s transcript or other official records signifying the student’s achievements, skills, or knowledge in the discipline or area of study.
• The program will be identified in the catalog, bulletin, or other publications of the institution as a distinct program of study leading to a credential awarded by the institution.

New Instructional Program: A proposed instructional program not included in the definition of an existing instructional program. A substantial modification of an existing instructional program, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education and adhered to by the Higher Learning Commission, constitutes a new instructional program.  A substantial modification occurs when the principal objective of the program is changed.  A reasonable and moderate extension of an existing instructional program is not classified as a new instructional program.

New Organizational Unit: Any proposed major division, school, or institute that provides, facilitates, or coordinates instruction, research, or service and within which related disciplines or services are grouped.  Name changes or reasonable and moderate extensions of, or reorganizations within, existing organizational units shall not be considered as new organizational units.

 

Adopted June 23, 2022

Procedure 2170A

APPROVAL OF NEW INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

Reference:  Policies 1330A (Use of College Facilities); 2150A (Equal Opportunity); and 2170A (Approval of Instructional Programs).

Western Wyoming Community College (the College) is committed to ensuring that its instructional programs are accessible and provide equal opportunities to its students. Any new program that is brought forward to the Board for approval must be reviewed by the Vice President for Administrative Services or his/her designee to assure that the proposed:

• Classroom is physically accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Any required laboratory is physically accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The Vice President for Administrative Services or his/her designee must also validate that any approved site location(s) meets the facility access requirements.

The College is committed to providing equal opportunity and prohibits any type of discrimination or harassment that violates any federal/state law or Board Policy. See Policy 2150A.  The College assures that:

• All students shall have an equal opportunity to participate in a program of study.

The Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC), granted authority by state statutes, requires that:

• Program approvals be reviewed and approved by the WCCC;
• That an application be submitted to the WCCC that addresses:
  • How the new proposed program aligns with and meets the objectives of the WCCC Statewide Strategic Plan;
  • Projected labor market demand for graduates in the state and region which includes a five (5) year period from the proposed implementation date;
  • Wage projections for program graduates who enter an occupation directly related to their earned academic certificate or AAS degree;
  • Documented citizen, business and industry input in program design and assessment (AAS or credit certificate);
  • Research on whether other Wyoming community colleges offer the same or similar programs;
  • New course descriptions, which include course content and instructional modes utilized, program student learning outcomes, suggested Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes, and where applicable, any program accreditation process;
  • Delivery methods, i.e., face-to-face, online, hybrid or other;
  • Credit hours required for a program degree or certificate attainment;
  • Level of instruction code for courses that are new to Wyoming community colleges;
  • Any additional resources that will be required to start requested program and how the institution will provide said resources.

Any instructional department proposing a new instructional program is required to work with the appropriate School Chair and follow the Program Approval Process that has been developed by the College.  All requests for new instructional programs must include a completed WCCC New Program Request Form.

Adopted June 23, 2022