9.7      PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The institution publishes requirements for its undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate professional programs, as applicable. The requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs.

JUDGEMENT

Compliance     Non-Compliance     Partial Compliance

NARRATIVE

North Carolina A&T State University publishes all current requirements for its undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs, including general education requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Requirements for undergraduate degree programs are published annually in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Each academic college has a section in the Undergraduate Bulletin that outlines the degree programs offered within the college and specific college requirements, beginning on p. 54 of the Bulletin. Departments within each college also have individual sections within the Undergraduate Bulletin that outline degrees offered within the department and requirements specific to each degree program. Each academic program also shares its curriculum guides (programs of study) outlining the specific requirements for each academic program.  Current Curriculum Guides (e.g., BS in Accounting) for each degree program can also be found online. Students are able to read and understand the requirements for their degree programs, but still have access to their department chairs and academic advisors if they have questions.  The curriculum guides include notes that help students to be aware of course prerequisites and the minimum acceptable grades for the courses.

The Undergraduate Bulletin is updated once each academic year—during the summer—so it is ready for the new academic year. The curriculum guides are updated as changes to courses and curricula are approved. They are refreshed each year, if only to place the current academic year at the top of the guide, so students are always aware of which is the current guide.

Individual departments are responsible for maintaining general program information on their departmental websites and ensuring that the information is accurate, clear, and consistent with the Undergraduate Bulletin.

To graduate with an undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University, candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements outlined in the Minimum Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree policy and included in the Undergraduate Bulletin, beginning on p. 49. These requirements are published and available online in the Undergraduate Bulletin, which is the official document that describes academic programs and requirements for students. A student must adhere to the policies, academic programs, and requirements outlined in the bulletin in effect when the student first entered the university. Each student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies and graduation requirements in the applicable bulletin.

A student may elect to adhere to requirements outlined in a bulletin published while the student is matriculating. The student may graduate under either bulletin if all requirements are successfully met.

General Education

Undergraduate degree programs require the completion of all general education requirements outlined by the university, as indicated in Section 9.3 and outlined in the published General Requirements for Graduation (Bulletin, pp. 56-57). The general education curriculum includes eight student learning outcomes in the categories of  Written Communication; Mathematical; Logical, and Analytical Reasoning; Scientific Reasoning; Social/Behavioral Sciences; Humanities/Fine Arts; Knowledge of African-American Culture and History; Global Awareness; and Student Success. Undergraduate degree programs must include 32 credit hours from the published list of general education courses.

Each curriculum guide (undergraduate program of study) addresses general education requirements by including the general education courses, along with the credit hours that must be completed to satisfy the general education requirements, on their curriculum guides. An example of a curriculum guide, with the general education requirements highlighted is provided.

Graduate Degree Programs

Policies and procedures governing graduate degree programs are published in the Graduate Catalog. The Graduate Catalog is accessible through the Graduate College website (https://www.ncat.edu/tgc/graduate-catalog/grad-catalog-2019-20.pdf). These policies and procedures relate to graduate courses, graduate degree programs, and graduate certificate programs. All academic policies that affect graduate students, graduate courses, and the graduate curricula are drafted by the Graduate Council, then proceed through the university’s policy appropal process, as outlined in the university’s Policy on Policies. The council, which is led by the Dean of the Graduate College, is comprised of faculty, students, and administrative representatives from the graduate programs.

Programs of Study for each graduate degree program are published in the Graduate Catalog. All graduate students are required to consult with their advisors, graduate coordinators and/or department chairs to establish a Plan of Study based on Graduate Catalog requirements and specific needs of the student. After admission to a program of study, all graduate students are required to file an approved Plan of Study by the end of the second semester to move forward with course enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all academic requirements for the selected academic program.

Graduation requirements for graduate students are published in the Graduate Catalog and are available online on the Graduate College website. Graduate students are responsible for adhering to the published academic requirements for graduation.

Master’s Degree Requirements.  All masters programs require a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. At least 6 of those credit hours must be for thesis research if the program requires a thesis. Individual master’s programs may require a higher number of graduate credit hours, if needed, to meet specific disciplinary accreditation requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy Requirements. All doctoral programs require a minimum of 60 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. At least 12 of those credit hours must be for dissertation research. Individual doctoral programs may require a higher number of graduate credit hours, if needed to meet specific disciplinary accreditation requirements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

1. 2019-2020 Undergraduate Bulletin

2. Current Curriculum Guides (e.g., BS in Accounting)

3. Minimum Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree Policy

4. General Requirements for Graduation– 2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin, pp. 56-57

5. Copy of Curriculum Guide with General Education Courses highlighted

6. 2019-2020 Graduate College Catalog

7. The University’s Policy on Policies