COMPLIANCE AUDIT REPORTS

Section 2: Core Requirement 2.7.3

In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses.

Statement of Compliance: Dyersburg State Community College is in compliance with Core Requirement 2.7.3.

Rationale for Judgment of Compliance:

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) offers programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees. Each of these programs is based on at least 60 semester credit hours as listed in the 2006-2007 DSCC Catalog and Student Handbook [Ref 1].

In the University Parallel major and concentrations leading to an Associate of Arts degree or an Associate of Science degree, a general education core comprised of forty-one hours is prescribed in the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy on Undergraduate Degree Requirements [Ref 2]. For the Associate of Applied Science degree, a general education core of 15-17 hours is required [Ref 2] by TBR policy.

At DSCC, the purpose of the general education core is reflected in the Statement of General Education Outcomes [Ref 3], which promotes a shared core learning experience to ensure that DSCC students have the broad knowledge and skills to become life-long learners in a global community that will continue to change. The learning outcomes for each of these courses were developed by the TBR [Ref 4] and reflect the TBR Philosophy of General Education [Ref 5].

At DSCC, faculty and administrators reviewed all general education courses to ensure that they were in compliance with these TBR outcomes and identified and submitted courses that qualify as general education courses, according to the TBR policy. Forty-seven DSCC general education courses [Ref 6] were reviewed by the TBR General Education Advisory Committee and approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs as meeting the learning outcomes established by TBR [Ref 4]. As required by SACS, the general education core draws at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. Other general education categories include communication and history. General education requirements for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and the Associate of Applied Science degrees are listed in the annual catalog and student handbook [Ref 1]. While a student may choose from a variety of courses in each category [Ref 6], all of the areas required by SACS (humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences/ mathematics) are included in the DSCC core curriculum. In the fall of each year, requests for additions and deletions to the approved list of DSCC courses which fulfill general education requirements can be submitted to the TBR Office of Academic Affairs [Ref 7] for review.

DSCC’s general education courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession but instead address knowledge and competencies of broad usefulness to students' personal, professional, and civic lives. As stated in the DSCC Mission Statement [Ref 8], the College provides leadership in public service activities, workforce development projects, and educational collaborations designed to cultivate integrity and self worth, to embrace lifelong learning, to promote diversity, and to improve the community at large by producing educated and productive members of society.

Because DSCC uses semester credit hours as determined by the number of instructional minutes, no explanation for course equivalency is needed. Furthermore, since DSCC requires more than or equal to the minimum number of semester credit hours in general education, no justification for requiring fewer credit hours is needed.

Authored by Mr. J Dan Gullett in coordination with the SACS Leadership Team

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