Athens State University (ASU) is the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). Since being accepted into the System in 1975, the primary mission of the institution has been to serve ACCS transfer students as well as students transferring from other accredited institutions. As an upper division undergraduate institution, Athens State University does not offer lower division coursework, but offers upper division coursework in 31 programs leading to baccalaureate degrees. Therefore, Athens State University does not offer all of the coursework for any of its degree programs, but does ensure the quality of its academic programs through an alternative approach.
All degree programs at Athens State include a general education component as part of the degree requirements (see Core Requirement 2.7.3). In most cases, new students entering Athens State take these courses at one of the community colleges in the ACCS, but may also take courses at other regionally accredited institutions. In transferring coursework to Athens State, each student must conform to all admissions and transfer-of-credit requirements and policies, including: as published in the ASU Catalog. These policies ensure that students entering Athens State have sufficient lower-division academic backgrounds to succeed in the upper division coursework offered at ASU. Students who do not meet standard admissions requirements may appeal to the ASU Admissions Committee for review of their academic records and may be admitted after the review and approval of the Committee. Additional information on admissions and transfer-of-credit policies can be found in the narratives for Comprehensive Standard 3.4.3 and Comprehensive Standard 3.4.4.
Transfer credit for new students is evaluated by the counselors in the Transfer Advising Center, in coordination with the Office of Admissions and Records and in consultation with faculty advisors as necessary, to determine whether any course taken at another institution is acceptable to satisfy a general education requirement in a particular ASU degree program. In addition, faculty advisors determine whether other transfer credit, outside the general education curriculum, is relevant to the degree program the student has chosen. Faculty evaluate this coursework for the content and level of instruction, with the goal of ensuring that the student’s competencies in the transfer coursework are at least equivalent to that of students enrolled in similar courses at Athens State University, and that the student is ready to enter into upper division ASU courses required in their chosen degree program.
In addition to the review of general education coursework by Transfer Center counselors, the New Student Academic Assessment Policy requires new students to take the ETS® Proficiency Profile Test (formerly MAPP Test) before the end of the 7th week of their first term at Athens State. This test is designed to measure competencies in fundamental general education skills, and the results of the test allow the University to assess the general education background of new students. Additional information on new student assessment and general education competencies can be found in the narrative for Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1.
To consistently evaluate learning outcomes and program quality throughout each student’s matriculation in a degree program, Athens State employs a systematic and on-going outcomes assessment process to evaluate all academic programs, student support services and administrative functions, as a fundamental part of its strategic planning. Specific target learning outcomes for degree programs are identified by the appropriate faculty in each program. These outcomes are measured through evidenced-based student performance in assessment instruments that may include degree-specific examinations, research projects, targeted assignments, licensing/certifications, capstone courses, and major field tests. Self-assessment of students’ entering and exiting competencies may also be used as a complementary method of evaluation. Outcomes assessment of student learning covers all instructional modalities (i.e. Distance Learning) and delivery locations (i.e. Off-Campus Sites). Evaluation outcomes are incorporated into the institution's overall institutional effectiveness efforts.
Faculty members with expertise in the appropriate field hold the responsibility for guiding the quality of academic programs, under the oversight of departmental chairs and College Deans. The Office of Institutional Planning, Research, and Assessment (OIPRA), as mandated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, has coordinating authority to ensure that planning and assessment efforts in academic programs are fully aligned and are consistent with state and university policies, accreditation standards, and requirements from regulatory organizations. Additional information on the assessment process can be found in the narrative for Core Requirement 2.5 and information on the analysis of assessment results in educational programs can be found in the narrative for Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1.1.
|