4.4 Program Length

Federal Requirement:  Program length is appropriate for each of the institution’s educational programs.

X Compliance
    Partial Compliance
    Non-Compliance

Narrative:

As discussed in Requirement 2.7.1,Georgia State University offers 54 undergraduate programs (majors), 106 programs at the Master’s level, and 29 at the doctoral level; the Juris Doctor (J.D.); nine Education Specialist degrees; three undergraduate certificates; and 16 graduate certificates. [1] According to the State of Georgia Board of Regents, all baccalaureate degrees must require a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. [2]  Degree requirements for each undergraduate program, none less than 120 hours, are presented in the Undergraduate Catalog.

All post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree programs at Georgia State University require at least 30 semester credit hours, and many programs require more. [3] Degree requirements for each program are presented in the Graduate Catalog.

As discussed in Standards 3.4.1, 3.4.10, and 3.4.11, the length of all programs is reviewed when the program is proposed, when changes are made, and on a regular cycle of periodic review. 

New programs are developed by faculty at the department level in response to a perceived need. Departments then make proposals to a college-level committee.  [4] The proposals are then reviewed for length by the Academic Programs Committee of the University Senate. [5] Proposals approved by the Academic Programs Committee are then reviewed by the Provost and, if approved, submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs of the University System of Georgia (USG).  Finally, proposals approved by this Office are submitted to the Board of Regents of the USG for final approval. [6] At each stage of review of proposed new programs, the length of the program is reviewed.

Any changes to program length are reviewed by the faculty of the relevant college.  [7]

All programs are reviewed every seven years following the Academic Program Review process. [8] This review includes a self-study, outside peer reviews, internal reviews, and an action plan.  Departments are responsible for making sure that the length of their programs is appropriate and the review process, particularly the external and internal reviewers’ reports, ensures that all degree programs are of appropriate length.

Many programs are reviewed as part of a specialized accreditation process conducted by a professional organization.  [9] Program length is reviewed as part of these accreditation processes.

Supporting Documentation:

  1. Georgia State Degrees and Programs
  2. Board of Regents, Undergraduate Degree Requirements
  3. University Senate, Graduate Program Policies
  4. Georgia State Procedures for the Creation of New Degree Programs and Majors
  5. University Senate, Committee on Academic Programs
  6. Board of Regents, New Academic Programs
  7. College Bylaws
  8. Academic Program Review
  9. Specialized Accreditations