Policy: 4-2
Baccalaureate Degree Program Requirements
• Effective: Fall 2013
• Approved: April 2013
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish how Fort Lewis College (hereafter the College) complies with C.R.S. 23-1-125 (1)(a), (1)(b), and (2) and Colorado Commission on Higher Education Policy I-L-5.01
2.0 REQUIREMENTS
2.01 Statute
C.R.S. 23-1-125 (1)(a) and (2) establishes the right of students at public institutions of higher education to complete a baccalaureate degree in no more than 120 credit hours unless there are additional degree requirements for specific professional degree programs approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
C.R.S. 23-1-125 (1)(b) establishes the right of students at public institutions of higher education to complete the degree requirements for a baccalaureate degree in no more than four years.
2.02 Colorado Commission on Higher Education Policy
Colorado Commission on Higher Education Policy I-L-5.01 asserts that the right to a 120 credit degree program is also a right of transfer students: "Because all liberal arts and sciences degrees are designed to be completed in 120 credit hours, a transfer student can complete a four-year degree in the same time as a native student."
2.03 Higher Learning Commission Assumed Practices
Higher Learning Commission Assumed Practice B.1.a. establishes 120 credits as a "commonly accepted minimum program length" for bachelor’s degrees.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
3.01 Baccalaureate Degree Programs
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science comprise the baccalaureate degree programs at Fort Lewis College.
3.02 Four Years
Four years is defined as eight consecutive Fall and Spring semesters. 2
3.03 Five Years
Five years is defined as 10 consecutive Fall and Spring semesters.
3.04 Two Years
Two years is defined as four consecutive Fall and Spring semesters.
3.05 Honest Credit Counting Protocols
The honest credit counting protocols specified in Fort Lewis College Academic Policy and Procedure – Section 4-1 – Honest Credit Counting Protocols must be used in determining compliance with required minimum and maximum numbers of credits in degree programs.
4.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CURRICULA
4.01 Mandatory Degree Components
Baccalaureate degree curricula must include the degree components of the Liberal Arts Core and the major. The degree component of free electives is not required.
4.02 Maximum Number of Credits
All baccalaureate degree programs must be designed so that the Liberal Arts Core and the major can be completed in no more than 120 credit hours.
4.02.01 Exceptions to Maximum Number of Credits Requirement
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has authorized the following exceptions to the maximum number of credits requirement:
o
Teacher preparation programs in the sciences must be designed so they can be completed in no more than 138 credits.
o
Teacher preparation programs in all other fields must be designed so they can be completed in no more than 126 credits.
o
Engineering programs have no credit maximums.
4.02 Length of Program
All baccalaureate degrees must be designed so that the Liberal Arts Core and the major can be completed in four years. Summer courses may not be required.
4.02.01 Exceptions to Length of Program Requirement
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has authorized teacher preparation programs in the sciences for a maximum of five years. Summer courses may not be required.
4.03 Semester Credit Maximums 3
All baccalaureate degree programs must be designed so that students will not be required in any semester to enroll in more than 18 credits.
4.03.01 Exceptions to Semester Credit Maximums
Engineering programs are exempt from the semester credit maximum requirement.
4.04 Transfer students
All baccalaureate degree programs must be designed so that students who comply with the published 60-60 Transfer Guide or Statewide Transfer Agreement for that degree program can graduate in 60 credits and two years. Summer courses may not be required.