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Multiple Associate Degrees

Deans’ Council

Update October 25, 2012

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Setting the Context

The problem was presented to Deans’ Council in March of 2012.

The problem: Should a student that meets all graduation requirements be

eligible to receive two associate degrees in the same semester?

Deans’ Council Assigned a team to analyze the problem. Team members:

Lakisha Beck, Laurie Chesley, Katie Daniels, Deb DeWent, Diane Patrick, Lynnae Selberg, Paula Sullivan, Patti Trepkowski

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Why is this a problem? We currently have a practice but not an

institutional policy. It appears that we are allowing a student to

double-dip. With our practice of only conferring degrees in

separate semesters, as we may be conferring a degree in a semester that the student didn’t take any classes.

A second associate degree is using up more Financial Aid for students, potentially leaving them without enough eligible monies for their bachelors degree.

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Student Examples

Student #1 - Earned 4 Associate Degrees:* Associate in Business – Business Administration Associate in Business – Management & Supervision Associate in Business – Marketing Associate in Business – Accounting Total of 178 credits (Winter 2005 – Winter 2011)

Student # 2 – Earned 3 Associate Degrees:* Associate in Business – Business Administration Associate in Business – Marketing Associate in Business – Management & Supervision Total of 123 credits (Fall 2002 – Summer 2006)

*Same degree – different concentration. (Currently not distinctive and does not have the16 credit hour difference.)

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Topics Explored

Team created “Principles for Multiple Associate Degree Work,” as guidelines to frame this complicated subject matter.

1. Our decisions are consistent with respected external standards (those of accrediting agencies and professional organizations).

2. Our decisions reflect the established practices of community colleges and transfer institutions.

3. Our decisions honor the real value of a credential to a student in terms of his/her career or future educational path.

4. Our decisions will be aligned with our curriculum model.5. Our decisions take into consideration developing

performance funding standards at the State level, as well as gainful employment regulations.

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Topics Explored (Continued)

Benchmarked all Michigan Community Colleges on their process/policies.

Benchmarked with our transfer institutions on their policies (GVSU, FSU, DU, WMU)

Collected data on the number of Multiple Degrees Awarded.

Developed proposed draft policy statements.

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Larger Issues

The Multiple Associate Degree problem is a symptom of bigger issues around clarifying our definition of degrees and the relationships between programs and degrees.

There has been program creep over time Need to define standard institutional guidelines

for degrees, programs, curricular content, codes, etc., the work of the curriculum model team.

Programs that are impacted with this policy will be identified and the decisions to be made in light of this policy.

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Policy Highlights

Propose effective date for all incoming new students for Fall 2013 and full implementation for all students Fall 2015.

Implication for policy if the policy were in place. Students selecting curriculum codes – when they switch

they will be responsible for the requirements in that catalog. Programs that have less than 16 credits hours difference. Programs with AAAS and AA listed will be problematic Student in two curriculum codes.

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Next Steps

Motion and vote to bring the Multiple Associate Degree Policy to AGC.