OAR 589-006-0150: Local Community College Responsibilities for Course and Program Approval

(1) Community college boards will have local processes in place to ensure that local and state program approval standards and criteria are implemented and maintained. (2) Community college boards are responsible for approving the requirements for all of their college's certificate and degree programs. Additionally, these requirements must be included in the institution’s catalog as of the term any new program begins. (3) The community college board of education has the responsibility to ensure that approval standards are achieved for all programs offered by the local community college. (4) Community colleges must follow the program approval process as outlined in the Oregon Community College Policy and Process Book. (5) Community colleges shall use the term "Certificate" or "Certificate of Completion" in college catalogs and college promotional documents and on transcripts only as an indication of an award by the college that has met the local and state program approval standards and criteria and has been approved by the Commission. (6) Community college boards of education will submit program information using the Approval Procedures identified by the Office. (7) The board of education of a community college district is responsible for obtaining and maintaining the course approval requirements set by the Commission. (8) Community colleges may provide recognition awards to students for the completion of a state-approved course or courses. Recognition awards may not be called "certificates of completion" or "certificates" and may not be included on the official student transcript. Recognition awards may not be provided for coursework meeting the definition of "program" without state approval. (9) Upon approval by the Commission, the Commission authorizes the community college board, established under ORS 341.005 to 341.950, to issue certificates of completion, associate degrees, bachelor of applied science degrees, and Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees as an indication of satisfactory completion of state-approved programs offered by the community college. (10) The type and name of bachelor degree, associate degree, associate degree option, or certificate of completion to be awarded for completion of a program shall be clearly stated in the community college's catalog or supplement thereto. (11) Only educational programs that have received program approval from the community college board and the Commission shall be included in a community college catalog or other materials. (12) Prerequisites for bachelor of applied science degree, Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree, associate degree, associate degree option, and certificate of completion programs and courses within the programs shall be clearly stated in the community college's catalog or supplement thereto.