SACS Compliance Certification Report (PDF) - South Florida State ...

Statewide Course Numbering SystemStudent Services | SFCC College Catalog 2010-20112.7.3General EducationIn each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a generaleducation component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduatedegree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degreecompletion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or theequivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credithours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas:humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses do notnarrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation orprofession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation forthe equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the requirednumber of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses.JudgmentCompliant Non-Compliant Not ApplicableNarrativeSouth Florida Community College (SFCC) awards Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate inApplied Science degrees, all of which contain a substantial general education component.Substantial Component of Undergraduate Degree ProgramsAll degree programs require a common general education core of courses from five areas, as well aselectives. The five areas are communication, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, science, andmathematics. Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees require 36 hours of general education. For the A.A.degree, the student must earn 9 hours in communication, 6 hours in humanities, 6 hours in social andbehavioral science, 7-8 hours in science, 6-8 hours in mathematics, and 2-3 hours general educationelectives to attain the required 36 credit hours.Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs includefive to eight general education courses for a total between 15 and 34 credit hours. The A.S. degrees varyconsiderably depending on the target degree. Requirements for all A.S. and A.A.S. degrees arecondensed in a table for easy access. Students in these areas of study are required to earn between 3and 9 hours in communication, 3-6 hours in humanities, 3-12 hours in social and behavioral sciences, 0-12 hours in natural science, and 3-9 hours in mathematics to attain the required hours.The SFCC College Catalog lists the courses available in humanities/fine arts, social/behavioralsciences, and natural science/mathematics to fulfill the general education requirement. General educationrequirements for A.S. and A.A.S. degrees are designated by the abbreviation (GE) following thecourse within each degree plan.Ensures Breadth of KnowledgeThe college's general education curriculum ensures that all degree-seeking students receive a solidfoundation in five broad outcome areas. Each outcome area is measured regularly for improvement.These outcomes provide a firm foundation on which to build and strengthen the remainder of thestudent's course work. Student work is assessed to ensure comprehension and skill attainment as well ascontinuous improvement in curriculum.South Florida Community College Page 21 / 202The General Education Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Academic Quality Committee, is chargedwith development and monitoring of the general education assessment process. The subcommittee