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2.7.3     In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours 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 not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses. (General Education)

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Summary

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) is in compliance with this core requirement. The General Education core component for each program is based upon mandated statewide North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) Curriculum Standards.  These NCCCS standards require each program of study to have a general education core of at least 15 semester hours, including one course from each of the following areas: communications, humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral science, and natural science/mathematics.  The variety of courses required ensures breadth of knowledge for program graduates.

Narrative

General education courses offered at FTCC are college-level and present a breadth of knowledge necessary to promote intellectual inquiry.  All general education courses are based on a coherent rationale, mandated by the NCCCS to ensure consistency of general education offerings across the State of North Carolina.  All general education courses offered at FTCC are evaluated by Program Coordinators and Department/Division Chairs to ensure they reinforce cognitive skills and affective learning opportunities for all students in the program of study.   General education courses selected in each program are evaluated against both the program area’s and the institution’s mission statement to ensure they are appropriate for inclusion into the program of study.

All associate degree programs at FTCC contain a general education core component that ensures sufficient breadth of knowledge in each program. To satisfy the General Education component, each associate degree program requires a minimum of 15 semester hours, including at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. Degree programs also contain a minimum of six semester hours of communication courses. The rationale for these local requirements is based upon the mandated statewide NCCCS Curriculum Standards, which specify standard course content for each program of study.  A sample Curriculum Standard for Business Administration is provided. 

General education courses in the Combined Course Library (CCL) are standardized, regardless of the degree program in which they are offered. Courses cannot be narrowly focused on skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. Courses from the CCL are described in the FTCC Catalog.

Per the FTCC Planning Guide (2009), “FTCC provides programs to meet the technical, vocational, and general education needs of its students and the surrounding community.  Graduates of FTCC, regardless of program area, should possess a common core of general education competencies that promote success in the work place, facilitate the learning of technical skills, and ease the transition to further higher education.  Achievement of these core competencies should also serve to enhance quality of life.  In reviewing the required courses for all degree and diploma programs at the College, certain commonly embedded competencies within the general education core have been identified.” These core competencies are identified in FTCC General Education Core Competencies. To ensure continuous quality improvement at the College, a process is in place for assessing the five core competencies. Evidence that the college uses the results of this assessment to analyze and ensure breadth of knowledge, reinforcement of cognitive skills, and affective learning opportunities for each student can be found in the General Education Assessment Matrix for 2008-09. 

FTCC assesses general education competencies annually.  Faculty representatives from each general education discipline provide input to create an annual General Education Assessment Plan. If an outcome should not be met, an action plan is created for the upcoming assessment cycle. Additionally, all program areas are required to have their own assessment plans, which include an evaluation of at least one of the five general education competencies.  This ensures all program areas are incorporating general education competencies within its program-specific courses.

With regard to course equivalency, students take courses required in their program. In some cases, students may substitute one course for another. Students can request course substitutions through their academic advisor, the department chair/program coordinators, and the appropriate academic dean. Substitution is not allowed for major and core courses in a program of study according to NCCCS curricular guidelines.

The University of North Carolina System has approved the General Education core component under their Comprehensive Articulation Agreement with NCCCS. The comprehensive articulation agreement is reviewed and agreed upon annually by the representatives from the university system and the community college system. All courses that have been approved under the comprehensive articulation agreement include the following statement in the FTCC College Catalog “This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement.”  Inclusion of this statement in the course description ensures all students are aware of the transferability and acceptance of these courses to meet general education and/or program-specific coursework should the student elect to transfer to the UNC system to continue their education.

Supporting Documentation

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