V.J.1. Formula Funding, SDF, Tuition, and Fees for Instructional Contracts
The College cannot use state appropriation funding for non-credit courses that do not award Continuing Education Units (CEU). Conversely, courses awarding CEUs may use state appropriation funding but are subject to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) as a condition of eligibility for formula funding. The College may use the Skills Development Fund (SDF) for start-up or emergency funds to develop customized training programs for businesses and trade unions, and for sponsoring small and medium-sized business networks and consortiums. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the College from offering non-credit courses that do not award CEUs.
Any course that provides credit hours or CEUs must follow the College’s Tuition and Fees Policies and the Chancellor’s Procedures notwithstanding the existence of a contract. No employee has discretion to waive out-of-state or out-of-district tuition and fees for such agreements.
(a) SACSCOC Accredited Organizations. The College may enter into memoranda of understanding, agreements, or contracts with SACSCOC accredited institutions provided that such agreements must be signed by the Chancellor or a designee (such contracts cannot be further sub-delegated by the initial designee). The Chancellor must designate such designees in writing and file those designations with the Office of the General Counsel. No employee, except the Chancellor, may sign such agreements without a specific, written designation. Finally, all such agreements must comply with state law and SACSCOC guidelines.
(b) Non-Accredited Organizations. The College may enter into memoranda of understanding, agreements, or contracts with nonSACSCOC accredited institutions provided that such agreements must be signed by the Chancellor or a designee. Those agreements must be routed through the office of the designee responsible for academic and student success for the System to ensure compliance with SACSCOC guidelines and regulations. Those agreements must next be routed through the Office of the General Counsel so that the General Counsel, or a designee, may ensure compliance with state law (unless a Standard Contract approved by the Office of the General Counsel is being used for the agreement).
V.J.2. Definitions
(a) Certificate Program means a credit or non-credit workforce education program designed for entry-level employment or for upgrading skills and knowledge within an occupation. Certificate programs typically serve as building blocks and exit points for an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs. They include fast track certification, level 1, level 2. At times a certificate may be post-degree as is the case for the Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC).
(b) Community Service Course means a course offered for recreational or avocation purposes unsupported by state funding.
(c) Workforce Course means a course offered with an occupationally specific objective and supported by state funding.
(d) Workforce Education means technical courses and programs for which the College awards semester credit hours or continuing education units depicted by a Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) rubric from the THECB Guidelines on Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE). Workforce education courses and programs prepare students for immediate employment after completion of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Level 1 certificate, level 2 certificate, industry certification, or job upgrade within specific occupational categories.
V.J.3. Technical and Workforce Course Policy
The Board can finance, provide, and supervise technical and workforce courses for the College’s students. The College will conduct an internal program review for each workforce program on a four-year cycle and present results to the Chancellor and the Board.
V.J.4. Earning Credit or Continuing Education Units through Workforce Courses
The College may classify Workforce Courses as earning semester credit hours, quarter credit hours, or continuing education units (CEUs) based on THECB rules. Contact hours reported for Workforce Courses which result in either credit hours or CEUs will be eligible for formula funding if the program meets the policies as stated in the GIPWE.
(a) A course or program that meets or exceeds 360 hours in length must be approved as a workforce certificate program by THECB staff.
(b) A course or program that meets or exceeds 780 hours in length must result in the award of appropriate semester or quarter credit hours and be applicable to a certificate or an applied associate degree (AAS) program.
V.J.5. New Certificate and Applied Associate Degree Program Requirements
The College must meet several requirements under the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education before the College may approve new certificate or applied associate degree programs. Those requirements include:
(a) Completed application forms and a statement of assurances must be approved by the Board and the Chancellor, and then forwarded to the THECB’s Community and Technical Colleges Division.
(b) The statement of assurances must certify that the THECB’s criteria for new programs have been met.
V.J.6. Revising Certificate and Applied Associate Degree Program Requirements
If the College wishes to revise an existing certificate or applied associate degree program, it must complete the procedures as outlined in the THECB’s Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE).
(a) All programs must be under the direction of an administrator having appropriate authority to ensure that course and program quality is maintained, and that courses and programs are reviewed regularly, and that programs are conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and rules. Administrative officers must possess credentials, work experience, and/or demonstrated competence appropriate to their areas of responsibility, as specified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In addition, workforce programs are reviewed annually for relevance to the workplace, new programs created when needed, programs deactivated when no longer effective.
(b) Faculty and staff must be approved by the post-secondary institution. Each individual must meet the minimum qualifications established by the THECB and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
LSCS Policy Manual Section adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 2, 2017