The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded (a) is approved by the faculty and the administration, and (b) establishes and evaluates program and learning outcomes. ( Approved by Faculty; Learning Outcomes )

  X    Compliance         Partial Compliance         Non-Compliance

Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) requires that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is both approved by the faculty and has established educational outcomes that are evaluated to ensure student academic progress. The College faculty and administration participate in a formal process of course and program review and approval through the structure of the OCtech Curriculum Committee. Composed of faculty members representing each academic division, the Vice President for Student Services, and other administrators, the role of the Curriculum Committee is to ensure the integrity and consistency of curricula through review of all proposals for the following: new programs; new courses; and changes to existing programs, including adding/deleting courses, modifying pre- and co-requisites or course descriptions, adding to the elective list, or modifying semester layout.

Following approval by the Curriculum Committee, changes that require board approval are sent to the OCtech Area Commission for action. Actions such as new program offerings and/or dissolution of existing programs require Area Commission approval. Although the faculty and administration have broad latitude in meeting local employment needs by recommending and implementing certificate programs through the Orangeburg-Calhoun Area Technical Education Commission, degree and diploma programs require the approval of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE). Degree programs require the additional approval of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE).

The Curriculum Committee also makes recommendations for the establishment or revision of College policies on academic standards to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Its objectives are to assure that changes are educationally sound, to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, and to reflect the constructive advice of a cross section of faculty, staff, and administration in its recommendations.

Each educational program has established program outcomes as listed on the OCtech website as DACUMs. Program outcomes are initially established by the program's faculty members and/or through national/state accrediting bodies. Validation of the program outcomes are accomplished through the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process and through the respective Advisory Committees. Advisory committees are made up of experts in the field from business, health care, and industrial communities whose purpose is to provide a vital link between the community and the College by offering objective evaluations and recommendations regarding program developments and instructional improvement. Similarly, DACUM panels are made up of recognized individuals working in the field of the designated program. Their task is to ensure relevancy and currency of the curriculum and learning outcomes. Once the program outcomes are established and validated, they are, along with the curriculum's program of study, published on the College's website and the respective course syllabi.

The program outcomes are reviewed annually by the program's advisory committee and its faculty. As part of the College's program of institutional effectiveness, DACUM panels are conducted every four years to review current program outcomes to determine if what students are learning in the classroom mirrors what is necessary to function successfully in the workplace. The panel membership is made up of active area professionals. Faculty members make revisions to the program outcomes and the curriculum as needed following validation of the DACUM panel's recommendations. Faculty in each educational program are then responsible for providing coherent courses of study with established learning outcomes, sequencing of courses, and monitoring student progress.

OCtech uses a variety of methods to evaluate the attainment of program outcomes. The College uses both direct and indirect measures as a means of making that determination. At the program level, the faculty members evaluate the attainment of program outcomes by measuring student success. Direct measures such as capstone courses, licensure/certification examinations mandated by external accrediting agencies, licensure/certification pass rates on state and national certification exams, and periodic review by a program's respective accreditation body are utilized. In addition, programs submit an annual Program Review document that shows the manner in which program outcomes are evaluated. Beginning in 2004-2005, program reviews are required to include both direct and indirect student measures. Program reviews include program outcome benchmarks. It is also the practice of the College to require accreditation when outside accrediting agencies exist for its educational programs. The following are some of the OCtech program areas that adhere to standards established by an external accrediting body:

• Business: Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Electronics Engineering Technology: Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology
• Nursing: National League of Nursing
• Medical Lab Technology - National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Radiologic Technology - Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
• Respiratory Care Technology - Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
• Automotive Technology - National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
• Paralegal/Legal Assistant - American Bar Association
• Medical Office Assisting - American Association of Medical Assistants

Capstone courses, courses developed by faculty as a means to evaluate student learning, are designed to serve as the culminating educational experience for students in their respective programs. Typically, the courses utilize workplace experiences to integrate knowledge and skills with real word learning. Capstone courses at OCtech can be found in the following programs:

• Accounting
• Business
• Office Systems Technology
• Information Systems Technology
• Engineering Technology
• Machine Tool Technology
• Industrial Electronics Technology

Indirect measures of program outcomes are also included in the program review process and are required by the SBTCE. Indirect assessment is accomplished through the use of the Graduate Exit Survey, the Alumni Survey examination of graduation rates, successful progression of students to the four-year institutions, and employment rates of graduates. All are conducted annually. Prior to 2004, OCtech programs were subjected to formal local review every four years. Beginning in 2004, all academic programs became subject to annual program reviews. Program benchmarks were established for three areas: Retention, Satisfaction on the Graduate Exit Survey, Job Placement, and Graduation Rates. Data from each are used by the departments to continuously improve the programs. The annual program reviews for 2003-2004 can be found on the accompanying OCtech SACS website and on the OCtech public website to ensure public accountability.

More specific individual course and learning outcomes based on the overall program outcomes are written by the faculty members of each program. The course and learning outcomes are developed using the knowledge experience of the faculty and requirements specified by national/state accrediting bodies. Advisory committees and DACUM panelists work to validate the program competencies. Panelists and committee members have the opportunity to make recommendations on program and course content. Course and learning outcomes are published in the appropriate course syllabus.

Evidence of Support: