X    Compliance         Partial Compliance         Non-Compliance

Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) defines and publishes general education and major program requirements for all of its programs in the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004: Programs of Study. Summaries of program requirements are also distributed through a number of publications both in print and on the College’s public website.

These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and program models as defined by State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE). The SBTCE mandates conformity to state-established curriculum standards. These standards specify parameters for major program requirements and general education requirements. For any program to receive state approval, that program must clearly articulate the program and general education requirements. Each program contains a minimum of three semester hours of English, three semester hours in Communication, three semester hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences, and three semester hours in Humanities/Fine Arts. Additionally, each program contains one or more courses in the Natural Sciences/Mathematics category. Evidence can be found in the curriculum displays of each program on pages 105-183 in the College catalog.

The OCtech Curriculum Committee reviews all proposals for new and revised curriculum courses of the College to ensure compliance to SACS and State Tech System requirements, to monitor academic quality and relevance, and to ensure adherence to other College academic requirements. Distance Learning courses are subject to the same review process.

The SBCTE reviews programs to assure their compliance with state curriculum standard guidelines. In addition, the College’s Datatel Colleague Software Academic Program Management function compares all OCtech programs with state requirements. Programs will not pass the comparison of standards if the general education requirements are not met.

Evidence of Support: