SP 9-30d – Requirements for Graduation and Credentialing

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SP 9-30d

APPROVED: March 27, 2015
EFFECTIVE: March 27, 2015
REVISED: September 19, 2022
RETITLED: September 19, 2022
RENUMBERED: September 19, 2022

REFERENCE(S): Board Policy (BP) 9-30, Approval of Academic Programs

/ Joseph A. Garcia /
Joseph A. Garcia, Chancellor

APPLICATION

This procedure applies to the Colorado Community College System, including its Colleges (CCCS or System).

BASIS

The State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE or Board) approves all degree and postsecondary certificate programs offered at CCCS. Within those approved programs, this procedure establishes graduation requirements, catalog year standards, and processes for issuing honorary or posthumous degrees.

DEFINITIONS

“Academic Catalog”: The published program requirements to receive a degree or credential.

“Academic Program”: A program leading to a degree, certificate, or other credential offered for credit, including both Career and Technical Education (CTE) and non-CTE.

“Catalog Year”: The academic year in which a student declares their program of study.

“Honorary Degree or Certificate”: A degree or certificate awarded as an honor for exceptional or compelling reasons rather than as the result of matriculating and earning a degree based on studies at the College.

“Program of Study”: The academic or credential program a student is pursuing.

PROCEDURES

In order to graduate and receive a degree, certificate or credential, a student must meet the College’s stated requirements for the program as outlined in this procedure. The College may also establish internal processes for students to apply for and receive degrees and credentials.

Catalog Year:
A student must meet the requirements in the academic catalog for their catalog year, in order to receive their degree or credential. A student’s catalog year for their program of study will be based on the current catalog year in effect at the time a student declares their program of study. Colleges have the discretion to determine when a catalog year expires and the courses under that catalog year are no longer valid for the declared program of study. In the absence of a catalog expiration period, courses will be valid for ten (10) years from the initiation of the catalog year. If a student re-applies after becoming inactive under System Procedure (SP) 4-10a, Application and Enrollment, their catalog year will change to the year in which they re-enroll.

Teach Out:
When a College closes or ends an academic program, any students who have already declared the program being closed as their program of study have a right to continue pursuing their program for 150% of the amount of time it would take a full-time student to complete the program under their existing catalog year. Any exception can be made to the teach out length upon approval of the College’s senior academic officer. A program may be closed sooner if there are no longer any students enrolled.

Multiple Credentials:
Students who meet the requirements for more than one degree or credential may be awarded multiple degrees or credentials, unless a College has written criteria in their catalog stating additional requirements are necessary for a student to be awarded multiple credentials.

Honorary Degrees:
Colleges may award an honorary degree under exceptional or compelling circumstances, at the discretion of the College President. The College must document the reason for awarding the honorary degree and keep the reason and approval on file in the student’s record.

Posthumous Degrees:
A deceased student who has successfully completed at least 2/3 of the program of study requirements prior to their passing, and was an active student under SP 4-10a at the time of passing or events leading to their passing, may be issued a degree or certificate posthumously at the discretion of the College President. The College will document the awarding of a posthumous degree in the student’s file.

REVISING THIS PROCEDURE

CCCS reserves the right to change any provision or requirement of this procedure at any time and the change shall become effective immediately.