[Agvisors] FW: [3D Memos] Time Limit on Catalog of the Major

[Nancy Rodriguez Lorta]

From: 3dmemos-request at list.arizona.edu
[mailto:3dmemos-request at list.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Campasano, Karen S -
(ksc1)
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1:46 PM
To: 3dmemos at list.arizona.edu
Subject: [3D Memos] Time Limit on Catalog of the Major

 

MEMORANDUM

 

DATE:                        June 21, 2012

 

TO:                 Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Advisors

 

FROM:           George Gehrels, Chair, Undergraduate Council 

                        Celeste F. Pardee, Associate, Curricular Affairs

 

RE:                  Time Limit on Catalog of the Major

 

In response to concerns over degrees awarded for obsolete academic programs
(see examples below), the Undergraduate Council (UGC) proposed an 8-year
expiration date for the Catalog of the undergraduate major.  Students are
expected to complete the requirements for their major within the 8-year
period that their Catalog is available.   The UGC's proposal was approved by
the Faculty Senate on 12/5/11, with an effective term of Fall 2012 for all
incoming, readmitted, and continuing undergraduates.

 

Amended Policy, Time Limits on Catalog of the Undergraduate Major and Course
Work,  <http://catalog.arizona.edu/2012-13/policies/obsoletecrs.htm>
http://catalog.arizona.edu/2012-13/policies/obsoletecrs.htm:  

 

Catalog of the Major.  Each General Catalog has an eight-year expiration
date for the major.  An undergraduate student following the degree
requirements of a major in a given catalog must complete all requirements
within the 8-year window that the catalog is available.   This means that
continuing or readmitted students pursuing degree programs that were
disestablished after the catalog year when they were admitted must complete
the requirements for the disestablished degree program within eight years of
the UA catalog in which the program was last offered.  If a student does not
graduate within this period, the student must select an academic program
that is currently available.  The Catalog of the minor and Catalog of the
General Education curriculum do not expire.

 

Course Work for the Major. In areas of study in which the subject matter
changes rapidly, material in courses taken long before graduation may become
obsolete or irrelevant.  Courses completed over eight years ago may not
apply to the student's current degree program.  Also, additional program
accreditation standards may limit the applicability of courses or degree
requirements to less than eight years.  The major department may approve,
disapprove, or request that students revalidate the substance of such
courses before the out-dated courses are applied toward the current degree
program.  Students whose programs include courses that will be more than 8
years old at the expected time of graduation should consult with their major
department at the earliest opportunity, to determine acceptability of such
courses.

 

Rationale for the Amendment:

.         A few degrees are awarded each year to former or reentry students
who complete their requirements for a UA program that hasn't been offered in
many years and is no longer relevant.  Examples include the BSHS in Exercise
Sciences (last offered in the 1995 Catalog), the BSB in Real Estate (last
offered in the 1992 Catalog), BSA in Food Science (last offered in the 1991
Catalog), BA in Radio-Television (last offered in the 1987 Catalog), and a
BSA in Agri-Mechanics & Irrigation (last offered in the 1984 Catalog).  

.         Obsolete courses and former degree programs do not reflect the
current curriculum and are misleading to employers and graduate schools.  

.         Students are expected to complete their degree during the 8 years
that their catalog is active. 

 

Management of the Policy:

.         Continuing or readmitted students who need more than 8 years to
complete their degree may continue that program in a more recent catalog as
long as the major is offered in that catalog.  

.         Continuing or readmitted students whose initial degree program is
not available after the 8-year catalog limit have other options, such as a
major in a related discipline or the Bachelor of General Studies. 

.         Exceptions to the 8-year time limit, if any, will be handled by
the University's General Petition process. 

 

Questions about the amended policy may be addressed to Celeste Pardee,
Curriculum Associate, at 621-5375, or at  <mailto:cpardee at u.arizona.edu>
cpardee at u.arizona.edu.  

 

 

 

 

 

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