OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OR REAPPROVAL OF INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR IN-STATE INSTITUTIONS Effective October 8, 2013 The attached form, properly completed and with supporting documentation, shall serve as an application for approval (licensure or accreditation) under the provisions of Section 10a-34 of the General Statutes of Connecticut. The application must be filed at least nine months in advance of the date for which approval to operate is requested. For guidance, please review the State of Connecticut Regulations For Licensure and Accreditation of Institutions and Programs of Higher Education. The application should be used by any post-secondary institution which falls into one of the following categories: Initial licensure of a Connecticut independent non- profit or for-profit institution. Initial accreditation of a Connecticut independent non-profit or for-profit institution. Reaccreditation of a Connecticut independent institution which is not regionally accredited. Initial licensure of a new degree level or substantive change to mission at an existing post-secondary institution. A hard copy and an electronic version of the completed application should be submitted with a cover letter to the following: Each copy must include the following materials: Patricia Santoro, Director of Academic Affairs Office of Higher Education 61 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105-2326 Email: psantoro@ctohe.org A copy of the institution s articles of incorporation, constitution, by-laws, or other operating documents. A completed Circulation Document and Program Licensure Application for each academic program (if initial licensure is sought). The current catalog (a draft catalog is acceptable in the case of a new institutional application), the academic calendar, a copy of the student handbook, and a copy of the faculty policy manual. A copy of any advertisements, brochures, or promotional items currently in use or planned for use in the near future. A copy of the institution s strategic plan. An audited annual financial statement for the institution including any management letters (and a certified budget for the activity in Connecticut in the case of a branch operation). A copy of the most recent letter of approval (notification) from the regional accrediting association (if not a Connecticut Institution). A description of the institutional approval process for new academic programs. 1
Office of Higher Education Institution: Street Address: City: State: Zip code: Institutional Accreditation (if any). Include date of last action: Non-Profit or Proprietary: Website: Official Contact: Title: E-mail: Phone: Other locations: OBJECTIVES (See 10a-34-10) 1. Provide the mission and the vision of the institution. 2. How often is the mission reviewed and by whom? 3. Describe the clientele to be served by the institution (students, employers, professional groups, etc.). 4. To what extent is the institution involved in cooperative programs with other institutions? Explain how these efforts relate to the purposes of the institution. ADMINISTRATION (See 10a-34-11) 5. Describe the type of ownership, control, and legal organization of the institution. Please indicate where this information is publicly stated. 6. Demonstrate that there is an institutional governing board such as a board of directors or a board of trustees. Indicate how board members are appointed and describe the terms and conditions of their appointment (length of terms, provision of overlapping terms, procedures and criteria for removal etc.). Provide written documents that outline the powers and duties of this board. 2
7. Complete the following table for the governing board. Board Members Name Date of first appointment Appointment term Occupation Annual Compensation as Board Member (if any) Represent Public Interest (y/n) 8. Describe the extent to which the board, the president, other chief administrators, and the faculty, respectively, participate in the formulation of educational policies. 9. Provide the written documentation in which the powers and duties of the chief executive officer are outlined. Include documentation describing the roles and responsibilities of all other chief administrator positions. Demonstrate that there is a distinction among the roles and personnel of the board and the administration to ensure the appropriate separation of these functions. 10. Complete the following table for the chief executive officer and chief administrators of the institution. Administration Name of Administrator Title Date assumed position Highest degree earned/ institution Experience relevant to current position Teaching Assignments (courses and hours / week) 3
11. Describe the institution s process for planning and evaluation, including how (a) goals and objectives are established, (b) resources are allocated to achieve these goals and objectives, and (c) progress is evaluated toward meeting targeted goals. FINANCE (See 10a-34-12) 12. State in itemized form (a) the receipts of the institution last year, (b) its expenditures, and (c) its current financial resources. Explain, if necessary. 13. Provide a budget that identifies support for each program. 14. Certify that the financial records of the institution are maintained in such form that evaluation of its financial status is possible at any time, that there is an annual financial statement which is audited annually by an independent public accountant authorized to practice under Chapter 389 of the General Statutes or by a state auditor, and that copies of financial statements and audit reports shall be made available at the time of each institutional evaluation and otherwise upon request. 15. List the name of the chief financial officer of the institution, giving (a) the preparation by education (institutions and degrees) and experience for his work and (b) his/her involvement with the operation of the institution s educational facilities and program. FACULTY (See 10a-34-13) 16. Complete the following table for faculty members who will be teaching in each program: Name of Faculty Member PT/ Department Highest degree earned/ Field Average credit load/ semester Expertise/ relevant experience Administrative assignments/ other duties 17. For each vacant or proposed position, provide title, position qualifications and proposed date of appointment. 4
18. Describe the faculty role in governance of the institution. 19. Describe the methods of supervising inexperienced or new teachers. CURRICULA AND INSTRUCTION (See 10a-34-15 & 16) 20. For each academic program provide the intended student learning outcomes, and describe how learning materials and experiences are used by the faculty to evaluate these outcomes. Program Evaluation of Student Learning Name of Student learning outcomes program Evaluation methods 5
21. For undergraduate programs list general education requirements and describe advising or other functions that assist students in completing the requirements as well as in integrating what they learn in general education experiences into their overall academic programs. 22. Describe how the institution defines a credit hour, including the expected amount of time a student must spend in and out of class to earn one credit hour. Where is this information published? 23. What are the institutions policies for (a) transfer of credit and (b) awarding credit for prior educational experiences? 24. Indicate any requirements and arrangements for clinical affiliations, internships, and practicum or work experience. Describe how these will be administered, how students will be evaluated and how appropriate credits will be assigned. RESOURCE CENTERS AND LIBRARIES (See 10a-34-18) 25. Provide an overview of the holdings in the institutional library by including the number of print volumes, electronic books, print/microform serial subscriptions, full-text electronic journals, and microforms. Describe any arrangements the institution has to provide students access to library materials beyond the holdings at the institution. 26. List the names and professional qualifications, including degrees and other preparation of all full-time and part-time librarians who are employed. 27. What is the average annual appropriation for purchase of new library resources, e.g., periodicals, etc.? What is the average annual expenditure per full-time student? ADMISSION, STUDENT PERSONNEL, AND GRADUATION POLICIES (See 10a-34, 17 & 21) 28. Complete the following table describing the composition of the student body of your institution: Enrollment Program Name Degree level Fall 20 PT Fall 20 PT Fall 20 PT Total 29. Describe the requirements for admission to the college/university and into specialized programs. What are the policies and requirements for academic achievement to remain enrolled in good standing? 30. Describe the student services of the institution including counseling, advising, health services, registration, financial aid, career services, special needs, and tutoring services.
31. Include the minimum number and level of credits which must be earned from this institution for each degree level or program. Also include a description of the institution s residency requirement(s). What are the requirements, e.g., number of semester hours of college-level work completed, theses, oral or written examinations, performance tests, etc., for awarding the associate degree? Bachelor s degree? Graduate degree? STUDENT AND ALUMNI RECORDS (See 10a-34-22) 32. What records are available concerning (a) college admissions, including official transcripts from secondary schools and other institutions or colleges; (b) cumulative records for individual students of the results of achievement and intelligence tests, college grades, participation in extracurricular activities, etc.? Explain their location and accessibility. 33. Describe the policies on tuition, fees, refunds and other financial policies for full-time and part-time students. To what extent do official student records clearly indicate an amount of money paid and balances due from students for tuition, fees, and other charges? 34. What alumni records and other evidence are available concerning activities and achievements of grades, their occupational employment, or advanced or post-graduate study and other institutions to which students transfer? Explain their location and accessibility. PHYSICAL PLANT AND FACILITIES (See 10a-34-19) 35. Describe the facilities available for student use. Include verification (in terms of current certification) of the institution s compliance with all pertinent local, state and federal laws and regulations relating to fire, safety, health and access for the handicapped. 36. Describe the facilities for administrative offices, faculty offices, and clerical and supportive services. CERTIFICATION 37. Provide certification that program and institutional hiring and admission practices are in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and orders; and that the institution will operate under the provisions of approved non-discrimination plans, including consideration for women and minorities and accessibility for the handicapped. TIME SCHEDULE AND AUTHORIZATIONS 38. Indicate any specialized approval, licensure or accreditation, by any agency other than the Office of Higher Education to the extent that it is related to each program in Connecticut. 7