Substantive Change Proposal Programs/Certificates Completed 50 Percent or More through Distance Education Submitted by: College of Alameda 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway Alameda, CA 94501 Submitted to: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges September 8, 2015 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORT: DISTANCE EDUCATION Table of Contents A. OVERVIEW OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE ..................................................................................... 3 1. Brief Description of the Proposed Change ............................................................................................ 3 2. Relationship to Institutional Mission ................................................................................................... 5 3. Rationale for the Request ..................................................................................................................... 6 B. DESCRIPTION OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND DELIVERY MODE ........................ 11 1. Educational Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 11 2. Program Meets Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards, and Commission Policies Related to Student Learning Programs and Services and Resources .................................................................. 12 C. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS ......................................................................... 16 1. Relationship to the Institution’s Planning, Evaluation and Stated Mission ........................................ 16 2. Assessment of Needs and Resources ................................................................................................. 22 3. Anticipated Effect on the Institution .................................................................................................. 22 4. Intended Benefits ............................................................................................................................... 22 5. Preparation and Planning Processes to Support Distance Education: History, Preparation, and Planning Process .................................................................................................................................... 23 D. EVIDENCE OF ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT A QUALITY DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM ..................................................................................................................... 25 1. Adequate and Accessible Student Support Services .......................................................................... 25 2. Sufficient and Qualified Faculty, Management and Support Staffing ............................................... 27 3. Professional Development for Faculty and Staff ............................................................................... 30 4. Appropriate Equipment and Facilities ............................................................................................... 31 5. Sustainable Fiscal Resources ............................................................................................................. 31 6. Comparative Analysis of Budget, Enrollment, and Resources .......................................................... 32 COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA Page 1 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORT: DISTANCE EDUCATION 7. Plan for Monitoring Achievement of the Desired Outcomes ............................................................. 32 8. Evaluation and Assessment of Student Success, Retention, and Completion .................................... 32 E. EVIDENCE OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL APPROVALS ................................................... 34 F. EVIDENCE OF CONTINUED FULFILLMENT OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ......... 35 G. EVIDENCE OF CONTINUED FULFILLMENT OF ACCREDITATION STANDARDS ........ 56 Standard I – Institutional Mission and Effectiveness ............................................................................. 56 Standard II – Student Learning Programs and Services ......................................................................... 57 Standard III – Resources ........................................................................................................................ 61 Standard IV – Leadership and Governance ........................................................................................... 65 H. APPENDICES ..................................................................................................................................... 67 COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA Page 2 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORT: DISTANCE EDUCATION A. Concise Description of Proposed Change 1. Brief Description of the Proposed Change The purpose of this Substantive Change Proposal for Distance Education (DE) is to increase the availability of College of Alameda distance education offerings by seeking ACCJC approval of programs for which over 50% of the requirements can be completed via DE including: twenty active degree programs and four active certificate programs The courses included in these degree and certificate programs have been approved by the College’s Curriculum Committee; Council on Instruction, Planning and Development (CIPD); Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees (governing board); and California Community College Chancellor’s Office. College of Alameda has reported this information regularly in its Annual Report to ACCJC. The College has three degrees and one certificate that students can theoretically complete 100%- online. This is due to the curriculum practice of including a DE addendum for courses, where pedagogically appropriate, during curriculum review process. This gives the College flexibility to plan future offerings in multiple teaching modalities. Due to intentional scheduling practices, courses have not been offered to enable students to complete a degree or certificate 100%-online. The chart below illustrates the number of degrees and certificates offered 100%-online and greater than 50%-online. An annotated degree and certificate outline is included as an appendix highlights the individual courses able to be offered in DE modality. Degrees Certificates 100% Online 3 1 50% or Greater Online 17 3 This proposal for substantive change of programs at College of Alameda (the College) is being submitted to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to seek approval to offer the following Associate Degrees and Certificates 50% or more in a distance education delivery format: [Appendix AE: Annotated Degree and Certificate Outlines] COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA Page 3 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORT: DISTANCE EDUCATION Certificates of Achievement • Business: Accounting Certificate • Business: Office Administration Certificate • Computer Information Systems Certificate • Liberal Studies: CSU Breadth [100% Online] Associate Degrees • Business Associate of Arts • English Associate of Arts • History Associate of Arts • Humanities Associate of Arts • Liberal Arts: Art and Humanities Associate of Arts [100% Online] • Liberal Arts: Natural Sciences Associate of Arts [100% Online] • Liberal Arts: Social And Behavioral Sciences Associate of Arts [100% Online] • Liberal Arts: Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Associate of Arts • Mathematics Associates of Arts • Political Science Associate of Arts • Psychology Associate of Arts • Sociology Associate of Arts Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) • Business Associate of Science in Transfer • Communication Studies Associate of Arts in Transfer • English Associate of Arts in Transfer • History Associate of Art in Transfer • Mathematics Associate of Arts in Transfer • Political Science Associate of Arts in Transfer • Psychology Associate of Arts in Transfer • Sociology Associate of Arts in Transfer COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA Page 4 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORT: DISTANCE EDUCATION 2. Relationship to Institutional Mission The College’s mission statement is as follows: The Mission of College of Alameda is to serve the educational needs of its diverse community by providing comprehensive and flexible programs and resources that empower students to achieve their goals. The College’s distance education offerings are aligned with its vision and mission. Our mission reflects an engaging teaching and learning environment for students of diverse origins, experiences, needs, abilities, and goals. As a comprehensive community college, we support and encourage students who are pursuing transfer-readiness, general education, foundational (basic) skills, career and technical training, aesthetic and cultural enrichment, and lifelong education. We are committed to helping our students achieve the learning outcomes necessary to contribute as individuals and global citizens living responsibly, effectively, and creatively in an interdependent and ever-changing world. The College fulfills its vision and mission by offering a comprehensive array of programs and student support services. As well, our mission aligns with student goals. Students can earn certificates or degrees in career and technical fields, prepare for transfer, and address basic skills needs. The specific programs that can be offered at more than 50% through DE align with the mission of the College and student goals. With the increasing diversity and needs of our student population, it is critical that we offer a variety of instructional delivery formats to ensure both access and student success. Offering courses and programs at a distance is consistent with our Mission Statement, which indicates