ATTACHMENT C

Revised 10/24/96

An Approach to Criteria for Transfer Degree Lists

The following criteria are not absolute, but will apply to indicate the decision points for students. By virtue of how they apply to the flow chart, they will identify the criteria for placing degree programs into the different lists. After describing the criteria briefly, they are applied to the "Decision Points for Transfer Students" flow chart.

Draft criteria:

1. Degree program requires more than 120 hours

These programs have been approved by the Arizona Board of Regents for exceptions to the 120-hour minimum requirement. The largest group is the engineering degrees. A complete list of approved degrees will be attached.

2. Multi-semester sequences

These degree programs require a student starting a sequence at least 5 semesters prior to graduation (i.e., requiring a decision prior to the junior year). In the extreme cases, they would be an 8-semester sequence (e.g., calculus for four semesters followed by calculus-based science for four semesters). The number of semesters required moves the degree to different stages on the flow chart.

3. Accreditation requirements dramatically limit student choices

In some programs, accreditation requirements specify a very large number of credits. In cases where that number is more than 60, a student needs to make a decision prior to the junior year. In cases where that number is more than 90, a student must make a decision in his/her first year.

4. Large lower-division block of sequential coursework

Some majors require substantial lower-division coursework that includes two-semester sequences, so students will need to select the major prior to transfer. The student's exact decision point (e.g., 0 to 30 hours) will depend on the point the sequences begin and the number of courses required. For example, business programs on the three main campuses require at least seven lower-division courses and sequences in mathematics and accounting; thus, to finish in a timely fashion, students need to begin their coursework in their first year of courses.

5. Essential lower-division courses are required

Although a degree program may not have an extended sequence of courses, it may require essential courses that are lower-division and cannot be assumed to be taken by an undecided major. The rationale for the "essentiality" of the lower-division courses will need to be prepared by the ATFs for review by APASC.

Application of draft criteria to the flow chart

The criteria for "0 Credits" apply to the decision point for a new student and would help generate lists for TG-X, D, and E (see attached flow chart). The criteria for "30 Credits" apply to the decision point for a "sophomore" and would help generate the lists for AA-S and AS-S. (Note that in this first application, the distinction between AA and AS degrees is implied but not elaborated.)

0 Credits

Criterion 1: 120+ hours

5 year programs

Engineering programs

Nursing programs

Criterion 2: Multi-semester sequences

7 or 8 semester sequences

Criterion 3: Accreditation

(e.g., Nursing)

30 Credits

Criterion 2: Multi-semester sequences: 5 or 6 semester sequences

Criterion 3: Accreditation

Criterion 4: Large lower-division block of sequential coursework

Criterion 5: Essential lower-division courses required

To illustrate the flow chart and the criteria, consider that a student majoring in psychology has three lower-division courses in most universities (i.e., introduction to psychology, research methods, and statistics). Thus, psychology is "flagged" by criterion four. A closer analysis of the degree programs would confirm that a student who transfers with 63 hours without those courses would not be able to complete the major since the three courses are sequential (introduction>statistics>methods) preparation for courses in upper-division. Further, since psychology is a liberal arts degree, it requires second-year proficiency in a second language. Thus, the psychology degree would need to be an AA--including the 35-credit AGEC, language, and the three required lower-division psychology courses (List AA-S).

If the degrees in the colleges of business all require microeconomics and macroeconomics, finite mathematics, calculus, accounting, statistics, and introduction to computer/manage-ment information systems, then they would be flagged by criteria four and five (both essential and sequential courses are required). Further, if the student must complete those courses prior to entering the professional program as a junior, then they need to be com-pleted prior to transfer. The pre-business degree (AAB, Associate of Arts in Business) might then include the 35-credit AGEC and completion of economics, mathematics, and statistics (which at ASU would be 5 classes for 15 credits).