6A-14.094. Site Determined Specialized Associate in Arts Transfer Degree Access

(1) Purpose. This rule implements a uniform submission, approval, and compliance process for specialized associate in arts transfer degree programs proposed and offered by Florida College System institutions in accordance with Section (s.) 1007.25(9), Florida Statutes (F.S.). The specialized associate in arts transfer degree program will allow for a seamless transfer into specific university degree programs that require an associate in arts (AA) degree seeking student to go beyond the sixty (60) credit hours required for the general AA degree for admission to specific baccalaureate degree programs.

(2) Definitions.

(a) “College” means an institution within the Florida College System.

(b) “Completed proposal” means a college’s final submission of a specialized associate in arts transfer degree program proposal to the Division for consideration by the State Board of Education.

(c) “Division” means the Division of Florida Colleges.

(d) “Initial proposal” means a college’s first submission of a specialized associate in arts transfer degree program proposal to the Division for review.

(e) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree is hereby defined as stated in Rule 6A-14.030(4), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

(3) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree program notice of intent (NOI). To provide colleges and state universities with preliminary information regarding the proposed specialized associate in arts transfer degree program, a college seeking consideration of approval by the State Board of Education for a new specialized associate in arts transfer degree program must first complete and submit an NOI form, Form No. SAAT-01, in accordance with the requirements specified in s. 1007.25(9)(b)1., F.S.

(a) A college may submit an NOI at any time, and the NOI shall remain valid for two (2) years from its receipt by the Division.

(b) If the initial proposal is not received within two (2) years of receipt of the NOI, the college must begin the proposal process anew, beginning with submission of a new NOI.

(c) Upon receipt of the NOI, the Division shall have ten (10) business days to forward the NOI to all colleges and to the Chancellor of the State University System, who shall forward the NOI to all state universities.

(4) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree program comment period.

(a) After receipt of the NOI, colleges and state universities shall have sixty (60) calendar days to submit comments to the proposed specialized associate in arts transfer degree program.

(b) Comments must be submitted to the president of the proposing college and to the chancellor of the Florida College System at [e-mail].

(c) Colleges shall have an opportunity to provide a response to comments received by state universities as part of the initial proposal application.

(5) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree program proposal application. A college seeking consideration of approval by the State Board of Education for a new specialized associate in arts transfer degree program must complete and submit the specialized associate in arts transfer degree program proposal form, Form No. SAAT-02, in accordance with the criteria specified in s. 1007.25(9)(b)3., F.S.

(a) Upon receipt of an initial proposal, the Division shall review the proposal to determine compliance with criteria in s. 1007.25(9)(b)3., F.S., and other information requested on the proposal form including but not limited to an articulation agreement, Form No. SAAT-03, between the college and state university for graduates of the specialized associate in arts transfer degree program.

(b) Based on the review of the initial proposal, within thirty (30) calendar days, the Division shall notify the college of any deficiencies. The college shall be required to submit a revised, completed proposal application, which addresses deficiencies identified by the Division, to proceed with the request to offer the specialized associate in arts transfer degree program. There is no specified timeline for the college to address the deficiencies and submit the completed proposal.

(c) Unless the proposal is withdrawn by the college, the Division shall forward the completed proposal application, including all related documentation, to the Commissioner of Education with a written analysis.

(d) After receipt of a completed proposal, the Commissioner of Education shall have forty-five (45) days to recommend approval or disapproval to the State Board of Education for its consideration.

(6) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree program student and program performance reporting.

(a) Each college with one (1) or more specialized associate in arts transfer degree programs shall annually submit one specialized associate in arts transfer degree program reporting form, Form SAAT-04, for each active specialized associate in arts transfer degree program.

(b) Annually, the Division shall notify the colleges of the due date for specialized associate in arts transfer degree program reports at least sixty (60) days prior to the due date.

(7) Incorporated documents. The following forms are hereby incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. Copies may be obtained at Division of Florida Colleges Webpage (https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/administrators/saat.stml) or from the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399.

(a) Form No. SAAT-1, Notice of Intent (NOI), (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16836), effective August 2024.

(b) Form No. SAAT-2, Proposal Application, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16837), effective August 2024.

(c) Form No. SAAT-3, Articulation Agreement, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16838), effective August 2024.

(d) Form No. SAAT-4, Student and Program Performance Report, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16839), effective August 2024.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1007.25(9)(e) FS. Law Implemented 1007.25 FS. History–New 8-27-24.