The new rule, 6A-14.094, will allow Florida College System institutions to propose specialized associate in arts transfer degrees that will support students who need supplemental lower-level coursework for admission into ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

6A-14.030Postsecondary Instructional Unit Definitions and Awards in Florida College System Institutions

6A-14.0303General Education Course Options

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The new rule, 6A-14.094, will allow Florida College System institutions to propose specialized associate in arts transfer degrees that will support students who need supplemental lower-level coursework for admission into a university baccalaureate degree program beyond the 60 semester hours required for the general associate in arts degree. The new rule will require colleges to enter into an articulation agreement with the receiving university, modify their institutional policies, procedures, advising practices, catalogs, and reporting mechanisms regarding the new degree type. Colleges that are approved to offer the degree will be required to complete annual reporting. Rules 6A-14.0303 and 6A-14.030 are being amended to include the newly created specialized associate in arts transfer degree among the degrees with general education requirements. Other changes for clarity and consistency will be made to the rule as well.

SUMMARY: A new rule is being created and existing rules are being amended to add the SAAT degree as a new degree type. Other technical changes for clarity and consistency will be made to the rule as well.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: This proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of this rule. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (2)(n), (6)(c), (6)(d)3., 1001.03(12), 1004.91, 1004.93, 1007.25(3), (9), 1007.55, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1001.03(12), 1004.02, 1004.91, 1004.93, 1007.25, 1007.55, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd, Suwannee 18/19/20, Orlando, FL 32819.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mike Sfiropoulos, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Division of Florida Colleges, Department of Education, [phone] or email [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

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 Link or from the Division at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399.

(a) Form No. SAAT-1, Notice of Intent (NOI), (DOS Link), effective August 2024.

(b) Form No. SAAT-2, Proposal Application, (DOS Link), effective August 2024.

(c) Form No. SAAT-3, Articulation Agreement, (DOS Link), effective August 2024.

(d) Form No. SAAT-4, Student and Program Performance Report, (DOS Link), effective August 2024.

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

 

6A-14.030 Postsecondary Instructional Unit Definitions and Awards in Florida College System Institutions.

Florida College System institutions are authorized to provide instruction and to confer degrees, certificates, and diplomas only as prescribed herein. Any Florida College System institution degree program, certificate, or diploma program shall be offered at the standard credit hour length, established and approved by the State Board of Education. The courses within the programs identified in the subsections below shall be submitted to the Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement in the Department of Education.

(1) No change.

(2) Bachelor’s degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to seek State Board of Education approval to provide programs of instruction consisting of upper division college credit courses to prepare for entry into employment, pursuant to Section 1007.33, F.S. The bachelor’s degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of one hundred and twenty (120) college credits, unless otherwise approved by the State Board of Education, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements to include demonstration of competency in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262, F.S., and demonstration of civic literacy competency pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), F.S. The bachelor’s degree must include thirty-six (36) college credits of general education coursework and foreign language competence.

(3) Associate in arts degree. Each Florida College System institution shall provide the program of arts or general instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses. The associate in arts degree is a transfer degree and a basis for admission to a bachelor’s degree. The associate in arts degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of sixty (60) college credits after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements to include demonstration of competency in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262, F.S., and demonstration of civic literacy competency pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), F.S. The associate in arts degree must include thirty-six (36) college credits of general education coursework.

(4) Specialized associate in arts transfer degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to seek State Board of Education approval to provide specialized associate in arts transfer degree programs pursuant to s. 1007.25, F.S. Specialized associate in arts transfer degrees are designed for Florida College System institution students who need lower-level coursework beyond the sixty (60) credits required for the general associate in arts degree for admission to a bachelor’s degree program. The specialized associate in arts transfer degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of at least sixty (60) college credits after the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements to include demonstration of competency in a foreign language pursuant to s. 1007.262, F.S., and demonstration of civic literacy competency pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), F.S. The specialized associate in arts transfer degree must include thirty-six (36) college credits of general education coursework.

(5) (4) Associate in science degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses to prepare for entry into employment. The associate in science degree is a transfer degree and a basis for admission to a related bachelor’s degree. The associate in science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction comprised of the standard credit hour length established, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements to include demonstration of civic literacy competency pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), F.S. The standard credit hour length of all associate in science degree programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C. The associate in science degree must include a minimum of fifteen (15) college credits of general education coursework.

(6) (5) Associate in applied science degree. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of lower division college credit courses to prepare for entry into employment. The associate in applied science degree shall be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction comprised of the standard credit hour length established, after demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements to include demonstration of civic literacy competency pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), F.S. The standard credit hour length of all associate in applied science degree programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C. The associate in applied science degree must include a minimum of fifteen (15) college credits of general education coursework.

(7) (6) A Technical Certificate (College Credit Certificate). Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of less than sixty (60) college credits which are part of an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree program and prepare students for entry into employment. The standard credit hour length of all technical certificate programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(8) (7) An Applied Technology Diploma. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction that are part of an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree, that are less than sixty (60) credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation. An applied technology diploma program may consist of either clock hours or college credit. The standard credit hour length of all applied technology diploma programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(9) (8) An Advanced Technical Certificate. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of nine (9) hours or more but less than forty-five (45) college credits of lower division and/or upper division courses. Florida College System institutions offering advanced technical certificates with upper division courses must be approved to offer baccalarueate programs containing those courses. An advanced technical certificate may be awarded to students who have already received an associate in science degree or an associate in applied science degree and are seeking an advanced specialized program of instruction to supplement their associate degree.

(10) (9) Certificate of Professional Preparation. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide college-level professional instruction, consisting of not less than nine (9) and not more than thirty (30) college or institutional credits of courses and course equivalent modules to prepare baccalaureate degree holders for licensure, certification, credentialing, examinations, or other demonstrations of competency necessary for entry into professional occupations.

(11) (10) Career and Technical Certificate. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide programs of career and technical instruction consisting of clock hour courses to prepare for entry into employment. Upon satisfactory completion of a planned program of instruction, after the demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, the career and technical certificate shall be awarded. The standard clock hour length of all career and technical certificate programs as defined in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(12) (11) Continuing Workforce Education. Each Florida College System institution may provide noncredit continuing workforce education instruction tailored to individual needs and designed to improve job performance.

(13) (12) High school diploma. Each Florida College System institution with responsibility for adult basic and adult secondary instruction, shall provide adult basic and adult secondary instruction as defined in Section 1004.02, F.S. Upon satisfactory completion of a planned high school program, after the demonstration of the attainment of predetermined and specified performance requirements, the high school diploma shall be awarded.

(14) (13) Developmental instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide, according to the needs of its students, basic instruction to provide degree seeking students who wish to enroll in college credit courses with additional academic preparation determined to be needed pursuant to Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C. Satisfactory completion of such instruction shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called developmental credit.

(15) (14) English for Academic Purposes. Each Florida College System institution is authorized to provide, according to the needs of its students, instruction that provides English Language Learners with essential language and academic preparation necessary to enroll in college credit instruction in Communications. Satisfactory completion of such instruction shall be recognized by the award of units of measure called institutional credit (0100-0400 series pursuant to the Statewide Course Numbering System EAP taxonomy) or college credit (1500-1600 series pursuant to the Statewide Course Numbering System EAP taxonomy).

(16) (15) Lifelong learning instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide noncredit instructional activities to address community social and economic issues related to health and human relations, government, parenting, consumer economics, and senior citizens.

(17) (16) Recreational and leisure time instruction. Each Florida College System institution shall provide noncredit instructional activities to develop recreational or leisure time skills.

(18) (17) These provisions shall not prevent Florida College System institutions from conferring honorary degrees, certificates, or diplomas, in accordance with the Florida College System board of trustees policy.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), (6)(c), (d), 1001.03(12), 1004.91, 1004.93, 1007.25(9) FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1001.03(12), 1004.02, 1004.91, 1004.93, 1007.25 FS. History–12-19-74, Formerly 6A-8.50, Amended 8-27-84, 8-29-85, Formerly 6A-14.30, Amended 5-14-91, 11-10-92, 5-2-95, 2-13-96, 12-30-99, 5-3-01, 7-20-04, 6-20-07, 3-25-13, 6-23-16, 6-20-17,

 

6A-14.0303 General Education Course Options.

(1) No change.

(2) General education core courses. Courses listed in this subsection implement the required principles, standards and content in accordance with s. 1007.55, F.S. Prior to the award of an associate in arts degree, specialized associate in arts transfer degree, or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System institution in the Fall Term, 2015, and thereafter must complete at least one (1) course from each of the general education subject areas listed in this section. Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter, students entering associate in science or associate in applied science, degree programs must complete at least one (1) course from each of the general education subject areas listed in this section prior to the awarding of their degree.

(a) through (f) No change.

(3) Other means by which students can satisfy general education core course requirements.

(a) A student who has completed an associate in arts degree, specialized associate in arts transfer degree, or baccalaureate degree conferred by a Florida College System institution or state university is considered to have met general education requirements, including requirements for general education core courses.

(b) through (e) No change.

(4) No change.

(5) Institutional general education course offerings implementation and reporting. The remaining courses and credits, in addition to the core course options, to fulfill the total 36-hour general education requirement for an associate in arts degree, specialized associate in arts transfer degree, and baccalaureate degrees are provided by each Florida College System institution and approved by the State Board of Education in accordance with this rule. An institution may not require a student to take an additional course to meet a subject area requirement that was completed by the student with a course that has since been removed as a general education course.

(a) through (d) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), (6)(d)3., 1007.25(3), 1007.55 FS. Law Implemented 1007.25(3), 1007.55 FS. History‒New 5-18-14, Amended 11-23-21, 2-21-23, 2-20-24,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mike Sfiropoulos, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Division of Florida Colleges

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 26, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 20, 2024