NWCCU MSU Billings Self-Study Report
October 2008
Standard 2.G.1 - Continuing Education and Special Learning Activities
Off-Campus Other Special Programs Providing Academic Credit
The core purpose of MSU Billings is “to assure that all members of the University
community reach their individual potential.” Students pursuing their post-secondary
education in the traditional way are served through five of the six University colleges—
Allied Health Professions, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology.
The College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning is the outreach arm of
the campus. The CPSLL has served as the incubator of Health Administration, a
graduate program that transitioned to the CAHP. The mission of the College of
Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning is:
To respond to the needs of changing academic expectations in higher education.
Specifically, the College was developed to support new ventures and interdisciplinary
programs of study, pursue innovative and entrepreneurial programs, promote lifelong
learning opportunities, and provide a number of University-wide functions. The
educational programs offered through the College are tailored to the economic,
social, and cultural needs of the University’s constituents. The educational activities
may occur on campus, throughout the state of Montana, elsewhere in the United
States, and worldwide.
All programs offered through the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning address the University’s mission of providing students with academic
excellence and exposure to an intellectual community of learners. The College works
in partnership with other colleges and administrative divisions to offer programs that
are designed, approved, administered, and evaluated using established and approved
institutional procedures.
The fundamental challenge is accomplishing the college’s broad mission
statement in a community where the general public does not necessarily understand
or value higher education. To achieve this goal, the college must continually look
for ways to meet the needs of its constituents, needs they may not even realize exist.
The College identifies opportunities, explores niche markets in which the University
has traditionally not engaged and creates original programming designed to extend
University resources into the community. This requires the outreach team to be
actively engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the community at large.
The unique nature of the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning,
coupled with its location in the heart of downtown Billings, affords the College an
opportunity to interact with the community much more intimately than is typical
of the academic colleges. Through its conference center, niche market programming
and community events, the college has made significant progress in positioning the
University as an integral community partner.
Evidence: 1.1 Mission Document
Standard 2.G.2 - Continuing Education Course Offerings
MSU Billings retains responsibility for and control of course offerings,
evaluations of students, and the fiscal integrity of its programs. Established academic
processes of program and course approval are managed by the faculty, department
heads and Deans of the respective colleges. Many of the courses offered through
CPSLL are taught by MSU Billings faculty as part of their regular teaching load, for
extra-compensation or on self-support. The CPSLL serves as the designated fiscal
manager for extra-compensation courses, but individual departments are responsible
for the academic management of these courses. As part of the overall strategic
planning process, CPSLL goals and initiatives align with the University’s Mission to
ensure that ongoing as well as new program initiatives further the mission and goals
of the campus. Contractual arrangements are consistent with Montana Board of
Regents Policy, are recorded and are regularly reviewed.
Evidence:
- 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide;
- 7.13 CPSLL Budget;
- 2.12 Articulation Arrangements
Standard 2.G.3 - Continuing Education Extension Programs
The creation of extension programs results from a process involving full-time
faculty of the appropriate disciplines and fields. In accord with University policy, no
unit other than an academic department is authorized to approve awarding of credit.
Therefore, CPSLL works closely with the faculty, department chairs and deans of the
accrediting college to ensure credit-awarding programs go through a process review
from the proposal stage and design through program evaluations.
Evidence:
- 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide;
- 6.10 By-laws of University Curricular Committees;
- 4.4 CBA/VTEM contract
Standard 2.G.4 - Continuing Education Organization
MSU Billings extension programs are administered through the College of
Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning. The College’s educational programs
are not only compatible with the University’s mission but extend the University’s
mission by making education available to all who seek it through providing access
to training and continuing education opportunities for the region and state via the
following:
- Online Program Delivery (transferred to Colleges delivering the courses/
programs)
- Summer Session
- 2+2 Degree Completion Program (online)
- MetNet and MidRivers ITV
- Educators on Campus
- Kids on Campus
- Continuing Education (university credit, extension credit, and noncredit)
- Personal Enrichment
- Customized Training
- Workforce Development
- Elderhostel
- Senior Academy
- Conferencing Support Services
The College has 14 staff members who, under the direction of the Dean,
coordinate the different sites, programs, courses and outreach efforts undertaken by
CPSLL. The College also has an advisory committee. The purpose of this committee
is to keep the College closely attuned to economic, social, and cultural needs of the
University’s communities and constituents, and assist in ensuring that the programs
and activities of the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning are
productive and of high quality. Currently the committee has representation from
the Billings Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Billings Association, non-profit
organizations, the hospitality industry, the banking industry and faculty members.
Evidence:
- 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide;
- 6.2 Organizational Charts
Standard 2.G.5 - Accessibility of Programs
By combining the commitment to Access and Excellence with technology, students
of electronically-mediated and distance delivery programs (such as 2+2 degree
completion program) are ensured the opportunity to achieve personal, professional
and academic goals. Ready access is provided to learning resources including Library
Services for MSU Billings Online Students, Academic Advising, Financial Aid and
Scholarships, University Bookstore, Career Services and Online Resource Directory.
Additionally, because many faculty have laptops or home computers, interaction
between student and instructor can take place after office hours.
Matching a Montana University System grant with institutional funds, MSU
Billings will pilot an online tutoring program for the 2008-2009 academic year. The
Academic Support Center (ASC) will identify between four and six high-risk courses
and recruit and train tutors to provide help in an online environment. Students will
receive help synchronously through web conferencing software and asynchronously
through email and accessing online tutorials. Online tutoring will be available to all students. This project is ac ollaboration between the ASC staff on the East and West
campus and the E-Learning Hub.
Evidence: 2.28 http://www.msubillings.edu/msubonline
Standard 2.G.6 - Continuing Education Fee Structure
Fee structures for extension offerings differ from those of the main campus.
Extension courses are offered on a self-support basis, bearing all expenses and a
portion of departmental overhead from generated revenues. Consequently, fees are
calculated based on projected expenses, and minimum enrollments are established
and enforced to cover all direct costs associated with course delivery.
Concurrently, the extension program’s refund policy has been developed to
support the self-support model and differs significantly from that of the main
campus, the primary difference being chronology. In order to receive a full refund for
an extension course, participants must cancel their registration two full business days
prior to the start of the course. This policy is clearly articulated to all students at the
time of registration, is included in printed material distributed to enrolled students
and online and is explained in the outreach catalog.
Evidence:
- 7.13 CPSLL Budget;
- 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide
Standard 2.G.7 - Continuing Education Credit Policies
The granting of credit for all continuing education courses is based on a
consistent policy and follows the standard of 15 hours of direct instructional contact
per one semester credit hour. This meets/exceeds the Carnegie units for internships
and practicums. The initial course proposal used to create courses is approved
through academic channels. Each approval includes a course syllabus outlining
course outcomes, schedule and student requirements. The University expects course
instructors to maintain these standards.
Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Instructor Guide
Standard 2.G.8 - Continuing Education Review Procedures
All credit-bearing extension offerings are approved in advance by the appropriate
University department. Each course is reviewed each time it is offered for academic
rigor, student outcomes assessment, and instructor qualifications by the department
chair and dean of the academic college and is approved for delivery by the Provost
and Director of Graduate Studies, if at the graduate level. Additionally, when
appropriate, the department chair will solicit the input of faculty members when
reviewing a new offering.
There are challenges the College encounters with this process. For example,
when a course approval file leaves the CPSLL office, there is no standard time frame
for each step in the process to be completed, and there is no system for tracking
where in the process a file is at any given time. During high volume times like
summer there is an added strain by both the academic colleges and CPSLL to
complete the process in a timely manner. Additionally, the perception of “timely”
varies dramatically between the academic college and the community at large. The
College’s constituents often expect near immediate response to inquiries that can take weeks to navigate through the approval process. These challenges are amplified
when approval is requested of a department that infrequently reviews extension
offerings or departments with turnover at the chair level.
To meet these challenges, CPSLL has worked closely and continually with the
academic units to improve communication. Of particular note is the relationship
that has been forged with the College of Education, which sees the highest volume of
course-approval requests. Key factors of this relationship include dynamic two-way
communication, pre-notification of offerings that fall outside the norm or include
potential red flags, and commitment to timely responses from the department chairs
and the dean. Additionally, the College is currently working with the University’s
Information Technology department to create an electronic system that would allow
this approval process to be significantly streamlined and provide immediate tracking
ability.
Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide
Standard 2.G.9 - Prior Learning Assessment
The University offers students the opportunity to earn credit through
Prior Learning Assessment in accordance with NWCCU Policy 2.3 only at the
undergraduate level. This assessment will take into account work experience or other
learning experiences that can be assessed through the development of a portfolio.
The University offers individual instruction for students throughout the process
of preparing this portfolio. The portfolio is reviewed by the faculty member who
teaches the course and also approved the student for this method of requesting credit
for prior learning. Typically, the faculty member will meet with/interview the student
to authenticate the portfolio. One section of the portfolio requires the student to
submit proof of learning (i.e. certificate of completion).
Evidence:
- 2.11 General Bulletin/COT Catalog;
- 2.5 Graduate Catalog
Standard 2.G.10 - Transfer and Articulation Agreements
MSU Billings maintains Articulation Agreements with two-year regional
institutions to facilitate four-year degree completion by students transferring from
those institutions. Transfer students are held to the same standards of quality as
students who begin their post-secondary education at MSU Billings. The General
Bulletin and COT Catalog specify the number of credits that can be transferred
and policies for credit by examination and limit the number of credits to be earned
toward a Bachelor degree through prior experience. These policies are in compliance
with BOR policies related to transferred credit.
Evidence:
- 2.12 Articulation Agreements;
- BOR Policies and Procedures Manual
(§301.5).
Standard 2.G.11 - Student Learning Assessment
Determinations of student learning and achievement are made only by qualified
faculty. As part of the course-approval process, academic chairs evaluate the learning
outcome measures to establish comparability with traditional instructional practices.
The process of determining student knowledge, skills and competencies may involve the evaluation of portfolios, development of lessons plans, self-assessments, essays or
exams. Credit is awarded only for that which constitutes academically credible and
verifiable University-level learning.
Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide
Standard 2.G.12 - Travel/Course Study Policies
Travel/study courses offer credit through the extension program in conjunction
with a sponsoring academic department and follow the same approval process
as outlined in 2.G.8. Student performance and achievement are expected to be
comparable to similar credit offerings of the sponsoring department.
Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide
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