FR 4.4 Program Length

Program length is appropriate for each of the institution's educational programs.

Compliance                     ___ Non-Compliance

Narrative 

The length of each graduate and undergraduate educational program at SSU is appropriate. 

SSU Undergraduate Programs

The length of the various degree programs offered by Savannah State University is consistent with baccalaureate programs at universities across the nation, according to the StudyUSA's website, Understanding the American Education System. New programs conform to these expectations. SSU requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, exclusive of the required health, physical education, and freshman orientation courses per the University Catalog (General Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree).

All undergraduate students are required to complete the core curriculum requirements established for all universities in the Georgia system according to the BOR Academic and Student Affairs Handbook (2.4 - Core Curriculum). This core curriculum consists of sixty-five hours (including the health, physical education, and freshman orientation courses). The BOR designates core curriculum areas and specifies the number of hours required in each area, but allows the University flexibility in designing courses other than those deemed "critical skills courses."

SSU Graduate Programs

The length of graduate programs at SSU varies, ranging from 30 credit hours for the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Marine Sciences to 60 credit hours for the Master of Social Work, as described on program web sites on the Savannah State University web site. These program lengths conform to generally accepted practices in similar programs. Program length in the accredited graduate programs conforms to the expectations of the accrediting bodies.

University System of Georgia Requirements:

Requirements for the length of the degree programs at Savannah State University are aligned with the standards of the University System of Georgia (USG), which is governed by the Board of Regents.  The Board of Regents (BOR) Academic Affairs Handbook (2.6 - Degree) specifies the following requirements:

• 120 hours for a Baccalaureate degree
• 36 hours for a Master's degree

In addition to the number of semester hours in each program comprising the core curriculum, Area F courses appropriate to the major, and upper-division course work in the major, each USG institution has the latitude to add institutional options, and SSU has opted to include five semester hours to each undergraduate degree program, making most of the undergraduate degree programs 125 semester credit hours.

As indicated in Table 4.4a: Credit Hours of Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs at SSU below, with a few exceptions, the undergraduate and graduate programs at SSU conform to University System of Georgia (USG) policy with regard to program length. SSU offers the Associate of Science degree with tracks in Aquarium Science; Engineering Studies; General Science and Technology; Health Science; and Pre-Physics requiring 65 semester credit hours.

The Bachelor of Science degree programs in Engineering Technology, namely Civil Engineering Technology (133 semester hours); Computer Science Technology (127-128 semester hours); and Electronics Engineering Technology (133 semester hours), are professional programs that are accredited by ABET, and require additional semester hours to complete the programs.  

Table 4.4a: Credit Hours of Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs at SSU

Conclusion

As indicated in the narrative above and the supporting documentation, program length is appropriate for each of the educational programs offered by Savannah State University.

Sources

      BOR Academic Affairs Handbook - 2.6 Degrees

      BOR Academic and Student Affairs Handbook  - 2.4 Core Curriculum

      Savannah State University Catalog - General Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

      ABET Accreditation Website

      Savannah State University Graduate Studies Website - Master of Science in Marine Sciences

      Savannah State University Graduate Studies Website - Master of Social Work

      Savannah State University Graduate Studies Website -  Master of Business Administration

      Civil Engineering Technology Degree Program Grid

      Computer Science Technology Degree Program Grid

      Electronics Engineering Technology Degree Program Grid

      StudyUSA – Understanding the American Education System