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4.4 Program Length

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

Judgement of Compliance:

Compliance

Narrative:

The length of each degree program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is determined by University and discipline-specific requirements. As stated in the Undergraduate Catalog, baccalaureate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credit hours. Each description of major requirements lists the credit hours required.
However, additional hours are required in six (6) programs due to accreditation requirements and state Department of Education or licensure requirements.   The UT Board of Trustees requires a justification for any undergraduate program over 120 hours. These majors, the required semester credit hours, and the accrediting bodies or organizations that require specific courses, competencies, or experiences that necessitate exceeding 120 hours are listed below:

Program

Semester Credit Hours

Justification

B.M. Music
     Theory and Composition
     Vocal Performance

 

122
124

National Assn. of Schools of
Music (NASM)

B.M. Music Education
     Instrumental
     Vocal

 

136
135

NASM

TN Regulations for certification of teachers

B.S.
     Chemical Engineering
     Civil Engineering
     Environmental Engineering                 
     Industrial Engineering

 

128 (co-op 138)
128 (co-op 138)
128 (co-op 138)
128 (co-op 138)

ABET

 

     Electrical Engineering
     Mechanical Engineering

128 (co-op 138)
128 (co-op 138)

ABET

B.S. Eng. Technology Mgt.

127

ABET

B.S. Computer Science
     Computer Engineering

128

ABET

Graduate programs at UTC require a minimum of 30 credit hours, although most master’s and doctoral programs require additional hours due to accreditation or professional standards, or the requirement of a culminating experience.


Graduate Program

Semester Hour Requirement

MAcc Accounting

30

MSAT Athletic Training

56

MBA Business Administration

36

MS Criminal Justice

36

MS Environmental Science

30

MS Math

36

MS Psychology
Organizational
Industrial

 

48
36

MS Computer Science

36

MA English

33

MS Engineering

30

MS Engineering Management

36

MS Health and Human Performance

45

MM Music

33

MPA Public Administration

36

EMBA Executive Business Administration

36

MEd Counseling

48

MEd Elementary Education

36

MEd  School Leadership

33

MEd Secondary Education

36

MEd Special Education

36

MSN Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia

 

48-53
59-64

EdS Advanced Educational Practice
Instructional Leadership
School Psychology

 

30
66

EdD Learning and Leadership

66

DPT Physical Therapy
Professional
Transitional (Post-Professional)

 

120
30

PhD Computational Engineering

72
All program and curricular decisions are made as a result of best practices research, professional requirements, and academic integrity.  UTC aims for each program to include the highest level of achievement within the discipline and to graduate students adequately prepared for work in their chosen fields.  Each program’s length is appropriate to this institutional goal.

Documentation:

  1. Undergraduate Catalog: Total credit hours
    http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Records/UndergraduateCatalog0910/068_0910UGCatalog.php

  2. National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
    http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/

  3. Office of Teacher Licensure, Tennessee State regulations for certification of teachers
    http://www.state.tn.us/education/lic/

  4. ABET
    http://www.abet.org/

  5. Graduate Catalog, p. 28
    http://www.utc.edu/catalogs/Graduate/GraduateCatalog-2009-10.pdf

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09/10/10 04:52:46 PM (EDT)