| Eren Johnson | Professor and Associate Dean College of Education and Applied Science |
| David Henderson | Executive Chair Professor of Education |
| John Schwetman | Editor Professor of English |
| Jennifer Brimm | Student |
| David Burris | Professor of Computing Science Coordinator, Computing Science Program |
| James Casey | Professor of Agriculture |
| William Green | Professor of Economics Chair, Department of Economics and Business Analysis |
| Beverly Irby | Associate Professor of Education |
| Robert Lane | Professor of Agriculture Chair, Department of Agricultural Sciences |
| Dennis Longmire | Professor of Criminal Justice |
| Mary Plishker | Associate Professor of Chemistry Chair, Department of Chemistry |
| Wes Sanders | Associate Professor of Mathematics |
INTRODUCTION
FINDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONTINUING EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND SERVICE PROGRAMS
4.6 CONTINUING EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND SERVICE PROGRAMS
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
CORRESPONDENCE COURSE DIVISION
STUDY ABROAD
ACADEMICALLY CREDITED OFF-CAMPUS COURSES
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.6
COMPLIANCE TABLE: SECTION 4.6
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.6
Under the heading of "Public Service," the University Mission Statement affirms that the University acknowledges its responsibility to serve as the nucleus for the cultural and intellectual development of students and members of the community outside the framework of formal coursework. To provide this service, the University seeks to:
Provide services such as continuing adult education, correspondence courses, institutes, conferences, and services to educational, business, community, and social organizations. (1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue 93-94)
How the University fulfills that part of the mission statement is the subject of this section of the self-study report, an investigation of continuing education, correspondence courses, study abroad, and academically credited off-campus courses.
In the report which follows, the Committee on Continuing Education, Outreach, and Service Programs addresses "must" statements from Section 4.6 of the SACS Criteria for Accreditation and, in the order in which the statements appear in the Criteria, reports on the University’s compliance or noncompliance with these imperatives. Following the "must" statements and findings, the Committee makes recommendations and/or offers suggestions, according to the University’s compliance status.
The information for this section of the report was collected by examining University records and other pertinent documents, and by interviewing appropriate administrators, faculty, and staff. Throughout the process, the members of the Committee met with unfailing courtesy and willingness to assist from members of the University community.
1. Continuing education and outreach and service programs must be clearly related to the purpose of the institution (Criteria 41).
2. All continuing education programs, both credit and non-credit, must be evaluated regularly (Criteria 41).
3. All continuing education and outreach and service programs offered for credit must comply with the requirements of the Criteria, and with Section IV in particular (Criteria 41).
4. For non-credit continuing education programs, the institution should follow national guidelines for the recording of Continuing Education Units (Criteria 41).
5. For outreach and service programs, an institution must provide the resources and services necessary to support the programs and must evaluate the programs regularly (Criteria 41).
The Committee on Continuing Education, Outreach, and Service Programs determined that Sam Houston State University complies with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria.
In addressing the criteria, the Committee investigated continuing education programs, correspondence courses, study abroad programs, and academically credited off-campus courses. Its findings in each of these areas follow.
Continuing Education Programs
The Office of Continuing Education supports the SHSU public service mission ("to serve as the nucleus for the cultural and intellectual development of students and members of the community outside the framework of formal coursework") in a variety of ways:
Offering a wide variety of programs designed to fulfill the continuing education requirements of service professionals, including health and human service providers, educators, attorneys, and accountants. All courses meet the particular standards for each profession and are fully accredited. Developing and co-sponsoring conferences with Sam Houston State University faculty and administrators or their professional organizations. Such conferences offer opportunities for public service and the dissemination of research findings. Offering extended learning field trips led by Sam Houston State University faculty or other qualified instructors from both near and far. Such field trips, custom-tailored to the interests of individual participants, provide participants with research opportunities, foreign language exposure, and cultural enrichment. Extending home study opportunities for professional development and career enhancement through both correspondence courses and directed or independent study formats. Offering a variety of certificate programs that lead to a particular certification or prepare students for career changes or advancements. Working with businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to develop customized education and training, which can be delivered in-house, on the Sam Houston State University campus, or at other sites. Continuing education, outreach, and service programs extend the resources of the University not only to members of the larger community, including the institution’s primary service area of Walker, Montgomery, Grimes, Trinity, Polk, Brazos, and Harris counties, but also to the state and the nation.
Continuing education programs are divided into three categories: Certificate Programs, Enrichment Programs, and Conferences/ Workshops. Each of these designations is discussed in the paragraphs which follow:
Certificate Programs Non-credit certificate courses offered by the Office of Continuing Education include Certified Nurse Aide, Certified Medication Aide, Professional Phlebotomy, and Emergency Medical Technician Basic-Paramedic Completion Paralegal Certificate Course. Additional non-credit certificate courses include a 270-hour Chemical Dependency Counselor Basic Education course, computer courses, Spanish, and Sign Language courses. In January 1998, Continuing Education began offering the Food Handler's Course for the City of Huntsville. This course, which provides training for all restaurant employees, is required for all employees working in food establishments in Huntsville.
Enrichment Programs Enrichment courses include Country and Western Dance, Ballroom Dance, and Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement. In the same category, the Office of Continuing Education offers professional development courses for attorneys, certified public accountants, juvenile and adult probation officers, police officers, licensed professional counselors, and social workers. Courses that provide non-academic credit for this group of professionals include Mediation Basic Training, Family Mediation Training, and Mediation of Criminal Justice Disputes.
Conferences/Workshops Non-academic credit is provided the same group of professionals through conferences and workshops. These workshops and conferences include the following: "Creating Peaceful Schools and Communities Through Violence Prevention" and "Leadership: Creating Balance In Your Life, and Escaping the Venus Trap."
Additionally, the Office of Continuing Education provides support services for academic departments within the University. For example, the Office supports the Department of Agricultural Sciences by handling workshop registration and providing Continuing Education Units (CEU) to participants. The Office supports the Psychology Department in its Forensic Psychology Workshops by providing staff services for the department’s bulk mailings, by offering CEU for enrollees, and by assuming responsibility for evaluating the department’s fall workshops. Continuing Education similarly supports the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling and the Vocational Equity Project in several conferences and workshops.
The Office of Continuing Education has outside contracts to provide CEU for Initiatives for Children, Inc., a child care training project funded by the Texas Workforce Commission. In collaboration with the Sam Houston Museum and the Chamber of Commerce, the Office of Continuing Education is developing an Elderhostel program scheduled to begin in November 1998. The Office is also working on conferences in collaboration with several state agencies, including the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas Youth Commission, Texas D.A.R.E. Institute, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice "Operation Kick-it" Program.
All courses offered through the Office of Continuing Education have clear and specific learning objectives. To measure participants’ perceptions of whether stated course objectives are met, students are asked to evaluate courses during the last class session; moreover, students who have suggestions or comments are encouraged to call the Office of Continuing Education at any time. Individual and composite course evaluation scores become part of the permanent course file. Continuing Education views the course as successful when 80% of the participants indicate that the course objectives were met.
To serve the mission of the institution better, in 1997 the University reorganized the Office of Continuing Education, which was until that time known as the Office of Extended Learning. Prior to this reorganization, the Office reported to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services. Under the reorganization plan, the University created the Office of Continuing Education and placed it organizationally in the College of Education and Applied Sciences. The Coordinator of Continuing Education and his or her administrative assistant report directly to the Chair of Educational Leadership and Counseling. With the reorganization, the office staff was reduced from four professional staff members to two. With the reorganization also came a new method of record-keeping. Table 4.6.a below, the product of this new record-keeping, indicates the number and types of events that the Office of Continuing Education has offered during the 1998 fiscal year.
Table 4.6.a
Office of Continuing Education Events and Participants
Type of Event
Number of Events
Participants
Certificate Courses 2 to date 608 Enrichment Courses 10 to date 136 Conferences/Workshops 5 to date (3 in progress) 41 Outside Contracts 10 to date 125 Totals 67 910 The Office of Continuing Education, as a member of the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA), follows the guidelines set by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) in awarding Continuing Education Units (CEU). According to the SACS C.E.U.: Guidelines and Criteria, one CEU is defined as "ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction." The minimum requirement for satisfactory completion of any CEU-awarding course is 90% attendance.
The Office of Continuing Education also follows the continuing education guidelines of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and receives continuing education manuals on marketing and financial applications from the Learning Resources Network. Continuing Education also maintains affiliation agreements for training in several facilities with Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Ella Smither Geriatric Center, Huntsville/Walker County Emergency Medical Services, Cleveland Emergency Medical Services, East Texas Medical Center, and Cleveland Regional Medical Center.
All non-credit continuing education courses follow the continuing education guidelines set by the International Association for Continuing Education as recommended by the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA).
The Office of Continuing Education is provided a budget by the University through state-appropriated funds that are sufficient to support the continuing education programs. However, all courses offered by Continuing Education are fee-based, generating funds used to reimburse budgeted funds. Fees are set to make the Office of Continuing Education self-sufficient. Total receipts for Fiscal Year 1997 were $191,120. For Fiscal Year 1998, the office budget is $190,000. To date over half of the budget has been received.
In addition to generating sufficient funds to pay back the allotted budget, Continuing Education strives to generate additional revenues to create a fund balance. An example of such funding is a $12,500 grant received to provide logistical support for Immersion Training, funded by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Substance Abuse Division in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA). The grant, with an amendment providing an additional $12,500, was funded by TCADA to provide logistical support for a program involving Texas colleges and universities offering Criminal Justice or Substance Abuse degrees.
Correspondence Course Division
Correspondence courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit from a location not physically part of the University campus. Members of the University faculty are employed as course graders; as such, they design the course (following guidelines from the Correspondence Office), and they evaluate all written work of the correspondence student, prepare and grade lessons and the final exam, and submit the course grade.
Correspondence courses are designed and graded by members of the University faculty. This practice ensures that the students enrolled in these courses receive a quality of education comparable to those who are enrolled in the traditional classroom setting. Graders are encouraged to use the same texts and other learning materials that the classroom course requires. Thus the courses comply with the requirements of the criteria that the coursework is equivalent to the designated credit experience.
The offering of correspondence courses is clearly related to that part of the University Mission Statement in which the University is to provide "a wide range of academic studies in . . . undergraduate . . . programs to prepare students for meaningful careers . . ." (1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue 93).
The Correspondence Office falls under the administrative direction of the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. To evaluate this program, the Vice President has instituted a procedure by which college deans and department chairs are involved in assuring that the textbooks and other materials used in correspondence courses are sufficiently current and accurate. As a further way of monitoring the quality of correspondence courses, a student who completes such a course is asked to file an exit survey evaluating both the course and the instructor. Deans and chairs carefully review these surveys to ensure that quality is maintained.
The University provides resources and support for the program. As Table 4.6.b below indicates, the total expenditures for the Correspondence Course Division in 1995 were $251,470.71. This figure includes salaries for administrators and graders, equipment, supplies, postage, and printing. The revenues from fees for these courses were $383,261.25 for the same time period.
Table 4.6.b
Correspondences Courses 1
1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | |
| Average enrollment | NA | 1,416 | 1,476 | 1,883 | 1,959 |
| Revenues | $157,204.44 | $214,247.55 | $254,670.50 | $312.392.75 | $386,261.25 |
| Expenditures | $101,113.41 | $132,114.94 | $149,014.93 | $217,182.00 | $251,470.71 |
1
Note: During the inclusive years, the number of courses offered increased from sixty-five (1991) to seventy-three (1996).Study Abroad
Study abroad has long been a recognized adjunct to the college experience, allowing exposure to other cultures and immersion in other environments. In the last ten years, Sam Houston State University has offered relatively few opportunities for study abroad, but in the most recent years, several steps have been taken to improve offerings in other countries. As Tables 4.6.c and 4.6.d indicate, the number of summer abroad courses increased significantly between the summer of 1996 (one course) and summer of 1997 (eight courses); the dramatic increase suggests a new commitment to study abroad.
Table 4.6.c
SHSU Courses Abroad: Summer 1996
Program | Country | Course(s) Offered | Hours of Credit | Number of Students | Instructors | Cost to University | Cost to Student |
| Art | England France Italy | ART 471 | 3 | 8 | Dr. Darryl Patrick | None | $2,497.00 |
Table 4.6.d
SHSU Courses Abroad: Summer 1997
Program | Country | Course(s) Offered | Hours of Credit | Number of Students | Instructors | Cost to University | Cost to Student |
| Art | Italy | ART 463 ART 493 | 3 3 | 9 12 | Dr. Darryl Patrick | $4,419.00 | $4,649.00 |
| Foreign Languages | Mexico | SPN 142 SPN 470 | 4 3 | 12 17 | Dr. Frieda Koeninger | $4,668.00 | $1,595.00 |
| Geology | Mexico | GEL 113 GEL 133 | 1 3 | 15 15 | Dr. Betsy Torrez | $3,012.00 | $1,391.00 |
| Management/General Business and Finance | Mexico | MGT 430 Taught with GBA 430 | 3 | 13 6 | Dr. Victor Sower | $4,975.50 | $1,325.00 |
| Field School | Mexico | -- | -- | -- | -- | $10,326.00 | -- |
The courses taught in Mexico represent the revival of a field school that was in operation for several years during the 1960's; the director of the Puebla program and representatives of the Division of Academic Affairs have plans for continuing this program.
The courses offered abroad are conducted in much the same way that courses are conducted on the Huntsville campus, and the same standards and the same grade reporting system are employed. They comply with the University’s mission. Classes meet according to a regular schedule; for example, in 1997, the Art History course offered in Italy met for two hours a day, six days a week, while the Spanish courses in Puebla met for forty-five classroom hours. For all classes offered, standards for grades were announced in advance, as were the number and type of assignments and the percentage of course grade for each assignment. Of necessity, library support services were generally not available, but the on-site visits and cultural interaction with the local population supplied an equally valuable type of support. For the one lab class in geology, students purchased rock boxes and lab manuals much like those used on campus and took them with them; the laboratory work was supplemented with field trips.
All participants in the Puebla program were asked to evaluate courses in a mail-out questionnaire.
Courses offered through study abroad must pass through the customary hierarchy of approvals at the University before they are offered. They are reviewed and approved by the appropriate dean, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President before being sent for approval by The Texas State University System Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The new Office for International Programs on campus is designed in part to facilitate the design and implementation of such courses.
Academically Credited Off-Campus Courses
In the Sam Houston State University Mission Statement, the institution makes a commitment to "meet the needs of a civilized community by providing to the community educational opportunities and resources of the highest quality" (1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue 92). Although offering academically credited off-campus courses is not specifically mentioned as an element of the University’s instructional mission, such offerings are clearly noted as part of its public service role. In this context, the University is committed to working "with other consortia, institutions, agencies, and civic groups"; to providing "its expertise to other public institutions"; and to providing other "services such as continuing adult education, correspondence courses, institutes, conferences and services" to the general community. This commitment underlies the development of academically credited courses at various locations, demonstrating the University’s goal of maintaining "sufficient flexibility to develop its creative resources to the fullest" to "adapt to changing educational and social needs" (1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue 94).
Table 4.6.e, which indicates the number of academically credited courses offered off campus in each college for each semester between the fall of 1992 and the fall of 1997, demonstrates the University’s commitment to off-campus courses. Beginning in the fall of 1995, the University clearly expanded the number of off-campus course offerings. The College of Education and Applied Science (the most active unit in the delivery of off-campus classes) and the College of Arts and Sciences more than doubled their off-campus offerings from 1994 to 1995.
Table 4.6.e Number of Academically Credited Off-Campus Courses
1992-1993 | 1993-1994 | 1994-1995 | 1995-1996 | 1996-1997 | Fall 1997 | |
| College of Arts and Sciences | 10 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 9 |
| College of Education and Applied Science | 29 | 20 | 48 | 81 | 74 | 55 |
| College of Business Administration | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| College of Criminal Justice | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Library Science | 5 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 24 | 5 |
Total | 46 | 37 | 72 | 105 | 107 | 82 |
The College of Education and Applied Science has been offering off-campus courses and degree programs for almost thirty-five years. The majority of off-campus classes offered under the auspices of the College of Arts and Sciences are support classes for students pursuing degrees or professional certification through the College of Education and Applied Science.
The "Twelfth Day Class Report," maintained in the Registrar’s Office, reports the actual number of students enrolled in academically credited off-campus courses for the period 1995-1997. Data from this report indicate that since the fall of 1995, the University has experienced considerable growth not only in the number of academically credited off-campus courses, but also in the number of students being served by these classes.
The College of Education and Applied Science leads the way, with over 2,000 students enrolled in its off-campus classes for both the 1995 and 1996 academic years. In the fall of 1997, enrollment of 1,502 students in this college alone shows a sustained trend to increase these offerings. The numbers of students being served by off-campus programs in the other three colleges have also increased significantly; the number of students enrolled in academically credited off-campus classes during the fall of 1997 (2,129) almost equals the numbers served during each of the two previous academic years.
As the University increases its involvement in the delivery of academically credited off-campus classes, questions naturally arise concerning quality control. All of the off-campus classes offered under the auspices of the University are subject to the same evaluation standards as those used to evaluate and monitor on-campus offerings, including the administration of standardized student evaluation forms and regular evaluations of the faculty teaching these classes.
Academically credited classes offered off campus are staffed by both full-time (on-campus) faculty and part-time faculty. Part-time faculty, who are screened, hired, and supervised at the departmental level, must meet the same criteria used to hire and retain full-time faculty. With the exception of the University’s general commitment to develop specific programs offered through the alliance with The University Center, all decisions about which specific courses should be offered in an off-campus format are made at the departmental level.
Because Sam Houston State University does not offer credit for continuing education courses, the remaining criteria in Section 4.6 do not apply to the University:
6. An institution planning to initiate, through continuing education or outreach programs, a degree program must inform the Executive Director of the Commission on Colleges in advance of program implementation (Criteria 41-42).
Sam Houston State University is not planning to initiate a degree program through continuing education or outreach.
7. An institution must not award academic credit for work taken on a non-credit basis without appropriate documentation that the non-credit coursework is equivalent to a designated credit experience (Criteria 42).
8. In such cases, the institution must document that the credit awarded for non-credit coursework represents collegiate coursework relevant to the degree, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies equivalent to those of students in the institution’s own degree programs; and coursework taught by faculty members qualified to teach at the appropriate degree level (Criteria 42).
No course listed within the offerings of Continuing Education at Sam Houston State University is offered for academic credit.
9. All credit-bearing continuing education courses and activities must comply with the requirements of the Criteria (Criteria 42).
Sam Houston State University does not offer academic credit for continuing education courses and activities.
Having determined that the University complies with all of the imperatives in Section 4.6 of the Criteria, the Committee on Continuing Education, Outreach, and Service Programs has no recommendations. Responding to observations made by faculty in the summer program at Puebla, Mexico, however, the Committee makes the following suggestions to remedy problems perceived in the summer of 1997:
For the Puebla summer abroad program, adequate classroom space should be provided in an area more distant from the public areas of the hotel in which the participants stayed. For the Puebla summer abroad program, more computers and Internet connections should be supplied.
These suggestions are already being implemented. In 1998, an additional conference room was made available for classes, and a cafeteria is being modified as a classroom. More laptop computers will be taken to Puebla, and means for Internet connections are being investigated.
4.6: Continuing Education, Outreach, and Service Programs
Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Continuing education and outreach and service programs must be clearly related to the purpose of the institution. | Compliance |
Review of Continued Education Effectiveness Report Interview with Director of Continuing Education Correspondence Course Catalogue Course Syllabi Interviews with Instructors |
| 2. All continuing education programs, both credit and non-credit, must be evaluated regularly. | Compliance |
Interview with Director of Continuing Education Interview with Personnel in the Office of Continuing Education Evaluation Forms Interviews with Instructors |
| 3. All continuing education and outreach and service programs offered for credit must comply with the requirements of the Criteria, and with Section IV in particular. | Compliance |
Interview with Director of Continuing Education Correspondence Course Catalogue Overview for Procedures and Guidelines for Preparation of Course Packet Course Syllabi and Course Descriptions Interviews with Instructors |
| 4. For non-credit continuing education programs, the institution should follow national guidelines for the recording of Continuing Education Units. | Compliance |
Interview with Continuing Education Staff Review of Guidelines from UCEA, from IACET, and from SACS Criteria |
| 5. For outreach and service programs, an institution must provide the resources and services necessary to support the programs and must evaluate the programs regularly. | Compliance |
Interview with Director of Continuing Education Correspondence Course Division 5-Year Expenditure Report Interview with Director and Instructors |
| 6. An institution planning to initiate, through continuing education or outreach programs, a degree program must inform the Executive Director of the Commission on Colleges in advance of program implementation. | Not Applicable | Interview with Director of Continuing Education |
| 7. An institution must not award academic credit for work taken on a non-credit basis without appropriate documentation that the non-credit coursework is equivalent to a designated credit experience. | Not Applicable |
Interview with Director of Continuing Education Continuing Education Course Listing |
| 8. In such cases, the institution must document that the credit awarded for non-credit coursework represents collegiate coursework relevant to the degree, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies equivalent to those of students in the institution’s own degree programs; and coursework taught by faculty members qualified to teach at the appropriate degree level. | Not Applicable | Interview with Director of Continuing Education |
| 9. All credit-bearing continuing education courses and activities must comply with the requirements of the Criteria. | Not Applicable | Interview with Director of Continuing Education |
RECOMMENDATIONS:
None
SUGGESTIONS:
For the Puebla summer abroad program, adequate classroom space should be provided in an area more distant from the public areas of the hotel in which the participants stayed.
For the Puebla summer abroad program, more computers and Internet connections should be supplied.