3.1 PROGRAMS
3.1.1 DEFINITION OF "PROGRAM"
A program is a series of courses that culminate in conferral of a credential, which could be described as a “program,” whether or not the credential has the same name as a currently transcripted UK credential (degree, certificate, badge, honor, or other credential(s)) as determined by Senate. A program may be credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing, although only credit-bearing programs are recorded on an academic transcript. [US: 5/1/2023]
3.1.1.1 Credit-Bearing Programs
Credit-bearing programs are comprised of credit-bearing courses, are recorded on a University Registrar’s academic transcript, and are approved by Senate action. [US: 5/1/2023]
3.1.1.2 Non-Credit-Bearing Programs
US: 5/1/2023]
Non-credit-bearing programs are not reflected on an academic transcript and may or may not require Senate approval action.
Senate oversight and approval action is required if the activity cannot be described by one of the five categories below. If one or more of the five statements can be used to describe the activity, then the activity does not need Senate review and oversight and approval. If none of the five statements can be used to describe the activity, then the activity does need Senate review and oversight and approval.
- The activity is required by a federal, state, or local government agency. (Government agency requirements include activities such as federally required research conflict of interest training or teacher certification licensure from Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board.)
- The activity is overseen by an accrediting body, which holds member programs accountable for meeting explicit standards in order to continue offering that content and offering that credential to students.(Accrediting body requirements includes activities such as residency/fellow programs overseen by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) (AR 5:5). Membership in an accrediting body is insufficient to meet this standard; the accrediting body must also have authority over the content of the activity.
- The activity is a short or single event (e.g. an afternoon). (Short or single events include activities such as learning about topics during a lunchtime session or at guest speaker events (e.g. AR 9.9).)
- The activity is directed to external community service learning. (External community service learning includes activities offered by local Extension offices (e.g., AR 3:8.2.C) and Libraries public service (AR 11:9).)
- The activity is directed to persons in their capacity as UK employees or research trainees (and graduate assistants, post-doctoral fellows, etc.). (Activities directed to persons in their capacity as UK employees or research trainees include activities like blood-borne pathogen training for healthcare employees and Finance and Administration Specialized Training (FAST) for employees with financial responsibilities and Responsible Conduct of Research & Scholarly Activity (RCR) training.)