Certification Training for Local Approval of Stand-Alone Credit Courses

California Education Code (CEC) and title 5 Regulations, adopted in August 2007, permit community college districts to approve, without prior approval by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, nondegree-applicable credit courses and degree-applicable credit courses which are not part of an approved educational program (commonly known as “stand-alone” courses).

At least one person from each college, preferably the curriculum committee chair, must complete the training and then train the curriculum committee and staff who are involved in the curriculum approval process.  Training materials are provided here for this purpose. When training is completed on the campus, the certification form must be submitted by September 30 of that year.  This deadline is mandated by title 5, section 55100, and cannot be extended.

Training for local approval of stand-alone credit courses addresses required curriculum development and approval processes for all new courses. Colleges, however, should be aware that program approval will continue to be conducted through the Chancellor's Office. When new programs are submitted for approval, colleges need to attach all course outlines for required courses, which are reviewed during the program approval process.

Resource Materials:

• 2012-13 Certification for Local Approval of Stand-Alone Credit Courses [Memo]
• 2012-13 Certification for Local Approval of Stand-Alone Credit Courses [Form]   

Training Documents:

• Microsoft PowerPoint 2012 [pdf]
• Handout 1A, title 5, section 55100 [pdf] 
• Handout 1B, Assembly Bill 1029 [pdf]
• Handout 2, FAQ [pdf]
• Handout 3, Examples of Courses Denied by the Chancellor's Office [pdf]
• Handout 4, title 5, section 55002 [pdf]
• Microsoft PowerPoint Speakers Notes (official script for training purposes) [pdf]