The process for noncredit approval differs from credit course approval: you must complete the state form and a course outline. The forms are submitted to the Agenda Review Subcommittee to place the course on the Curriculum Committee agenda. After the course is approved, it is sent to the district for more approval, then to the State Chancellor's Office for final approval. Because of the time required to send a course through this process, please begin at least six months in advance. See the Calendar for more details on dates. The Title 5 standards for approval of noncredit courses are shown below.
Title 5, Section 55002
...(c) Noncredit Course. A noncredit courses is a course which, at a minimum, is recommended by the college and/or district curriculum committee (the committee described and established under Subdivision (a)(1) of this Section) and approved by the district governing board as a course meeting the needs of enrolled students
(1) Standards for Approval. The college and/or district curriculum committee shall recommend approval of the course if the course treats subject matter and uses resource materials, teaching methods, and standards of attendance and achievement that the committee deems appropriate for the enrolled students. In order to be eligible for state apportionment, such courses are limited to the categories of instruction listed in Education Code Section 84711 and must be approved by the Chancellor's Office as noted in Title 5, Section 55150.
2) Course Outline of Record. The course is described in a course outline of record that shall be maintained in the official college files and made available to each instructor. The course outline of record shall specify the scope, objectives, contents, instructional methodology, and methods of evaluation for determining whether the stated objectives have been met.
(3) Conduct of Course. All sections of the course are to be taught by a qualified instructor in accordance with the set of objectives and other specifications defined in the course outline of record.
Title 5, Section 55150
(a) Courses or programs offered for noncredit shall be approved by the Chancellor in accordance with Section 55100 on forms provided by the Chancellor's Office.
(b) Course outlines for all noncredit courses shall be on file in the community college offering the course.
(c) Authorities of each community college maintaining noncredit courses shall keep such current records and reports as my be required by the Chancellor.
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