Professional-Technical Programs

Approval and Revisions

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) is required to approve all professional-technical degree and certificate programs prior to program implementation.

In cooperation with the college system, SBCTC sets rules, procedures and guidelines for approving all proposed new professional/technical programs, curriculum modifications and program title changes.

For support with professional technical program approvals or revisions please contact, program approval staff.

Process and forms needed for program approval:

Review the guidelines for the Professional-Technical Program Approval Process (updated as of August 2023)
Complete the Program Approval Request form including the Advisory/Planning Committee form.
Submit your request and attach the signed Program Approval Request (PAR) using the PAR request form.

Process for program revisions and inactivation:

Prepare the information within the Program Revision Checklist
Submit your request and attach your revised curriculum guide using the Program Revision Request form

To reinstate a program currently listed as inactive, complete the Request for Inactive Program/Option Reinstatement

Contact

Shelby Means
Education Program Coordinator, Education Division
programapproval@sbctc.edu
360-704-1016

William Belden
Policy Associate, Workforce Education
programapproval@sbctc.edu
360-704-4359

Other Types of Program Approvals

Transfer Degree Programs:
- Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)
- Major Related Programs (MRT)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Programs
Individualized Education Program Approval (IEP)
Zero-Credit Bearing Programs:
If you have a zero-credit bearing program, you do not need to submit this program to the State Board's inventory list. However, the program may still qualify to be on the state's Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List. In this case, submit that program information directly to Career Bridge for ETP-approval.

Resources

Viability Analysis
Programs should be continually reviewed for effectiveness in meeting industry training needs and fulfilling the college mission. Programs that are no longer effective should be should be subject to review for viability
- Program Viability Analysis (Updated August 2023)

Program Advisory Committee
Each professional-technical program must have an advisory committee. Advisory committees are made up of volunteers who give their time, talent, and expertise to help improve, update, and strengthen the professional-technical programs they serve. Since they are "advisory" by design, the committees do not have administrative or legislative authority.

Committees usually serve specific training programs and have three main roles:
- Advise the administration and board of trustees.
- Assist program staff
- Provide support and advocacy for quality education and training
Resources to help colleges with advisory committees:
- Advisory Committee Guidelines, Chapter 4.40.20 - SBCTC Policy Manual
- Advisory Committee Self-Assessment
- Asked to Serve(sample flyer)
- Enhancing Advisory Committee Effectiveness(contents of 27-page booklet)
- Enhancing Advisory Committee Effectiveness(front/Back Covers)