9 Miss. Code. R. § 7-3-3.18 - EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

A. The course content and length of instruction shall be of such nature and quality as to allow that students will adequately develop job skills and knowledge necessary for obtaining employment in the occupation for which the instruction is offered.

B. Any educational institution licensed by the commission shall be operated in compliance with the following standards:

a. Instructional Content and Length

i. All programs of a vocational nature must be evaluated against competencies needed for employment in a recognized occupation as defined in the current edition of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles published by the United States Department of Labor or occupations generally recognized by the industry in which the occupation is classified.

ii. Programs of study must adequately cover the subject, must be clearly presented, and must be in accordance with the best current knowledge and practice of trade, professional or manufacturing standards. Study must extend over a period sufficient to complete the work with standards appropriate for employment in the occupation for which trained or in a closely related occupation.

iii. Programs of study must be consistent in quality, content, and length with similar programs in public or private institutions that are approved by the Mississippi State Department of Education or the Mississippi Community College Board.

iv. If a program requires approval from another state or federal agency, the school may be required to provide documentation of the additional approval as part of the program review process.

v. If an approved program is discontinued for any reason, the commission must be notified within thirty days. The program will then be removed from the list of approved programs.

b. Instructional Practices

The institution shall provide favorable conditions for effective classroom instruction to include:

i. Well-defined instructional objectives,

ii. Systematic planning,

iii. Selection and use of varied learning materials and experiences,

iv. Adaptation of organization and instructional procedures to student needs,

v. Use of varied evaluation instruments and procedures, and

vi. Good student and teacher morale.

vii. The commission will evaluate course content and length of instruction on individual applications.

viii. Institutions must report to the Commission the type of instruction being provided such as traditional, blended/hybrid, or distance learning).

C. All certificate and diploma programs approved by the Commission shall meet the following standards:

a. Certificate program is a series of technical classes designed to train students with a single skill objective. In special classes, non-technical classes may be included to meet essential occupational outcomes. A minimum of eighty percent of a certificate program's credits or clock hours is in the technical courses that support the program's occupational outcomes.

b. Diploma program is a series of classes centered around a specific/specialized topic area. These programs include technical and nontechnical classes and are designed to train students with the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare them in a vocational/occupational field of study. A minimum of seventy percent of a diploma program's credits or clock hours is in the technical courses that support the program's occupational outcomes.

c. Associate degree program is a series of technical and non-technical classes centered around a specific topic that prepares the student to enter a vocational/occupational specialty. A minimum of sixty percent of an associate program's credits or clock hours is in the technical courses that support the program's occupational outcomes.

D. Any registered institution wishing to offer occupational or applied associate degree programs must provide proof of current unencumbered accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized/authorized by the United States Department of Education.

a. Should an accredited registered institution loose recognized accreditation due to no fault of the institution or through a deauthorization of the accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education, the CPSCR institution will be allowed to continue to offer approved degree programs for an 18-month period while actively seeking new accreditation.

b. Institution must report quarterly on their progress to obtain new accreditation.

Notes

9 Miss. Code. R. § 7-3-3.18

Amended 4/6/2017 Amended 4/27/2018 Amended 6/24/2018 Amended 2/4/2021 Amended 3/24/2023 Amended 10/4/2024