7-9 Glossary
Academic course - Those courses included in the Academic Course Guide Manual. The development of an academic course does not require THECB approval.

Applied associate degree - A type of degree program designed to lead the individual directly to employment in a specific career. Refers to the associate of applied arts, associate of applied science and the associated of occupational studies degrees. The term "applied" in an associate degree name is the distinguishing characteristic of the technical nature of college work.

Associate of applied arts (AAA) degree program - A program of study designed for immediate employment and/or career advancement that emphasizes the application of artistic principles and the humanities through an orderly, identifiable sequence of courses. The degree program is composed of technical courses, general education courses, related instruction courses, and as appropriate, elective courses to prepare students for employment in performing arts.

Associate of applied science (AAS) degree program - A program of study designed for immediate employment and/or career advancement that is composed of an orderly, identifiable sequence of courses designed to meet specific occupational competencies and outcomes. The degree program is composed of technical courses, general education courses, related instruction, and as appropriate, elective courses to prepare students for employment as technicians or professionals.

Capstone experience - A learning experience that results in a consolidation of a student's educational experience and certifies mastery of entry-level workplace competencies. It must occur during the last semester of the program.

Certificate - Awarded for a certificate program. It should constitute a building block towards an AAS or AAA degree.

Certificate program - A technical program designed for entry-level employment or for upgrading skills and knowledge within an occupation. Certificate programs serve as building blocks and exit points for AAS degree programs. This award is approved by the Coordinating Board at one of three levels, appears on the Workforce Program Clearinghouse Inventory, and is the subject of the Coordinating Board program evaluation process. Refer to Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education. The development of a certificate program requires THECB approval.

CIP - Classification of Instructional Program codes used by the U.S. Department of Education.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) - One continuing education unit is 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Refer to The Continuing Education Unit: Guidelines of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Credentialing exam - A licensure, certification, or registration exam provided by state or national agencies or by professional organizations appropriate to the discipline.

Curriculum Proposal Team - The faculty committee responsible for academic course proposals, technical program proposals and technical program revisions.

Curriculum Facilitator - The chair of the curriculum proposal team.

DACUM - An acronym for Developing a Curriculum, a DACUM is a process of identifying specific duties and associated tasks required by a particular job or occupation.

External Learning Experience - A competency-based learning experience, paid or unpaid, that enhances lecture and laboratory instruction, and is provided at work sites appropriate to the discipline.

Feasibility Study - The process of choosing from among the alternatives that arise as the result of the needs assessment. The selected alternative must be consistent with the mission statement and goals of the institution.

FICE - An acronym for Federal Interagency Committee on Education Code. It is a code used for identification. Each campus in the SJCD has a separate FICE code. Central is 003609; North is 012713; South is 000090.

GIPWE - An acronym for Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education

Needs assessment - A data collection process. The data is used to make curriculum decisions.

Prioritization of new program development - the annual schedule of programs proposed by the vice chancellor of instructional programs and services in collaboration with the campuses

Program - An organized unit of instruction directly related to the acquisition and/or upgrading of technical skills for which a Coordinating Board-approved certificate or an applied associate of science degree is awarded. Refer to Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education. The development of a certificate program requires THECB approval.

SACS - An acronym for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

SCANS skills - Skills identified by the Secretary’s Commission of Achieving Necessary Skills as needed by American workers entry-level employment. Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education.

SJCD - An acronym for San Jacinto College District

THECB - An acronym for Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Verification of Workplace Competencies - To verify entry-level workplace competencies, the college must provide a capstone experience, eligibility for a credentialing exam, or an external learning experience.

WECM - An acronym for Workforce Education Course Manual