September 19-20, 2002

ITEM 116-2802-R0902:   Approval of Proposal to Offer the Associate of Arts Degree; Montana State University-Northern.

THAT:   The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes Montana State University-Northern to award the Associate of Arts Degree.

EXPLANATION:   The proposed Associate of Arts degree is designed to meet the needs of current Montana State University-Northern students who intend to seek a baccalaureate degree at Northern, but have not decided on a major at initial enrollment, as well as the needs of students who enroll at Northern with the intent of transferring to another institution after completing general education requirements. The proposed degree incorporates all Montana State University-Northern lower division general education requirements and, to facilitate transfer within the Montana University system, the system transferable core (See Appendix A: Proposed Associate of Arts Degree; and Appendix B: Catalog Course Descriptions). The office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences will assist students enrolled in the Associate of Arts program who plan to transfer to other institutions in the selection of electives appropriate to their future plans of study.

Because the program is intended primarily for current Undecided students and all courses included are currently offered, no new resources would be required for implementation. Faculty, administrative staff, facilities and library resources are adequate to support the program.