Once faculty have developed the necessary information for modifying an occupational degree, and the necessary agreement has been obtained in the case of shared programs,  1  the program information is entered into the curriculum processing form in the Academic Curriculum Review and Evaluation System (ACRES). Note: Colleges initiating program modification proposals are required to keep on file a set of the Advisory Committee Minutes that support the proposals and to provide a copy to any college or district staff person requesting that information. The college staff must follow the approved format for the development of the Advisory Committee Minutes.

At the ACRES homepage, click on the MODIFIED-AAS Program Proposal link and enter the required information in the form:
Initiating College: Use the drop-down menu to select the initiating college.

Faculty Initiator: Enter the name(s) of the faculty member(s) initiating the proposal.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: Using the drop-down menu, select the date of the Governing Board meeting at which this proposal will be submitted for approval. This will be the meeting which follows the DCC Online Agenda Date selected in the next field.

DCC General Agenda Date: Using the drop-down menu, select the date of the General Agenda to which the proposal will be submitted. Remember to allow adequate time for review of the proposal by all sharing colleges and the initiating college curriculum committee. 2

Effective Term: Using the drop-down menu, select the first term when the proposed program changes will be effective.

Effective Year: Enter the four-digit number of the first year when the proposed program changes will be effective.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Approval: Enter the name of the vice president approving the processing of this proposal.

Major Code: Enter the current program major code.

Program GPA: Enter the overall grade point average currently required for award of this degree.

Program Availability: Check the appropriate box to indicate that this program currently is either College-Specific or Shared by more than one college.

Shared Programs: If the program is currently shared, check the box of all currently sharing colleges, including the initiating college.

Primary College: If the program is currently shared, enter the name of the primary college. 3 

Occupational Area for Occupational Program Matrix: Enter the Occupational Area of the MCCCD Occupational Program Matrix in which this program is classified. See Matrix

Instructional Council(s) Receiving Proposal: Enter the name of the instructional council(s) that will receive a copy of this modification proposal as an information item, followed by the instructional council code(s) in parentheses. See IC Contact Database.  4

Rationale for Change: Enter a brief but specific explanation of why the proposed changes are necessary or desirable. 5

Program Addition: Check the appropriate box if the proposed modification includes the addition of an AAS degree or a CCL. Note: Program additions require the submission of a NEW-AAS Program Addition Proposal or a NEW-CCL Program Addition Proposal (ACRES). 6

Total Program Credits Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the total credits required to complete the program are being changed.

Total Program Credits: Enter the total credits that will be required by the program when the proposed modification is in effect, including program prerequisites (if they are counted in total program credits), required courses, restricted electives, free electives, and general education courses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in total credits is being proposed. If no change in total credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

100 Character Program Title Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the 100-character program title is being changed.

100 Character Program Title: Enter the 100-character program title as it will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. 7  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in the 100-character program title is being proposed. If no change in the 100-character program title is being proposed, enter the current information.

30 Character Program Title Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the 30-character program title is being changed.

30 Character Program Title PROPOSED: If the 30-character program title is being changed, enter it as it will appear when the proposed modification is in effect, beginning with the award type (AAS). 8 If the 30-character title is not being changed, leave this field blank.

Program Description Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the program description is being changed.

Program Description: Enter the program descriptionas it will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. 9  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in the program descriptionis being proposed. If no change in the program description is being proposed, enter the current information.

CIPS Code: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the CIPS code is being changed.

CIPS Code: Enter the CIPS code as it will be when the proposed modification is in effect, following the format indicated.  10  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in the CIPS code is being proposed. If no change in the CIPS code is being proposed, enter the current information.

Program Availability Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the program availabilityis being changed.

Program Availability PROPOSED: If program availability is being changed, enter the availability as it will be when the proposed modification is in effect (either Shared or College Specific), then enter the name(s) of college(s) that will be sharing the program when the proposed modification is in effect. If program availability is not being changed, leave this field blank. 11 

Program Notes Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the program notes are being changed.

Program Notes Detail: Enter the program notes as they will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. 12  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in the program notes is being proposed. If no change in the program notes is being proposed, enter the current information.
If there will be no program notes when the proposed modification is in effect, enter None.

Area Notes Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether area notes are being changed.

Area Notes Detail: List each program area (Ex: Required Courses, Restricted Electives, etc.) that currently has notes and each program area that will have notes when the proposed modification is in effect, followed by the area note as it will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. 13  If the listed area will have no note, enter None; if the listed area note is not changing, enter the current note. If the program currently has no area notes and will continue to have no area notes when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

Admission Criteria: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the program currently includes admission criteria.

Admission Criteria Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether admission criteria are being changed.

Admission Criteria Detail: Enter the admission criteria as they will appear when the proposed modification is in effect.14 If there will be no admission criteria when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

Program Prerequisites Change: Note:In entering information in the Program Prerequisite, Required Courses, and Restricted Electives areas, care must be taken to avoid Hidden Prerequisites. 15   Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in program prerequisite credits or program prerequisite requirements or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in any program prerequisites. 16

Program Prerequisites Credits: Enter the total program prerequisite credits that will be required when the proposed modification is in effect. If no program prerequisite credits will be required, enter None. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in program prerequisite credits is being proposed. If no change in the program prerequisite credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

Program Prerequisites Detail: List all program prerequisites as they will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. List program prerequisite courses by course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If the program prerequisites include a choice of courses or other alternatives, separate alternatives with the word OR, enclose the course credits for each alternative course in parentheses, and enter the total required credits for the prerequisite at the end of the line.17 If no program prerequisites will be included in this program when the proposed modification is in effect, enter None. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in program prerequisites is being proposed. If no change in program prerequisites is being proposed, enter the current information. 17

Required Courses Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the number of credits required in the required courses area, or a change in the required courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the required courses area. 18

Required Courses Credits: Enter the number of credits that will be required in the Required Courses area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in required courses credits is being proposed. If no change in required courses credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

Required Courses Detail: List all courses that will be required in the program when the proposed modification is in effect. List each one by course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR, enclose course credits for each choice in parentheses, and enter the total required credits at the end of the line.  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in required courses is being proposed. If no change in required courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Restricted Electives: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether restricted electives are currently required in the program. 19

Restricted Electives Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the number of credits required in the restricted electives area, or a change in the restricted electives courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the restricted electives area.

Restricted Electives Credits: Enter the number of credits that will be required in the Restricted Electives area when the proposed modification is in effect. If no restricted elective credits will be required when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

Restricted Electives Detail: If restricted electives will be required when the proposed modification is in effect, list all restricted elective choices by course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR, enclose course credits for each choice in parentheses, and enter the total required credits at the end of the line.If no restricted electives will be required when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

Free Electives: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether free electives are currently required in the program. 20

Free Electives Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the number of credits required in the free electives area, or a change in the free electives recommended courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the free electives area.

Free Electives Credits: Enter the number of credits that will be required in the Free Electives area when the proposed modification is in effect. If no free electives credits will be required when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

Free Electives Detail: If free electives will be required when the proposed modification is in effect, and if particular courses will be recommended, list all free elective recommendations by course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, enclose course credits for each choice in parentheses and enter the total required credits at the end of the line. If no free electives will be required, or no particular courses will be recommended as free electives when the proposed modification is in effect, leave this field blank.

General Education Total Credits Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the General Education area.

General Education Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in all General Education areas, including the General Education Core and the General Education Distribution areas, when the proposed modification is in effect. 21  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in General Education Credits is being proposed. If no change in General Education Credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

General Education Core Credits Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the General Education Core area.

General Education Core Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the required General Education Core areas when the proposed modification is in effect. 22 Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in General Education Core Credits is being proposed. If no change in General Education Core Credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

First Year Composition Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the First-Year Composition area, or a change in the First-Year Composition required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the First-Year Composition area.
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First Year Composition Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the First-Year Composition area when the proposed modification is in effect.Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in First-Year Composition credits is being proposed. If no change in First-Year Composition credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

First Year Composition Detail: Enter the phrase + Any approved general education course from the First-Year Composition area, or list all First-Year Composition courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in First-Year Composition courses is being proposed. If no change in First-Year Composition courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Oral Communication Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Oral Communication area, or a change in the Oral Communication area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Oral Communication area.

Oral Communication Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Oral Communication area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Oral Communication credits is being proposed. If no change in Oral Communication credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

Oral Communication Detail: Enter the phrase  Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area, or list all Oral Communication courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Oral Communication courses is being proposed. If no change in Oral Communication courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Critical Reading Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Critical Reading area, or a change in the Critical Reading area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Critical Reading area.
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Critical Reading Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Critical Reading area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Critical Reading credits is being proposed. If no change in Critical Reading credits is being proposed, enter the current information

Critical Reading Detail: Enter the phrase + Any approved general education course from the Critical Reading area, or list all Critical Reading courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Critical Reading courses is being proposed. If no change in Critical Reading courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Mathematics Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Mathematics area, or a change in the Mathematics area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Mathematics area.

Mathematics Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Mathematics area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Mathematics credits is being proposed. If no change in Mathematics credits is being proposed, enter the current information

Mathematics Detail: Enter the phrase + Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area, or list all Mathematics courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Mathematics courses is being proposed. If no change in Mathematics courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

General Education Distribution Credits Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the General Education Distribution areas.

General Education Distribution Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in all General Education Distribution areas when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in General Education Distribution credits is being proposed. If no change in General Education Distribution credits is being proposed, enter the current information

Humanities & Fine Arts Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Humanities and Fine Arts area, or a change in the Humanities and Fine Arts area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Humanities and Fine Arts area.

Humanities and Fine Arts Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Humanities and Fine Arts area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Humanities and Fine Arts credits is being proposed. If no change in Humanities and Fine Arts credits is being proposed, enter the current information

Humanities and Fine Arts Detail: Enter the phrase  Any approved general education course from the Humanities and Fine Arts area , or list all Humanities and Fine Arts courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Humanities and Fine Arts courses is being proposed. If no change in Humanities and Fine Arts courses is being proposed, enter the current information

Social & Behavioral Sciences Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Social and Behavioral Sciences area, or a change in the Social and Behavioral Sciences area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Social and Behavioral Sciences area.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Social and Behavioral Sciences area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Social and Behavioral Sciences credits is being proposed. If no change in Social and Behavioral Sciences credits is being proposed, enter the current information.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Details: Enter the phrase  Any approved general education course from the Social and Behavioral Sciences area, or list all Social and Behavioral Sciences courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Social and Behavioral Sciences courses is being proposed. If no change in Social and Behavioral Sciences courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Natural Sciences Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the total number of credits required in the Natural Sciences area, or a change in the Natural Sciences area required  courses, or both (check both boxes), or if there is no change in the Natural Sciences area.

Natural Sciences Credits: Enter the total number of credits students will be required to earn in the Natural Sciences area when the proposed modification is in effect. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Natural Sciences credits is being proposed. If no change in Natural Sciences credits is being proposed, enter the current information

Natural Sciences Detail: Enter the phrase  Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area, or list all Natural Sciences courses from which students will be allowed to choose when the proposed modification is in effect, showing course prefix and number, course title, and course credits. Type a plus sign (+) before the entry for any course that has a prerequisite. If a choice of courses is offered, separate alternative courses with the word OR and enclose the credits for each course in parentheses. Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in Natural Sciences courses is being proposed. If no change in Natural Sciences courses is being proposed, enter the current information.

Program Competencies Change: Check the appropriate box to indicate whether there is a change in the program competencies.

Program Competencies: List the Program Competencies as they will appear when the proposed modification is in effect. In parentheses after each competency, list the required  course(s) in which the competency is covered.  23  Note: the red asterisk indicates that information must be entered in this field even if no change in program competencies is being proposed. If no change in the program competencies is being proposed, enter the current information.

Pre/CoRequisite Flowchart: Attach a separate document showing a Flowchart of all prerequisites and corequisites for all Program Prerequisite Courses, Required Courses, and Restricted Electives. 24