The Instructional Councils (ICs) provide a coordination point within Maricopa for faculty roles in curriculum, General Studies designations, articulation with other institutions, and transfer options for students. In particular, members are involved at the college, district and statewide levels in making agreements with other institutions, evaluating courses and programs that may transfer into the Maricopa Community Colleges, and building partnerships for students who transfer to complete advanced degrees. Faculty members are critical in the communication necessary to develop maintain the agreements and ensure that advising and recording processes are consistent with these agreements.
Some of the specific ways in which IC members are involved include:
Statewide Agreements – The discipline specific ATFs have faculty representatives from the community college and the public universities. These groups meet at least one time each year. The roles and responsibilities of the ATFs are generally related to the articulation of curriculum and its implementation. At the District level, IC members are automatically ATF members unless otherwise noted and/ or there is no ATF established for the discipline.
ATF Information may influence direction and decisions of an IC regarding curriculum planning and alignment for transfer programs. Attending and participating in an ATF meeting allows faculty to influence, plan, and implement changes while ensuring adherence to statewide transfer policy. To access more ATF information, click here.
Programmatic Agreements – ICs can help form articulation agreements at the program level (e.g., Associate in Transfer Partnerships). The Associate in Transfer Partnership degree is an articulated academic program of study established among the student, the accredited baccalaureate degree-granting institution selected by the student, and the primary Maricopa Community College the student attends. When an ATP is developed or modify, ICs review and provide recommendations. (Source: Center for Curriculum & Transfer Articulation web site, Curriculum section)
Additionally, faculty members work with the Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation and Maricopa's transfer partners to build partnerships for students who transfer to complete baccalaureate degrees.
General Studies – IC Members work with the Maricopa Faculty General Studies Representative to submit General Studies Proposals. Historically, Maricopa's general education core was aligned with the lower-division General Studies requirements at ASU. For specific information regarding the IC Role in General Studies Articulation, click here.
To access information regarding Curriculum Development and General Studies, General Education, click here.