Through an organizational structure of committees and task forces, Arizona has developed a model for transfer that includes transfer degrees, general education requirements, and common program requirements for majors offered at more than one university.
One of the curriculum components of the model is a 35-semester credit block known as the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC). At the time of implementation, Maricopa made a decision to have the AGEC align with the lower-division General Studies requirements at ASU. This philosophy of alignment translates to three levels of policy and procedural alignment.
Level One: Maricopa AGEC Options are aligned with ASU requirements
Within the statewide framework for AGEC, institutions had
the opportunity to tailor the requirements to meet institutional goals
and values. As part of the implementation of the AGEC at Maricopa,
it was determined that the options would be used to further align the
35 credits of AGEC with ASU requirements.
Level Two: Maricopa AGEC Designations are determined with ASU Criteria
Courses that are eligible for students to select to meet
AGEC requirements are evaluated for nine designations. ASU provides
the Rationale,
Objectives, and Criteria Checklists for each of the
designations. Maricopa faculty prepare submissions for review by the
ASU General Studies Council to be evaluated against the criteria on
the checklists.
Level Three: Maricopa AGEC Designations are determined by ASU General
Studies Council
Maricopa courses may receive one of the General Studies designations
and apply to AGEC through one of two options. First, a Maricopa course
that is evaluated as equivalent to an ASU course could “inherit” any
General Studies values that would apply to the ASU course. The second
option allows Maricopa faculty to submit courses to the ASU General Studies
Council for evaluation. Maricopa faculty follow the criteria outlined
above and submit documentation to the Maricopa Faculty General Studies
representative. The Faculty Representative reviews the submission for
completeness and then forwards to ASU. The Maricopa Faculty General Studies
representative is also a member of the ASU General Studies Council.