• Academic Standards and Curriculum Issues
• Apprenticeships
  
• Credit Program Approval (Degrees & Certificates)
  
• Credit Stand-alone Course Approval

This sub-unit is primarily responsible for reviewing and recommending approval of new degree and certificate programs in the credit mode. Chancellor's Office approval is required for all degree majors and all certificates that require at least 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of coursework.

The unit also maintains the statewide Inventory of Approved and Projected Programs, which lists all approved programs in the California Community Colleges system. The inventory may be searched by college or by type of program.

Another responsibility is to review and approve new stand-alone courses; that is, courses in the credit mode that are not apart of any approved program. A course is 'part of an approved program' when it is required, or on a list of restricted electives, for a degree or certificate approved by the Chancellor's Office.

The sub-unit also researches questions on regulations and statues that affect curriculum and the circumstances under which community college courses and programs are taught. For example, rules on grading probation and dismissal, course repetition, requirements for course outlines, associate degree standards, etc. may be analyzed and recommendations may be prepared.

Detailed procedures and standards for approval of credit and courses are set forth in the Program and Course Approval Handbook.