What is Program Alignment?

One of the initiatives underway by the Post-Secondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) to enhance technical education in our state is the alignment of specific technical programs.  This project is driven by the needs of business and industry in the state.  Groups of business leaders are convened by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents with participation by program advisory committee members from our colleges to essentially “map” a preferred outcome for an occupational category (Phase I).

The purposeful outcomes of the project include:  a) the identification of value-added exit points (points of departure from a complete associate’s degree that would enable employment) in occupations, b) agreement on a nationally recognized industry based third party credential that students with limited prior work experience in the occupation can achieve, c) agreement on a few common courses by all colleges offering the program to facilitate transfer between programs and potential articulation with our high schools and d) guidance regarding program length in credit hours to ensure consistency across the state. 
 
Flowchart of Program Alignment Process (PDF)
Detailed Description of Program Alignment Process (PDF)  
Program Alignment - Approved Credentials (PDF) 
Program Alignment Handbook (PDF)

Status At A Glance

The Program Alignment Team periodically publishes a short listing of all current and projected program alignment activity.

Status at a Glance - November 19, 2012 (PDF)
 

List of Aligned Programs