Academic Affairs Processes and Procedures

Effective Date: 2024

1. Purpose
These are established guidelines for the Direct Credit program between Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and partnering K-12 school districts that offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This pathway program allows approved K-12 educators to teach CTE programs equivalent to GVSU courses, fulfill high school graduation requirements, and generate GVSU transcripts for participating students.

2. Eligibility
2.1 K-12 School Districts: A formal partnership agreement must be reached with GVSU to participate in the Direct Credit program.
2.2 K-12 Educators:
      a. Must be employed by a partnering K-12 school district.
      b. Must hold appropriate teaching credentials as required by the State of Michigan.
      c. Must meet GVSU's adjunct faculty qualifications for the specific course they will teach.
2.3 Students:
      a. Must be enrolled in a participating K-12 school district.
      b. Must meet any prerequisites for the GVSU course as outlined in the university catalog.
      c. Must have approval from their high school counselor or administrator to enroll in the Direct Credit course.
      d. Must earn a B or better in the approved program to qualify for direct credit.
      e. Must not have a past-due balance at GVSU.

3. Course Approval Process
3.1 The K-12 school district submits a Direct Credit course equivalency proposal form to GVSU's Office of the Provost.
3.2 GVSU's relevant academic department reviews the proposed course syllabus, learning outcomes, and assessment methods to ensure equivalency with the corresponding GVSU course.
3.3 Upon approval, the course is added to the approved Direct Credit offerings list.

4. Instructor Approval and Support
4.1 K-12 educators interested in teaching a Direct Credit course must submit Faculty Qualifications Assurance (FQA) documents (e.g., transcript and resume).
4.2 Approved instructors will be assigned a GVSU faculty mentor from the relevant academic department.

5. Course Delivery and Assessment
5.1 Direct Credit courses will be taught on the Career Tech Center or High School campuses during the regular school day.
5.2 Courses must:
      a. Follow the approved GVSU syllabus of record.
      b. Use instructional materials that align with GVSU's equivalent course.
      c. Use consistent assessment methods and grading standards with those used in the GVSU equivalent course.
5.3 GVSU reserves the right to conduct periodic site visits.
5.4 GVSU will regularly evaluate the course to ensure the quality and consistency.

6. Credit and Transcripts
6.1 Students who complete a Direct Credit course, earn a B or better in that course, and opt-in to GVSU's Direct Credit program will receive GVSU college credit.
6.3 GVSU will generate an official transcript for each student, reflecting the course name, credit hours, and grades earned.
6.4 Credits earned through the Direct Credit program are applied to GVSU degree programs and may be transferable to other institutions, subject to their transfer policies.

7. Reporting
7.1 After successfully completing their CTE program, students will be registered for the GVSU equivalent Direct Credit course and counted in the GVSU semester in which they complete the CTE course.
7.2 Direct Credits students will be reported as a separate total and excluded from GVSU census reporting.

8. Program Fees
8.1 Direct Credit partners will be charged a program fee, as outlined in their MOU agreement.
8.2 Payment arrangements will be established between GVSU and the partnering K-12 districts, as outlined in their MOU.
8.3 Program fees are not part of the general fund budget and are managed by the Division of Academic Affairs.

9. Program Evaluation
9.1 The Office of the Provost, in partnership with academic program personnel, will evaluate the Direct Credit program annually by analyzing student performance data instructor feedback, and alignment with course and university standards.
9.2 The Office of the Provost will collaborate with University Budget Staff to perform an annual evaluation of the Direct Credit program's financial performance and resource allocation.
9.3 The university reserves the right to modify or terminate the Direct Credit program based on evaluation results and institutional priorities, which may include the yield of future students.

10. Guideline Review
10.1 The Office of the Provost will review these guidelines annually in collaboration with relevant academic departments and K-12 partners. Modifications will be promptly communicated to all stakeholders.