Related Instruction Overview for PCC One and Two-Year Certificates
The Oregon state accreditation board requires that certificate programs of 45 credits or more MUST include a recognizable body of instruction in program-related areas of 1) communication, 2) computation, and 3) human relations. PCC refers to this requirement as related instruction. This is different than AAS degrees where the related instruction requirement is fulfilled by 16 credits of general education, with a minimum of four credits in each distribution area.
Certificate program (45 credits or more): related instruction requirement may be fulfilled by:
- Stand-alone courses
- Embedded instruction
- A combination of stand-alone course(s) and embedded instruction
Stand-alone course(s) option:
- Use existing credit courses (must be 100 level or above) that address one or more of the program-related areas 1) communication, 2) computation, or 3) human relations.
- Create a new course that addresses the necessary area
- Any general education course that address the area
- Embedded instruction occurs simultaneously with program content instruction. Embedded instruction content and hours must be reflected in each course CCOG. SACS can identify embedded instruction hours to their courses only. Faculty must be qualified to teach the content.
- Embedded instruction is a two step process. It must be approved first by the curriculum committee and then approved by the Degree and Certificate Committee using the related instruction template.
Process of identifying and submitting related instructions:
- Review the related instruction guidelines posted on the web.
- Open the template for related instruction (excel document).
- Download the template and save to your desktop.
- Complete the spreadsheet. The calculations are embedded in the template so you will not need to do the calculations.
- Complete the new course or revised course forms identifying embedded related instruction and submit to the Curriculum Committee for review and recommendation.
- Submit the related instruction spreadsheet to Degrees and Certificates Committee after Curriculum has made their recommendation.
- Submit the instructor approval form to the VP of Academic Affairs.
- After the committees and VPs have reviewed and recommended the certificate's related instruction the template is submitted to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD).
Credit and Contact Hour Requirements for Related Instruction:
Certificates of 45 to 61 credits
Eight credits or 240 embedded hours of related instruction with representation in three program-related instructional areas, 1) communication, 2) computation, and 3) human relations. Two credits or 48 embedded instruction hours are required in each area. 2 credits or 96 embedded instruction hours are at the SAC’s discretion.
Certificates of 62 to 108 Credits
Sixteen credits or 480 embedded hours of related instruction with representation in the three program-related instructional areas, 1) communication, 2) computation, and 3) human relations. Four credits or 96 embedded instruction hours are required in each. Four credits or 192 embedded instruction hours are at the SAC’s discretion.
Contact Information: Stacey Timmins, 503-614-7813