In the American system of higher education, a ‘COLLEGE' is an accredited academic institution authorized to offer Bachelor's Degrees (first degrees) and Master's Degrees (second degrees). A ‘UNIVERSITY' is an accredited academic institution authorized to offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorial Degrees. Monroe does not offer doctorial degrees.
Monroe College -St. Lucia is an American institution of higher education and offers an American education, and American degrees. It holds the two highest accreditations available to any American college or university: New York State Department of Higher Education (http://www.highered.nysed.gov/) accreditation, and accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.msche.org/) Details can be found at their web sites or at http://www.monroecollege.edu/. In addition the St. Lucia Ministry of Education authorizes the College to grant degrees in St. Lucia.
Middle States is the only legally authorized agency to accredit degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region of the United States, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several locations internationally. That authorization is granted under strict regulations set by the U.S Department of Education. The US Department of Education DOES NOT directly grant accreditation to colleges and universities.
Academic standards, course content, grading systems, qualifications for graduation, tutor requirements, etc are all defined by these accreditation agencies.
A bachelor's degree in the American systems requires 8 semesters of study, the completion of 40 courses or 120 credits. Monroe College believes that students benefit from an accelerated academic year that offers three academic semesters during the 12-month calendar year. Each semester is a standard 15-week course of study. Generally, semesters run from September to December, January to April, and from May to August. As a result, many students complete a traditional one-and-a-half academic year of study in just 12 months, allowing them to complete their bachelor's degree in eight semesters - two years and nine months.
Under the laws and standards that regulate accredited American colleges and universities, institutions are REQUIRED to grant students exemptions (transfer credits) for previous study. Such exemptions are strictly regulated by the accrediting agencies.
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Students who have successfully completed courses at the community college level, which includes accredited institutions like AOE, Cambridge University International Examinations, and the Association of Chartered and Certified Accounts (UK), are entitled to have those courses evaluated for exemptions to a maximum of 23 courses (69 credits).
- Students who have successfully completed courses at an accredited academic institution that is authorized to award bachelors and/or masters degrees are entitled to have those courses evaluated for exemptions to a maximum of 30 courses (90 credits).
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Exemptions can only be granted for courses successfully completed with a grad of "C' or better and must be directly applicable to the student's program of study at Monroe.
In the American system a 'full-time student' is defined by the number of courses taken in a single semester and not by the days or times when the courses are held. A full-time student is one who takes at least four courses (12 academic credits) during an academic term. Those courses can be taken at night, during day hours, weekends, or online. A ‘part-time student' is one who takes less than four courses a semester, regardless of the days and hours of attendance.
As defined in the American accreditation regulations, all academic instructors, professors, and tutors who teach at the bachelor's level MUST have successfully completed a bachelor's degree and a master's degree at an accredited college or university. Unlike British academic institutions, individuals who hold a master's degree only, a bachelor's degree only, or a master's degree and a diploma are INELIGIBLE and do not hold sufficient academic credentials to be employed as lecturers, professors, or tutors.
Faculty members who teach at the master's level must hold at least a bachelor's degree and a doctorial degree from an accredited university. An exception may be made for an individual who holds a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees, and exceptional practical experience.
Monroe rigorously adheres to these standards. In addition, Monroe requires that instructional staff have prior teaching experience and five years of successful practical experience in their academic fields.
