3.4.7: The institution ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered through consortial relationships or contractual agreements, ensures ongoing compliance with the comprehensive requirements and evaluates the consortial relationship and/or agreement against the purpose of the institution.  Narrative:   The University of Texas (UT) at Arlington ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered through consortial relationships or contractual agreements, ensures ongoing compliance with the comprehensive requirements and evaluates the consortial relationship and/or agreement against the purpose of the Institution. UT Arlington has entered into both contractual and consortial relationships for the delivery of instruction. The majority of UT Arlington’s consortial agreements are international exchange agreements. The University also has several joint program agreements and participates in the UT System Telecampus [1], where students can take courses and earn degrees via the web.   Definitions:  UT Arlington uses the SACS definitions for consortial relationships and contractual agreements. Therefore, a consortial relationship is defined as “one in which two or more institutions share in the responsibility to develop courses and programs that meet mutually agreed-upon standards of academic quality.” A contractual agreement is defined as “one in which an institution enters an agreement for receipt of courses/programs or portions of courses or programs (i.e., clinical training, internships, etc.) delivered by another institution or service provider.” International consortial relationship and contractual agreements are located in the Office of the President, and domestic agreements are located in the Office of the Provost.   International Exchange Agreements:  In accordance with its commitment to cultural and ethnic diversity and the advancement of global understanding, UT Arlington supports a number of agreements with international institutions. These agreements, both consortial and contractual, are designed to allow easy transfer of equivalent credit.  International exchange agreements are entered into only after a thorough review and evaluation of the proposed contractual relationship. UT Arlington follows the guidelines established by the UT System Agreement of Cooperation between institutions. [2] UT Arlington’s International Office provides guidance and technical assistance to faculty regarding policy on agreements with outside entities and the development of cooperative agreements with international institutions. Said agreements are further guided by the SACS Policy Statement on Establishing Affiliate or Technical Assistance Relationships with International Institutions. [3] Proposed agreements are reviewed for academic soundness by all levels of University administration including, but not limited to, the President, Provost, Dean of Graduate Studies, academic colleges/schools and departments. All agreements between the University and other entities are subject to state mandates. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) requires annual program reports on all reciprocal agreements. [4]   Exchange agreements with international institutions fall into three categories: (a) reciprocal, (b) affiliated and (c) non-affiliated. Reciprocal programs allow students to earn UT Arlington resident credit reported in the form of UT Arlington letter grades. Affiliated programs permit students to earn pass/fail UT Arlington resident credit, and these programs offer study in countries around the world in a variety of disciplines. Non-affiliated programs are not affiliated with the University, and transfer credit may only be obtained through a rigorous review and approval by the disciplinary department. Reciprocal, affiliated and non-affiliated exchange agreements are located on the UT Arlington Study Abroad website. [5]  Articulation Agreements:  UT Arlington has several articulation agreements with local high schools, community colleges and universities. Said agreements delineate specific requirements for students anticipating to attend or transfer to UT Arlington. The agreements are intended to assist students in making effective transitions between institutions. Articulation agreements are located on the Admissions website. [6]  UT TeleCampus: The University of Texas (UT) Telecampus allows UT Arlington students to take Internet-delivered courses from other UT System institutions for UT Arlington credit. UT Telecampus offers completion, certificate, degree, and certificate and endorsement programs. [7] Joint Degree Programs:  UT Arlington has four joint graduate degree programs: (a) MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering, (b) Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health, (c) PhD in Social Work and (d) PhD in Urban and Public Administration. MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering: The MS/PhD degree program in Biomedical Engineering is jointly offered with the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Students can apply for admission to either institution, and depending on their chosen track of study, students can take courses at both institutions. [8] The student’s home institution confers the degree. Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health: The Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health is jointly offered with the UT Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health-Dallas Campus. [9] Students must apply to both institutions. UT Arlington confers the Master of Science in Nursing, and the UT Health Science Center at Houston confers the Master of Public Health. PhDs in Social Work and Urban and Public Administration: The PhDs in Social Work [10] and Urban and Public Administration [11] give students the option of studying at the Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Students take their first year of doctoral courses in Mexico and complete their second year at UT Arlington. Students then complete their third year and receive their degree from their home institution. Cooperative Degree Programs: UT Arlington has one cooperative graduate degree program, a PhD in Philosophy, which is offered cooperatively with the University of North Texas (UNT). [12] Students apply through UNT and then take at least 15 credit hours at each institution. UNT confers the PhD in Philosophy. Quality of Programs:  All degree programs, regardless of whether they are offered on campus or through contractual means, follow the same curricular/program review processes. Undergraduate [13] and graduate [14] curriculum development and review responsibilities resides with the curriculum committees of the various departments, programs and colleges/schools. Each academic unit on campus, at both the departmental and college/school levels, has a curriculum and/or program committee comprised of faculty members. These committees are constituted according to the guidelines of each unit and have the responsibility for curriculum oversight and development at those levels. Guidelines for curricular development are clearly outlined in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP), Sections 3-504 [15] and 4-303, [16] and the Faculty Guide. [17] These guidelines state that general oversight for curriculum development at the University level is provided by the Undergraduate and Graduate Assemblies, respectively. Both assemblies are composed of faculty members from all academic units and are elected by the faculty according to a proportionate ratio system.    At the program level, the program review [18] and Unit Effectiveness Process [19] are the primary mechanisms for evaluating consortial relationships/agreements against the purpose of the mission. According to the UT Arlington Program Review Manual, [20] the two components of the program review process are the program self-study, which is prepared by the faculty and department chair, and an evaluation by a team of internal and external consultants. The effectiveness of curriculum is evaluated by the faculty of each degree program through the biennial Assessment Plan, which is part of the Unit Effectiveness Process. All academic programs are required to develop an Assessment Plan where learning outcomes for their specific program are identified and assessment is mandated. Program learning outcomes are assessed on a biennial basis and included as part of the Unit Effectiveness Process Report, which is submitted at the end of each assessment period.