Course Types

Credit Course​

A credit course in higher education is a class that, upon successful completion, counts towards the total number of credits required for a degree or certificate. Each course carries a specific credit value, reflecting its academic intensity and time commitment. Credit courses are integral to fulfilling curriculum requirements for graduation and may be transferable between institutions. They encompass a wide range of subjects and academic levels.​​

Noncredit Course ​

A noncredit course in higher education does not confer college credits upon completion. Instead, students complete a predetermined number of hours, focusing on skill development or personal enrichment. These courses cater to diverse educational needs and can be parallel to parent credit courses. They are tuition-free and provide valuable learning experiences without the pressure of grades or credit accumulation, making them accessible to a broader community. A noncredit course meets the needs of enrolled students and is classified into ten legislated instructional areas, which are 1. English as a Second Language (ESL); 2. Immigrant Education; 3. Elementary and Secondary Basic Skills; 4. Health and Safety; 5. Substantial Disabilities; 6. Parenting; 7. Home Economics; 8. Courses for Older Adults; 9. Short-term Vocational Programs; 10. Workforce Preparation.​​

Honors Course​

Honors courses offer a more in-depth and challenging curriculum, which can lead to a richer learning experience for students. Honors courses can attract and retain high-achieving students, contributing to the academic reputation of the institution and can better prepare students for graduate studies or advanced coursework in their field. Completing honors courses can provide students with a mark of distinction on their transcripts, which can be beneficial for academic and career opportunities.​​

Partially Online Course​

A Partially Online Course, also known as a Hybrid, combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods, offering a mix of face-to-face and remote learning experiences. This approach reduces the amount of time spent in a physical classroom, providing flexibility and convenience. Hybrid courses aim to leverage the strengths of both online and in-person education, enhancing accessibility and learning engagement.​​

Work Experience Course ​

A Work Experience Course is an educational program where students gain practical experience in a workplace setting, related to their field of study. Typically structured as internships or cooperative education (co-op) placements, these courses integrate academic learning with hands-on work. They are supervised by faculty members who guide students in setting learning objectives, provide regular feedback, and evaluate their performance. The course often requires students to reflect on their experiences through reports or journals. Credit hours are assigned based on participation and learning outcomes. This course is designed to enhance students’ professional skills, apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, and prepare them for future careers. The specific hours, credits, and faculty roles may vary by institution.​​

Experimental Course ​

An experimental course is a stand-alone credit course offered initially on a pilot basis. Full information on some approval criteria, such as feasibility or need, cannot be determined until the course is actually offered. After being offered twice, it must be submitted to the college curriculum committee for approval as a regular course or discontinued as an experimental course​​.
 

Articulation​

All articulation inquiries should begin with the Articulation Officer, Trevor Rodriguez (trodriguez@lbcc.edu), a member of the Curriculum Committee and multiple standing subcommittees.​

In their role, the Articulation Officer consults with discipline faculty to design and develop transferable courses, to identify courses needing articulation with baccalaureate level institutions, and to identify comparable courses at other colleges and universities.​

The Articulation Officer submits courses to the C-ID system and informs discipline faculty, the Curriculum Chair, and the Dean of Academic Affairs, of C-ID approvals, or conditional approvals, which may require periodic reminders of pending deadlines for course modifications.​

In the context of the California Community College system, the term “articulation” is defined as follows:​

Articulation refers specifically to course articulation: the process of developing a formal, written agreement that identifies courses (or sequences of courses) on a “sending” campus that are comparable to, or acceptable in lieu of, specific course requirements at a “receiving” campus.​

Successful completion of an articulated course assures the student and the faculty that the student has taken the appropriate course, received the necessary instruction and preparation, and that similar outcomes can be assured. In short, the articulation process enables the student to progress to the next level of instruction at the receiving institution. It is important to note that articulated courses are not to be construed as “equivalent” but rather as comparable, or acceptable in lieu of each other.​

All formal articulation agreements, associate degrees for transfer, and other articulation and transfer resources are available on the District’s articulation website, including agreements between the District and the higher education public systems (UC and CSU), which are housed on the Articulation System Stimulating Inter-Institutional Student Transfer (ASSIST). ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities.​

HELPFUL RESOURCES

• ASSIST​
  California’s Official Articulation Repository ASSIST is a computerized student-transfer information system that can be accessed at www.assist.org.​
   
• Numbering System (C-ID)​
  C-ID (Course Identification Numbering System) is a supranumbering, faculty-driven system to assign numbers to significant transfer courses, and a response to needs of transfer partners and their transfer initiatives. Each C-ID number identifies a lower-division, transferable course commonly articulated between the California Community Colleges and universities (including Universities of California, the California State Universities, as well as with many of California’s independent colleges and universities).Finalized and draft course descriptors may be found at: https://www.c-id.net/descriptors​
   
• Additional Information about the Articulation Process​
  Please peruse the California Articulation Policies and Procedures Handbook (revised Spring 2013).​
   

CTE Course Requirements​

Advisory Board Minutes​

For new and modified programs, Advisory Board minutes must show a motion and vote to approve creation and modifications of courses.​​

Labor Market Information (LMI)​

All new and modified CTE courses must provide Labor Market Information that is less than two years old. Refer to the Program and Course Approval Handbook (PCAH) for additional information.​