Section 1252.40  Approved Programs of Geology

a)         The Department shall, upon the recommendation of the Board, approve a geology program if it meets the criteria set forth in this Section and the institution:

1)         Is legally recognized and authorized by the jurisdiction in which it is located to confer the appropriate degree;

2)         Has a faculty that consists of a sufficient number of full-time instructors to ensure educational obligations to the student are fulfilled.

A)        The faculty must have demonstrated competence as evidenced by appropriate degrees in their area(s) of teaching from professional colleges or institutions.

B)        A program at the basic level shall have no fewer than three full-time faculty members whose primary commitment is to the geology program.  If an institution relies on part-time faculty members, it shall demonstrate  that, in addition to the commitment of at least three full-time equivalent faculty members, effective mechanisms are in place to provide adequate levels of  student advising and faculty interaction, and faculty control over the curriculum;

3)         Has a geology program director;

4)         Has a curriculum with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent, of course credits in geology, of which 24 semester or 36 quarter hours are in upper level courses.

A)        The geology curriculum shall be designed to teach fundamentals and principles and practices of geology, and shall be designed to train the student to engage in the practice of geology.

B)        Geological courses.  For the purposes of fulfilling the requirements of Section 50(a)(3) of the Act, the 24 semester or 36 quarter hours in the upper level courses shall be from the following subject areas:

b)         In determining whether a school is legally recognized and authorized by the jurisdiction in which it is located to confer the appropriate degree, the Department shall take into consideration, but not be bound by, accreditation or approval by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; the New England Association of Schools and Colleges; the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; the Northwest Association of  Schools  and Colleges; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;  the Western Association of Schools and Colleges; and the Department of Education in each of the Canadian Provinces.