Regulations for Self-Designed Academic Degree Patterns at King Faisal University
Introduction:
In the context of the global development and openness of the university education sector, and in alignment with the needs of the job market, the importance of progressing in the implementation of the initiative for self-designed academic degrees is highlighted. This initiative is part of the efforts to achieve the human capacity development program, particularly Goal 4-1-3, which is concerned with improving basic learning outcomes, as well as Goal 4-1-6, which states: "Ensuring alignment between education outcomes and job market needs." This, in turn, contributes to achieving Sub-Goal 4-1 of the Vision, which states: "Developing human capital in accordance with job market needs." The initiative also harmonizes with the ambitious vision of the Ministry of Education and meets a number of the Ministry's strategic goals.
The significance of this initiative is underscored by the fact that King Faisal University was chosen in the pilot phase among four universities nationwide. The proposal for self-designed academic degrees includes the general objectives of these degrees and the general controls for the patterns of self-designed degrees. It also includes a definition of each selected program (Double Major, Minor, Interdisciplinary Program, Joint Honor Degree, Self-Designed Program), its objectives, general controls, and the rules regulating admission, academic procedures, and graduation.
Chapter One: Definitions
Article One
The following terms and phrases - wherever they appear in these regulations - have the meanings indicated next to each, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Self-Designed Academic Degree
An academic degree awarded to a student enrolled in a primary academic program at the undergraduate level, alongside enrollment or study in another major that is not an extension of the primary major, under certain patterns and specific terms and conditions.
Primary Major
The academic major to which a student belongs at the time of admission, before joining another main major.
Another Main Major
Another major that does not represent a branch or is included in the primary major, chosen by the student from his/her college or another college under specific controls.
Double Major
A program that allows a student to obtain another main major in addition to the primary major, requiring the completion of at least 30% of the program hours for the other major, with these hours being specialized, excluding university requirements and elective courses.
Minor
A supporting major that allows a student to study in another major outside their primary major, requiring the completion of at least 15% of the program hours in the other major, with these hours being specialized and excluding university requirements and elective courses.
Interdisciplinary Program
A program that integrates two or more different main majors and cannot achieve its outcomes with a single major, culminating in a single qualification.
Joint Degree
An academic program that integrates two majors, culminating in a single qualification where both majors are indicated on the certificate.
Self-Designed Program
An academic program designed by the student by choosing specialized courses from more than one program, endorsed by the university according to regulations, culminating in a single qualification.
Chapter Two: Objectives of the Regulation and Types of Degrees
Article Two
The aim of this regulation is to organize the procedures for introducing self-designed academic degrees and the mechanisms for enrollment, study, and graduation in its various forms at the university, achieving a set of targets, most notably:
  1. Aligning education outcomes with job market requirements by providing multidisciplinary human competencies and capacities.
  2. Enhancing graduates' readiness to adapt to future changes in the job market.
  3. Improving the quality of knowledge acquisition and honing the skillful performance of graduates in several fields simultaneously.
  4. Introducing flexible programs in line with the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030.
  5. Offering specializations that consider the inclinations, desires, and needs of students.
  6. Increasing the operational efficiency of various departments and colleges.
Article Three
Self-designed degrees are offered in the following patterns:
  1. Double Major
  2. Minor.
  3. Interdisciplinary Program.
  4. Joint Degree.
  5. Self-Designed Program.
The university council, based on recommendations from Standard Committee for Curriculum and Programs Development, may determine other patterns as new trends emerge in the academic field and in a manner that serves the public interest.
Chapter Three: General Regulations for Self-Designed Academic Degrees
Article Four
  1. When approving self-designed academic degrees, the university adheres to the following in order:
  2. The double major or minor must be an existing specialization at the university, having a primary qualification granting a bachelor's or diploma degree, and from which at least three batches have graduated.
  3. Enrollment in a double major or minor is optional for students, and they cannot register in either until they have enrolled in their primary program.
  4. Academic departments must prepare a comprehensive description for their programs when offered as another main or minor specialization, or other self-designed degree patterns, specifying learning outcomes and then completing their accreditation according to the procedures for accrediting academic programs.
  5. The department offering a self-designed degree pattern forms a supervisory and follow-up committee to oversee the progress of enrolled students.
  6. Adequate academic guidance is a prerequisite for enrollment in any self-designed degree pattern.
  7. Academic departments offering programs as another main or minor specialization must adhere to an academic advisory plan for their students to ensure the program achieves its intended goals.
  8. A student is not allowed to enroll in a double major and minor simultaneously, or in more than one double major or minor simultaneously. With the approval of the university council, a student may add another after completing the requirements of the previous double major or minor, provided other enrollment conditions are met and the remaining duration for graduation is sufficient according to the university council system.
  9. A student may study courses in both the primary major and another main major or minor concurrently, subject to the regulations of study and examinations, especially regarding the student's academic workload each semester.
  10. A student is not graduated until they have fulfilled the requirements of their primary program. It is not mandatory to complete the requirements of the double or minor program, and the student may cancel their enrollment in them if they are unable to complete them.
  11. A student may cancel their enrollment in a double major or minor program due to stumbling or another acceptable reason by the relevant department, and in this case, is treated as withdrawing from specific courses as stipulated in Article 17 of the Study and Examination Regulations.
Chapter Four: Double Major
Article Five
In addition to what is stated in Article Four of these regulations, the following specific controls apply to the pattern of double major:
  1. In designing the other main major, the number of hours allocated to it should not be less than 30% of the hours of the concerned program, ensuring these hours are specialized and do not include university requirements and elective courses.
  2. The other main major must be different from the student's primary major and be offered by another college or academic department. The department specifies the enrollment conditions, including the necessary courses to join, the minimum required GPA, and the number of earned hours, considering:
    • A.   The student must pass at least 36 hours of the primary major's program.
    • B. The student’s cumulative GPA at the time of application must not be less than 3 out of 5, and the college may increase this minimum as it sees fit.
  3. The department determines the majors whose students can join its program as another main major, ensuring at least 30% overlap between the primary and other main majors. The university council may exempt from this percentage, provided that the total what the student enrolled in the other main program studies is not less than 60% of the program plan, excluding university requirements and elective courses.
  4. A maximum of 8 hours of overlap between the primary major and the other main major may be re-accounted for.
  5. Double majors and the conditions and controls for joining them are approved by a decision of the university council according to the established procedures for accrediting programs.
  6. The department clearly announces the program plan as another main major on the department's page on the university website.
Article Six
  1. Enrollment applications are made available before the start of each semester according to the timeline set by the Deanship of Admissions and Registration.
  2. Applications are sent to the concerned college for consideration and approval, based on the conditions and controls approved by the university council.
  3. Equivalency forms and individual enrollment plans are sent along with approval decisions for each accepted student.
  4. Students are not allowed to combine a primary major and another main major from the same detailed field according to SASCED.
  5. Students who have completed more than 75% of their primary program plan are not permitted to join another main major.
Article Seven
The academic procedures for students enrolled in double major are as follows:
  1. Course registration for the student in the other main major is done by a letter from the department offering the other major, considering the approved enrollment plan for the student.
  2. Students may withdraw from the other main major after the end of the semester. If they withdraw during the semester, they will receive a withdrawal indicator in courses not belonging to their primary major.
  3. If a student withdraws from the primary major, they are automatically withdrawn from the other major.
  4. If a student transfers from the primary major to another major, they may not continue in the double major program unless the new major is among those listed for joining the other main major.
  5. An additional two semesters are added to the duration required to complete the primary program, and this is considered when awarding honors and disbursing scholarships.
Article Eight
The graduation of students enrolled in double major programs is subject to the following:
  1. A single certificate is issued for the student that includes the primary and the other main major, along with related classification and level information, and the college of the primary major is the graduating college.
  2. Students enrolled in double majors are graduated only after completing all requirements for both the primary and other main majors, with the required cumulative GPA for both.
  3. Students cannot graduate from the other main major unless they have completed the graduation requirements of the primary major.
  4. Graduation from the other main major is decided by the council of the college to which the major belongs.
  5. If a student completes the primary major requirements and then withdraws from the other main major before completing its requirements, they are graduated from the primary major, and the last semester shown in the academic record is considered the graduation semester.
Chapter Five: Minor Specialization
Article Nine
In addition to what is mentioned in Article Four of these regulations, the following specific controls apply to the pattern of minor specializations:
  1. In designing the minor, the number of hours allocated should not be less than 15% of the hours of the concerned program, ensuring these hours are specialized and do not include university requirements and elective courses.
  2. The minor must be different from the student's primary major and be offered by another college or academic department. The department specifies the enrollment conditions, including necessary courses to join, the minimum required GPA, and the number of earned hours, considering:
    • A.   The student must pass at least 36 hours of the primary major's program.
    • B. The student’s cumulative GPA at the time of application must not be less than 3 out of 5, and the college may raise this minimum as it deems appropriate.
  3. The department determines the majors whose students can join its program as a minor specialization.
  4. A maximum of 6 hours of overlap between the primary major and the minor may be re-accounted for.
  5. Minor specializations and the conditions and controls for joining them are approved by Standard Committee for Curriculum and Programs Development according to the established procedures for accrediting programs.
  6. The department clearly announces the program plan as a minor on the department's page on the university website.
Article Ten
  1. Enrollment applications are made available before the start of each semester according to the timeline set by the Deanship of Admissions and Registration.
  2. Applications are sent to the concerned college for consideration and approval, based on the conditions and controls approved by Standard Committee for Curriculum and Programs Development.
  3. Equivalency forms and individual enrollment plans are sent along with approval decisions for each accepted student.
  4. Students are not allowed to combine a primary major and a minor from the same detailed field according to SASCED.
  5. Students who have completed more than 85% of their primary program plan are not permitted to join a minor.
Article Eleven
The academic procedures for students enrolled in minor specializations are as follows:
  1. Course registration for the student in the minor is done by a letter from the department offering the minor, considering the approved enrollment plan for the student.
  2. Students may withdraw from the minor after the end of the semester. If they withdraw during the semester, they will receive a withdrawal indicator in courses not belonging to their primary major.
  3. If a student withdraws from the primary major, they are automatically withdrawn from the minor.
  4. If a student transfers from the primary major to another major, they may not continue in the minor unless the new major is among those listed for joining the minor.
  5. The necessary duration to complete the studies of a student enrolled in a minor is the duration required for the primary major, with the university council allowed to add one additional semester to this duration.
Article Twelve
The graduation of students enrolled in minor specializations is subject to the following:
  1. A single certificate is issued for the student that includes the primary major, and the minor is not noted on it but is recorded in the student's academic record.
  2. Students enrolled in a minor are graduated only after completing all requirements for both the primary major and the minor, with the required cumulative GPA for the primary major.
  3. Graduation from the minor is decided by the council of the department to which the minor belongs.
  4. If a student completes the primary major requirements and then withdraws from the minor before completing its requirements, they are graduated from the primary major, and the last semester shown in the academic record is considered the graduation semester.
Chapter Six: Joint Degrees, Interdisciplinary, and Self-Designed Programs
Article Thirteen
In addition to what is mentioned in Article Four of these regulations, the following specific controls apply to the patterns of interdisciplinary and self-designed programs:
  1. The accreditation of joint degrees and interdisciplinary programs is subject to the university's program accreditation regulations.
  2. A specialized committee is formed by the decision of Standard Committee for Curriculum and Programs Development to study applications for designing self-designed programs. This committee is responsible for setting the rules and conditions for submitting applications and making recommendations to the Committee for Plans and Academic Systems.
  3. An interdisciplinary program must integrate two or more different main majors.
  4. Joint degrees and interdisciplinary programs are housed in an academic department according to SASCED and benchmark comparisons, and the program is designed by that academic department. The accreditation procedures are as per the usual program accreditation.
  5. Students may apply for designing a self-designed program by choosing courses from two or more different programs of the university, including their primary major. This requires approval from the specialized subcommittee, along with naming, classifying, and housing the program, in addition to obtaining the necessary approvals for program accreditation.
  6. An interdisciplinary program must have a distinct identity with learning outcomes different from the existing programs from which it is derived.
  7. If an interdisciplinary program is shared between two or more academic departments, the similarity in courses between the interdisciplinary program and the existing programs in the departments must not exceed 30% of the hours of each contributing program, ensuring these hours are specialized and do not include university requirements and elective courses.
Article Fourteen
Admission to joint degrees and interdisciplinary programs is subject to Article Eleven of the Regulations for Study and Examinations at the University Level and its executive rules.
Article Fifteen
  1. Upon completing the requirements of an interdisciplinary program, the student is awarded a single graduation certificate with the program name noted.
  2. Upon completing the requirements of a joint degree, the student is awarded a single graduation certificate in one of the following formats:
  3. Upon completing the requirements of a self-designed program, the student is awarded a single graduation certificate with the program name and other graduation details as approved at the time of the program's approval.
Chapter Seven: General Provisions
Article Sixteen
Except as stated in these regulations, the provisions of the Regulations for Study and Examinations at the University Level and its executive rules apply to the student.
Article Seventeen
The university council is responsible for interpreting these regulations.
Article Eighteen
These regulations shall be effective from the date of their approval by the university council.