One of the initiatives underway by the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) to enhance technical education in our state is the alignment of specific technical programs. This project is driven by the needs of business and industry in the state. Groups of business leaders are convened by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents with participation by program advisory committee members from our colleges to essentially “map” a preferred outcome for an occupational category, including accrediting body requirements for industry certification priorities from Kansas employers.

The purposeful outcomes of the project include:

• Allow business and industry to identify value-added exit points within programs,
• Identify and support student acquisition of nationally recognized 3rd party industry credentials.*
• Identify common courses that can serve as a bridge for articulation opportunities.
• Decrease the variability in program length.

* The program alignment process utilizes the requirements set forth by the recognized accrediting body as the foundational basis for aligned requirements. Individual accreditor standards, including any updates thereto, take precedence over program alignment documentation, and institutions are expected to adhere to accreditor requirements and subsequent updates within the prescribed timelines set by the accreditor. Questions regarding discrepancies between accrediting body standards and those reflected in program alignment should be directed to the KBOR/Workforce Development Team.

RESOURCES

• Program Alignment Handbook (pdf)
• Program Alignment Summary - Fall 2024 (pdf)
• Institution Program Alignment Verification – Webinar 3/9/26 (pdf)
• Program Alignment FAQ (pdf)