(1) This Procedure provides direction on the requirements for the accreditation of new Higher Education (HE) Award courses, new majors, new minors and new units. (2) HE Award courses include: (3) It also provides direction on the re-accreditation process undertaken periodically for all HE Award courses. (4) This Procedure applies to: (5) This Procedure does not apply to: (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) Refer to Courses Lifecycle Policy. (14) Victoria University (VU) is a self-accrediting higher education provider. This means that VU is responsible for: (15) In exercising this authority, VU is also responsible for ensuring that compliance across all the HESF is sustained throughout all HE operations. (16) For HE Award courses, VU meets these requirements through a rigorous Award course accreditation and re-accreditation process. (17) Prior to Award course accreditation, a Course Proposal and Business Case must be prepared for all proposed new HE Award courses or new majors (Refer to Courses Lifecycle - Concept Proposal and Business Case (HE) Procedure). (18) Award course development cannot commence until the Course Proposal and Business Case is endorsed as prescribed in that Procedure. (19) The accreditation of a new Award course must comply with: (20) The College must develop an Award Course Curriculum Proposal. This documentation is prepared within the template provided, with fields that assist preparers in understanding the questions. (21) All Award Course Curriculum Proposals must include detailed learning and teaching information, including: (22) Where an Award course will be offered to international students, CRICOS details must also be included (Refer to Courses Lifecycle - CRICOS Registration and Management Procedure [pending]). (23) If the Award course requires Professional Accreditation, details must be provided regarding this matter. Evidence of consultation with relevant Professional Accreditation bodies is required. (Refer to Courses Lifecycle – Professional Accreditation Procedure [pending].) (24) Where an Award course is to be offered interstate or offshore, key quality assurance details as directed by the template must also be provided regarding the particular delivery location and / or partner arrangement. Evidence of consultation with relevant partners is also required. (25) Where new Award majors are proposed to be accredited as part of a New Award Course, they will be considered, consulted upon and accredited as part of that package. (26) New majors must specify the balance of units at foundational, intermediate and advanced levels of knowledge and skills. (27) Where new majors are proposed outside of the context of a new Award course accreditation, they must: (28) Where new minors are proposed as part of a New Award Course, they will be considered, consulted upon and accredited as part of that package. (29) Where new minors are proposed outside of the context of a new Award course, they will be attached to a course undergoing a Major Amendment process (this could constitute the major amendment itself). (30) Where new units are proposed as part of a new Award Course, they will be considered, consulted upon and accredited as part of that package. (31) New units must specify a unique set of unit learning outcomes, the achievement of which are measured by appropriate assessment tasks specified in the unit introduction. (32) Where new units are proposed outside of the context of a new Award course, they will be attached to a course undergoing a Major Amendment process (this could constitute the major amendment itself). (33) HE Award Courses must be submitted for re-accreditation following the completion of a Comprehensive Course Review (CCR) process (refer to Courses Lifecycle - Comprehensive Course Review (HE) Procedure). (34) When an HE Award course is submitted for re-accreditation, the outcomes of the CCR must be included in the documentation. (35) The Award Course Curriculum Proposal is submitted to the College Course Advisory Group or equivalent. (36) The Committee recommends the Award Course Curriculum Proposal to the Executive Dean or delegate. (37) The Executive Dean or delegate recommends the Award Course Curriculum Proposal to the Courses Committee of Academic Board. (38) Courses Committee recommends the Award Course Curriculum Proposal. (39) The Academic Board endorses the Award Course Curriculum Proposal to the Vice-Chancellor or delegate. (40) The Director, Academic Quality and Standards, checks the Award Course Curriculum Proposal and submits to the Vice-Chancellor. (41) The Vice Chancellor approves the Award Course Curriculum Proposal. (42) If the Award course results in a new Award of the University, the Vice-Chancellor's approval also declares the Award. (43) Coding Protocol (located under ‘Resources’).Courses Lifecycle - Award Course Accreditation (HE) Procedure
Section 1 - Summary
Section 2 - Scope
Top of PageSection 3 - Definitions
Section 4 - Policy Statement
Section 5 - Procedures
Part A - Roles and Responsibilities
Roles
Responsibilities
College staff
Prepare Award course curriculum documentation as guided by template.
College Course Advisory Group or equivalent
Considers and recommends the Award course curriculum proposal to the Executive Dean or delegate.
Executive Dean of College or delegate
Recommends the Award course curriculum proposal to the Courses Committee of Academic Board.
Courses Committee
Considers and recommends the Award course curriculum proposal to Academic Board.
Academic Board
Via acceptance of Courses Committee minutes, endorses the Award course curriculum proposal for final approval.
Director, Academic Quality and Standards
Reviews the final, endorsed course curriculum proposal to ensure it is complete and ready for approval.
Forwards the Award course curriculum proposal to the Vice-Chancellor for signature.
Vice-Chancellor or delegate
Approves the Award course curriculum proposal, which has the effect of:
a) accrediting the course; and
b) declaring the Award, if a new Award of the University is being created.Part B - General
Part C - Before Accreditation
Part D - Accrediting a New HE Award Course
Requirements for Accreditation
Preparing the Award Course Curriculum Proposal
Part E - Accrediting New Majors
Part F - Accrediting New Minors
Part G - Accrediting New Units
Part H - Re-accrediting an HE Award Course
(29) The re-accreditation process involves the same endorsement and approval steps as for accreditation of a new course, with the exception of the Concept Proposal and Business Case step, which is not required. (see Part I).Part I - Endorsements and Approvals
Section 6 - Guidelines
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