(1) This Procedure outlines the University’s processes for the development and approval of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs (hereafter programs) in conjunction with the Program Design Policy. (2) This Procedure also covers: (3) For Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs refer to the Higher Degree by Research Candidature Policy and associated policies and procedures. (4) UQ courses, programs, plans and shorter form credentials are managed within the University's curriculum management system. (5) Following initial consultation with the Associate Dean (Academic) proposals are developed in accordance with the UQ Program Development Framework and the requirements specified in Section 3 in consultation with identified stakeholders. The Executive Dean or the Associate Dean (Academic) may also set additional requirements as part of the development process. Following internal review, typically through the Coordinating Unit’s teaching and learning committee, proposals are referred to the Faculty through its Board of Studies, which will advise the Executive Dean on the proposed content and structure. (6) For new and major program initiatives, a Program Development Business Case must be approved by the Executive Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost before the detailed academic aspects of the proposal will considered by the Committee for Academic Programs Policy (CAPP). (7) If the Executive Dean is satisfied the proposal aligns with the UQ Strategic Plan and the Faculty’s strategic objectives they will refer the proposal to CAPP, except for: (8) CAPP reviews the academic and quality assurance aspects of the proposal, and ensures the requirements set under relevant University policies and/or procedures are met. The following proposals also undergo compliance checks before they are considered by CAPP: (9) Proposals may be referred by CAPP to the Academic Board for advice and recommendation (where required or at the discretion of CAPP) or directly to the relevant decision-maker as set out in section 4 ‘Roles and Responsibilities’. (10) All proposals must address the following details (if applicable) in the relevant template, or in supporting documentation: (11) The submission guide available from the Program Bulletin documents the minimum submission requirements and deadlines for types of program proposals to be referred to CAPP under the requirements of this Procedure. (12) In addition to clauses 10-11, proposals for new programs and major program initiatives must include: (13) If a faculty proposes to amend the program requirements of an existing program in such a way that may impede continuing students from meeting those requirements, then, in addition to clauses 10-11, the faculty must specify whether continuing students enrolled in the program: (14) Refer to ‘Transition and Teach-out Arrangements for Programs, Plans and Suites of Shorter Form Credential Modules’ provisions on the principles for transition arrangements. (15) If a faculty proposes to amend the structure and/or admission, enrolment or completion requirements for an existing suite of shorter form credential modules, in addition to clauses 10-11, the faculty must specify whether continuing students enrolled in the suite: (16) Refer to the ‘Transition and Teach-out Arrangements for Programs, Plans and Suites of Shorter Form Credential Modules’ provisions on the principles for transition arrangements. (17) Where a discontinuation of a program or plan that has student enrolments is proposed, a teach-out plan must be included in addition to the requirements of clauses 10-11. (18) If the faculty proposes to offer students enrolled in the program the option to transfer to an alternative program, the proposal must include a transition arrangement that specifies: (19) Refer to the ‘Transition and Teach-out Arrangements for Programs, Plans and Suites of Shorter Form Credential Modules’ provisions on the principles for transition and teach-out arrangements, and the ‘Transfer from an Undergraduate Program to a Postgraduate Program’ provisions. (20) Proposals to suspend a program or plan from new enrolments must outline arrangements for continuing students’ enrolment in the program/plan. Suspensions are approved for a period of up to 12 months. (21) Prior to the end of the suspension period, the faculty must advise CAPP on the status of the suspended program/plan. After considering the faculty’s submission, CAPP may recommend: (22) The faculty’s response to CAPP's recommendation will then be included in the submission provided to the relevant decision-maker as set out in section 4 ‘Roles and Responsibilities’. (23) Discontinuation of a suite of modules: (24) Discontinuation of a stand-alone module: (25) Suspension: (26) Refer to the ‘Transition and Teach-out Arrangements for Programs, Plans and Suites of Shorter Form Credential Modules’ provisions on the principles for transition arrangements. (27) Faculties must establish, manage, and review quality assurance arrangements for all transnational program offerings and/or arrangements with third party providers that teach a UQ program (parts of a program or a whole program) or shorter form credential, including both on-campus and partner institutions. (28) Where an external offering or arrangement between the University and an external party to teach a UQ program (parts of, or in its entirety) or shorter form credential is being developed as part of a new or restructured program or shorter form credential, in addition to the standard submission requirements in clauses 10-11, the faculty must meet the requirements set under the Collaborative Academic Programs Arrangements Policy and supply an Academic Quality Assurance Statement documenting the academic quality assurance arrangements put in place to ensure compliance with UQ policy, procedures and practices. (29) Approval of courses and course-level changes are normally the responsibility of the Executive Dean. (30) Despite clause 29, a proposal should be considered by CAPP when the course: (31) The Executive Dean or Associate Dean (Academic) may consult the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) to determine if a proposal under clause 30 should be considered by CAPP. (32) Stand-alone learning modules are approved by the Executive Dean or authorised decision-maker (typically the Head of School) and may be referred to CAPP for academic review at the discretion of the Executive Dean or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). (33) Stand-alone shorter form credential modules are approved by the Executive Dean, and suites of shorter form credential modules are referred to CAPP for academic review and approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (except where a shorter form credential suite is included in a program that leads to an AQF award). (34) In circumstances where a program or suite of shorter form credential modules is changed or discontinued, the faculty will either put in place appropriate arrangements to ensure students who have commenced the program or suite are given a reasonable opportunity to finish it or will make alternative provisions. (35) The following principles apply to transition and teach-out arrangements: (36) The Vice-Chancellor may approve a transitional scheme to allow students to transfer from an undergraduate program to a postgraduate program if the undergraduate program is being discontinued or replaced, wholly or partially, by a postgraduate program. (37) The transitional scheme must be set out in the program completion requirements for the postgraduate program. The following requirements will also apply: (38) The Vice-Chancellor may exempt courses coded at level 3 or higher and completed by students while enrolled in the undergraduate program from the limitation on the granting of credit towards a postgraduate program, only if they are comparable to the courses the student is required to undertake in the postgraduate program. (39) The Vice-Chancellor approves program development proposals, including: (40) The Provost recommends the strategic and financial aspects of new and major program initiatives before more detailed academic aspects of the programs are considered by the Committee for Academic Programs Policy and the Academic Board (where applicable). (41) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) recommends the proposed curriculum of new and major program initiatives before more detailed academic aspects of the programs are considered by the Committee for Academic Programs Policy and the Academic Board (where applicable). (42) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) makes recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor on proposals referred by the Academic Board for approval and assures they align with the University’s academic and strategic priorities. (43) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) approves: (44) The Academic Board is the principal academic advisory body to the University Senate. The Academic Board provides expert advice to the Senate, the Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Executive on all matters relating to and affecting University teaching, research and educational programs. (45) CAPP reviews the academic aspects of proposals prior to consideration by the Academic Board and/or the Senior Executive. The Committee also advised and makes recommendations to the Academic Board on matters of policy relating to admission, enrolment, and progression. (46) CAPP has established a number of sub-committees to perform compliance checks of program related changes, including Programs Sub-Committee (PSC) and Coursework Admission Standards Sub-Committee (CASSC). (47) The Executive Dean is responsible to the Provost and has overall accountability for the administration and quality assurance arrangements of academic programs and shorter form credentials offered by the Faculty, including: (48) The Executive Dean is also responsible for ensuring appropriate processes are implemented by the Faculty and the Coordinating Units to ensure proposals meet the requirements of relevant University policies and procedures. (49) The Faculty (or program-based) Board of Studies is responsible for advising the Executive Dean on current and future issues that relate to the development, content and structure pertaining to academic programs, courses, and shorter form credentials. Boards of Studies will generally: (50) The Associate Dean (Academic) oversees quality assurance processes in the Faculty and coordinating units in consultation with the Executive Dean and the Heads of Coordinating Units. (51) The Head of Coordinating Unit is responsible to the Executive Dean for the delivery and administration of courses, shorter form credentials and stand-alone learning modules. (52) The Academic Registrar is responsible for the University's program, course and shorter form credential catalogues and approves new and amended discipline descriptors. (53) The Academic Registrar approves applications for variations to the Academic Calendar and courses to be offered in non-standard teaching periods. (54) Where a program is to be made available to international students, the Academic Registrar is responsible for registering the program in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to meet the provisions of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000. (55) Academic Policy and Programs is responsible for monitoring the academic program approval process, the approval process of new and amended suites of shorter form credential modules and administering the curriculum management system and the Program Bulletin. (56) The Academic Board, through CAPP, is responsible for monitoring university-wide compliance with this Procedure for its effectiveness and ongoing relevance with regard to UQ’s strategic objectives. (57) Coordinating Units and Faculties are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of their internal processes and alignment with this Procedure. (58) The Academic Registrar will review this Procedure as required. (59) The records of all proposals initiated through this Procedure shall be managed in accordance with the Information Management Policy. (60) The President of the Academic Board reports annually to the Senate on program development proposals referred through the academic approval process and provides regular reports to the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) following each Academic Board meeting. (61) The Academic Registrar will provide reports relating to the program approval process to members of the University Senior Executive Team and the President of the Academic Board, as required. (62) Planning and Business Intelligence will make reports on the program approval process and applicable performance metrics available to unit leaders as required. (63) The Coordinating Units will provide reports to the Faculty as required. (64) Relevant legislation and information includes:Program Approval Procedure
Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
Section 2 - Process and Key Controls
Section 3 - Key Requirements
Submission Requirements
New Programs and Major Program Initiatives
Changes to Program Structure and Program Requirements
Changes to Structure and Requirements of an Existing Suite of Shorter Form Credential Modules
Discontinuations
Program Suspensions
Suspensions or Discontinuations of Shorter Form Credentials
Transnational Offerings and Teaching of a UQ Program or Shorter Form Credential through Third-party Arrangements
Courses, Shorter form Credentials and Stand-alone Learning Modules
Transition and Teach-out Arrangements for Programs, Plans and Suites of Shorter Form Credential Modules
Transfer from an Undergraduate Program to a Postgraduate Program
Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Vice-Chancellor
Provost
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Academic Board
Committee for Academic Programs Policy (CAPP)
Faculties
Refer to the Faculty, School and Institute Governance and Management Procedure for more information.
Coordinating Units
Academic Registrar
Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
Section 6 - Recording and Reporting
Records
Reports
Section 7 - Appendix
Definitions, Terms, Acronyms
Term
Definition
Building Block
See Section 2 of the Program Design Policy.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
The Australian Government register that lists all Australian education providers offering programs to people studying in Australia on student visas and the programs offered.
Coordinating Unit
The organisational unit that administers the course, typically a School or Institute.
Course
A distinct unit of study within a program, for which a grade is given. Each course is identified by its alphanumeric code, a title and a fixed unit value.
Dual Program
A sequence of study under one set of program requirements that leads to two awards conferred simultaneously on separate testamurs.
Foundation Program
A program offered by UQ College that prepares international students for study at UQ. Graduate of the Foundation Program are guaranteed admission to a range of UQ programs, provided requirements including quota restrictions, grade point average, subject prerequisite and English language proficiency are met.
Integrated Program
A sequence of study under one set of program requirements that leads to a combination of awards on a single testamur.
Joint Degree Programs
Programs for which students are awarded a UQ degree (on the basis of study at UQ and credit for study undertaken at the partner institution) and receive an award from the partner institution (based on study at the partnership institution and credit for study undertaken at UQ). The arrangements for awarding the degree may include:
Non-award Study
Where a student is enrolled to study one or more courses without being admitted to a program which leads to an award of this University.
Plan
A prescribed combination of courses within a program being either a field of study, major, extended major, specialisation, minor or extended minor.
Program
A sequence of study leading to the award of a qualification such as an undergraduate degree or diploma, and/or postgraduate coursework qualification.
Program Bulletin
Provides staff-only access to development resources for courses, programs, plans and shorter form credentials.
Program Requirements
For the purpose of this Procedure, program requirements mean the program structure (e.g., types and sizes of building blocks used), the courses to be taken to complete the program, and any specific conditions of the program set out in the additional rules, including enrolment and progression requirements.
Shorter Form Credential
A distinct unit of study with academically assessed learning outcomes, which is generally offered outside an award program and is usually completed in a short time frame. A shorter form credential may be structured as a single module (e.g. a MOOC), or as a suite of combined modules resulting in a larger credential (e.g. a MicroMasters®).
Stand-alone Learning Module
A University-led structured learning endeavour for which participants are not enrolled in a UQ course. Frequently, emphasis is placed on meeting the continuing professional development needs of individuals newly entering a field, returning to a field after a time of non-practice, maintaining currency, or in need of upgrading or updating skills. Stand-alone learning modules are not normally configured in SI-net.
Transnational Education
Means the marketing, enrolment processes and delivery of programs of study in a country other than Australia by UQ, where delivery includes a face-to-face component, regardless of whether or not the education and/or training leads to a UQ award.
Units
The value of an individual course which contributes to the total unit requirement of a program. 16 units equals 1 EFTSL – the equivalent full-time study load for a year.
Relevant Legislation and Information
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