Professional Accreditation of Courses and/or Disciplines Procedure

Intent

This Procedure specifies the University approval and monitoring processes for all professional accreditations to ensure professional accreditation of a course of study is achieved and maintained in order for graduates to be eligible to practice. Whilst external accreditation in not linked to domain 5 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), this procedure is integrated into the curriculum accreditation approval process and provide assurance that the course of study is accredited and continues to be accredited by the relevant professional body.

This Procedure also provides credible business continuity plans and tuition safeguards to mitigate disadvantage to students who are unable to progress in a course of study due to unexpected changes to the University’s operations, including circumstances where JCU does not maintain professional accreditation for a course of study or is otherwise not able to offer a course of study

This Procedure addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Standards 3.1.5 and 6.1i.

Scope

This Procedure applies to University staff involved with both mandatory and voluntary professional accreditation of courses and/or disciplines based at all campuses, including the Singapore and Brisbane campuses.

Definitions

Except as otherwise specified in this procedure, the meaning of terms used are as per the Curriculum Design, Coursework Approval and Accreditation Policy or the Policy Glossary.

Accreditation – encompasses provisional, interim or conditional accreditation and re-accreditation.

Mandatory accreditation – accreditation that is a pre-requisite for course graduates to be registered or otherwise licensed to practice in a regulated profession.

Voluntary accreditation – accreditation that is undertaken at the discretion of the University. This includes accreditation that is a prerequisite for graduates to be members of the relevant professional body but not a pre-requisite for graduates to practice in the relevant profession.

Accrediting body – the body responsible for accrediting courses and/or disciplines on behalf of the profession.

Accreditation submission – the documentation submitted by the University to the accrediting body as a set requirement of the accreditation process.

Accreditation report – the report produced by the accrediting body on the outcomes of the accreditation process and any conditions that are required to be met.

Accreditation response – the response provided by the University to the accrediting body regarding the accreditation report outcome and may include responses to conditions to be met as stipulated by the accrediting body.

JCU Contact – the responsible officer of JCU identified on accreditation documents as the contact point for the Accrediting Body on all matters pertaining to the accreditation.

Introduction

Accreditation by professional bodies entails a significant investment of University resources and brings a range of benefits to the University, its courses and disciplines, and its students. These include:

• Enabling professional registration under the National Registration and Accreditation scheme;
• Eligibility for professional body membership;
• Recognition of graduates by employers;
• Graduate employment mobility;
• Independent quality assurance and enhancement;
• Opportunities for comparisons against national and internationally endorsed standards; and
• Reputational benefits that flow from the above.

Procedure

1. Accreditation (including Re-accreditation)

1.1 All course and discipline accreditation submissions, responses and action plans will be endorsed by the relevant College Dean and approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academy. Proposals will provide a strategic assessment of the balance between the benefits of accreditation and the resourcing required to achieve and maintain the accreditation.

1.2 The College Dean or Course Coordinator will determine where external accreditation is mandated and as appropriate and in consultation with the Curriculum Management and Accreditation (CMA) team, will submit proposals to initiate new or to cease existing mandatory accreditations for approval by Curriculum Committee.

1.2.1 In situations where accreditation is not mandated the College Dean or Course Coordinator will determine where voluntary accreditation is warranted and as appropriate and in consultation, will submit proposals to initiate new or to cease existing voluntary accreditations for approval by Curriculum Committee. Where initiation of a new accreditation applies to a proposed new course, the proposal for accreditation should be included in the course approval documentation so that it can be considered in the course approval process. For an existing course, the proposal to initiate a new accreditation must be sent to the Curriculum Management and Accreditation (CMA) team to be submitted for review at Academy Executive Committee prior to submission to Curriculum Committee and Academic Board.

1.2.2 Develop credible business continuity plans and tuition safeguards to mitigate disadvantage to students who are unable to progress in a course of study due to unexpected changes to the higher education provider’s operations, including if the provider loses professional accreditation.

1.2.3 Where the accrediting body advises they are no longer offering course accreditation and direct the University to remove all reference to the specific accreditation, then this decision and course amendment to the accreditation status of the course will be submitted to Curriculum Committee for noting and action, then to the Academic Board for noting.

1.2.4 Any course that must achieve full accreditation prior to offering the course must seek clarification, in writing, by the accrediting body. This must be included in any business case proposal.

1.2.5 The risks associated with ceasing, or failing to achieve, the accreditation should be clearly identified, along with any mitigating strategies. Proposals to cease accreditation will be submitted at least 12 months prior to the accreditation expiry date, except where unforeseen circumstances necessitate a shorter timeframe and have no detrimental impact on currently enrolled students.

1.3 In conjunction with the discipline, the Manager, Curriculum and Accreditation, will:

1.3.1 Project manage or oversee accreditation submissions in alignment with the accreditation schedule.

1.3.2 Gain internal approval of the accreditation submission prior to it being provided to the accrediting body.

1.3.3 Provide the accreditation submission to the accrediting body and hold copies of all accreditation submissions, reports, responses, action plans, annual reports and progress reports.

1.3.4 Ensure relevant curriculum changes are appropriately communicated to the accrediting body.

1.3.5 Lodge credible business continuity plans and tuition safeguards into the CMA team to mitigate unexpected changes to the higher education provider’s operations, including if the provider loses professional accreditation.

1.3.6 Communicate accreditation outcomes and requirements with appropriate college and divisional staff, including disseminating information to marketing and other areas of the university as required.

1.4 The Vice Chancellor, DVC Academy, College Dean and other relevant senior staff, or their nominees will make themselves available for meetings with representatives of an accrediting body during a site visit as required.

1.5 Upon receipt of the accreditation report the recipient will ensure copies are provided to the DVC Academy and Manager, Curriculum and Accreditation, the relevant College Dean, and the relevant Academic Head.

2. Monitoring

2.1 Professional accreditation matters will be a standing item on the agendas of the appropriate Academy committees. Such matters will include:

• amendments required to course handbook entries on course accreditation status;
• timing of forthcoming accreditations, any associated concerns and steps to resolve these;
• submissions, including current status or any issues/risks with regards to submission;
• accreditation visit programs;
• accreditation outcomes including reports, action plans and progress reports; and
• issues arising, steps to be taken to resolve these and any parties to be advised or consulted.

2.2 The Manager, Curriculum and Accreditation will establish and maintain schedules of the professional accreditations of courses/disciplines.

2.3 The annual course performance report for each accredited course will note the current accreditation status and any issues or actions arising.

2.4 The course handbook will provide current and accurate information on the accreditation status of each professionally accredited course and be checked for accuracy by the office of the Dean, Education Design, Quality and Standards.

2.5 The DVC Academy will provide an appropriate certification at the end of each year regarding compliance with the provisions of these accreditation procedures. An agreed template/report will be used for this certification and will include advice on any significant issues arising from accreditation submissions or processes.

2.6 New courses or changes to existing course/discipline arrangements will outline any professional accreditation implications associated with these proposals and mitigation strategies to ensure no student is disadvantaged by changes in professional accreditation.

2.7 Where proposed changes are pertinent to professional accreditation, the JCU Contact, in consultation with the Manager, Curriculum and Accreditation, the relevant College Dean and Academic Group Head(s), will ensure that the accrediting body receives timely advice regarding the changes.

2.8 To further ensure that professional accreditation is fully integrated, and that relevant HESF standards can be evidenced, the Academy will advise Academic Board (via Curriculum Committee) of any accreditation issues identified through review of accreditation outcomes and annual course performance reports and comprehensive course reviews, including integration into the annual planning cycle, University wide themes and good practice examples.

2.9 Any changes to accreditation standing will be communicated to the relevant student cohort via the Course Coordinator, Academic Head or College Dean

Related policy instruments

Curriculum Design, Coursework Approval and Accreditation Policy

Coursework Approval Procedure

Curriculum Design Procedure

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Administration

NOTE:  Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History