Coursework Monitoring, Review and Improvement Policy

Intent

This Policy establishes the principles and requirements for monitoring, review and improvement of James Cook University’s (JCU; the University) learning and teaching and research training programs.

This Policy addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Standard 5.3: Monitoring, Review and Improvement.

Scope

This Policy applies University staff in relation to all coursework programs and Higher Degrees by Research (HDR), in conjunction with external accreditation, for purposes of assuring academic quality within programs and improving current course delivery.

Definitions

Except as otherwise specified in this policy, the meaning of terms used are as per the Policy Glossary.

Program(s) – refers inclusively to Courses, Majors, Minors, Specialisations, Nested courses and Teaching Areas.

Unit(s) – refers inclusively to Subjects, Modules, and micro-units.

Principles

• Coursework currency, quality and sustainability are evaluated and improved through systematic reviews, professional accreditations and benchmarking by experts from inside and outside of the university.
• The quality of coursework offerings is measured by feedback from students graduates discipline experts and the community.

Policy

1. Comprehensive Course Reviews

1.1 All accredited courses of study are subject to periodic (at least every seven years) comprehensive reviews that are overseen by peak academic governance processes and include external referencing or other benchmarking activities.

1.2 A comprehensive course review includes consideration of:

a. the design and content of each course of study;

b. the expected learning outcomes;

c. the methods for assessment of those outcomes;

d. the extent of students’ achievement of learning outcomes;

e. emerging developments in the field of education;

f. modes of delivery;

g. the changing needs of students; and

h. identified risks to the quality of the course of study.

1.3 Comprehensive course reviews are informed and supported by:

a. regular interim monitoring;

b. the quality of teaching and supervision of research students;

c. student progress; and

d. the overall delivery of units within each course of study.

2. Course performance reports

2.1 All coursework programs will be monitored annually, in respect of key curriculum, accreditation and performance elements (course demand, retention, progression, cohort diversity and student feedback). More detailed reports may be undertaken on a risk basis.

2.2 Review and improvement activities include regular external referencing of the success of student cohorts against comparable courses of study, including:

a. analyses of progression rates, attrition rates, completion times and rates and, where applicable, comparing different locations of delivery, and

b. the assessment methods and grading of students’ achievement of learning outcomes for selected units of study within courses of study

2.3 Course performance reports will determine (based on risk) whether a course sustainability review is warranted.

2.4 Units are reviewed as per the Subject Quality Review Procedure and/or on a risk basis.

3. Feedback Loops

3.1 All students have opportunities to provide feedback on their educational experiences, and student feedback informs institutional monitoring, review and improvement activities.

3.2 All teaching staff and supervisors have opportunities to review student feedback on their teaching and research supervision and will be supported in enhancing these activities.

3.3 The results of regular interim monitoring, comprehensive reviews, external referencing and student feedback will be used to mitigate future risks to the quality of the education provided and to guide and evaluate improvements, including the use of data on student progress and success to inform admission criteria and approaches to course design, teaching, supervision, learning and academic support.

Related policy instruments

Comprehensive Course Review Procedure

Course Sustainability Procedure

Subject Quality Review Procedure

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Related documents and legislation

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Cth)

Administration

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

Approval Details

Revision History