Higher Education Accreditation
Stage 1
Guide for Resource and Planning
Submission
1 Introduction 5
2 Course Information 7
2.1 Course Overview Information 7
Course Code 7
Course Titles 7
Host Faculty 7
Sector Code 7
Start Date 7
Course Review Date 7
Course Type 9
AQF Level 9
Government Special Course Type Code 9
Standard Full Time Completion 10
Standard Part Time Completion 10
Volume of Learning/Duration 10
Credit Points 10
Contact Information 12
2.2 Course Ownership 13
2.3 Course Award (Award Title) 14
Post-Nominals 14
2.4 Majors and Specialisations 15
Major 15
Specialisation 16
2.5 Field of Education 17
Field of Education 17
3 Business Case 19
Strategic Significance 20
Benchmarking 21
Industry and Student Demand 22
Competition 23
Market (student demographic) 24
Risk Management 24
Collaborative Arrangements 26
Professional Accreditation 27
Nested and Integrated Courses 28
Course Quota 29
4 Course Resources 30
4.1 Total Resource Costs 30
4.2 Staffing Requirements 32
Current Staff 32
Additional Staff 33
5 Unit Development 34
5.1 Unit Development – New Units 34
5.2 Unit Development – Redeveloped Units 36
5.3 Unit Development – Reaccredited Units 37
5.4 Unit Development – Discontinued Units 38
6 Student numbers and targets 40
6.1 Course Load 40
Previous Course Load 40
Course Load Projections 40
7 Course Offerings 42
7.1 Course Admission 42
Year of Introduction 42
Semester of Introduction 42
School leavers 42
Domestic Student Admission Periods 42
International Student Admission Periods 42
CRICOS Registration 43
Funding Sources 44
7.2 Proposed Course Offerings 45
8 Course Structure 47
8.1 Course Structure Overview 47
9 Course Transitional Arrangements 49
9.1 Transitional Arrangements 49
Redeveloped/Superseded Course 49
Transitional Arrangements for continuing students 49
Termination Period 49
10 Course Pathways 51
10.1 Pathways 51
11 Course Published Information 53
11.1 SATAC and Other Published Course Information 53
Area of Study 53
Client Group 53
Entry Requirements 54
Proposed Assumed Knowledge 55
Criminal History Check Required 56
Course Description 57
Course Structure Description 58
Professional Recognition or Membership 60
Dual and Double Degrees 61
12 Course Consultation 62
Work Integrated Learning 62
Office of Learning and Teaching Involvement 62
13 More Information 63
14 Course approval 64
14.1 Workflow 64
1 Introduction
Why do we have to accredit our Higher Education Courses and Units?
CDU is a self-accrediting higher education provider, meaning that the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has authorised CDU to internally accredit its own higher education activities.
In order to maintain this standing we must have;
o highly effective academic governance processes and a robust internal capability to monitor and improve our higher education courses of study.
o a history of successful operation of the course(s) of study including systematic, mature internal processes for course quality assurance and the maintenance of academic standards and academic integrity.
CDU is responsible under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 for ensuring that our self-accredited courses (and units) comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards, and we need to consider the detailed criteria as part of our process.
What are the Regulations, Rules and Policies that govern Higher Education related to Accreditation?
· Higher Education Support Act (HESA)
· Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
· Higher Education Standards Framework (TEQSA)
· Common Course Rules (CDU)
· Units and Courses Policy (CDU)
What does the accreditation process look at?
The TEQSA Higher Education Standards Framework, Threshold Standards, ‘Provider Course Accreditation Standards’ includes 6 requirements;
o Course design is appropriate and meets the Australian Qualification Standards (AQF)
o Course resourcing and information is adequate
o Admission criteria are appropriate
o Teaching and learning are of high quality
o Assessment is effective and expected student learning outcomes are achieved
o Course monitoring, review, updating and termination are appropriately managed
Purpose of this manual
This manual provides information regarding the Course Accreditation and Registration Process and can be used to assist Schools with course design and development. Included are screen shots of each section in the Resource and Planning proposals found in CAPS. The order of screen shots in this manual is in alignment with the order in CAPS. The final version of the R&P should be entered into CAPS and submitted into the workflow.
Accreditation Category
If you are unsure of the R & P category please contact the Accreditation and Registration Team (ART) at
Upon accreditation all courses will be given new codes if they do not conform to the Unit and Courses Policy, regardless of whether they are new, reaccredited or redeveloped.
New Course: A course that is being developed in its own right. It is not based on the reaccreditation of a current course nor replacing a current course.
Reaccredited Course A course that is being reaccredited with no major changes which require a new course code being issued, other than to comply with the unit and course policy. However some changes may require transitional arrangements for continuing students.
Example: The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science was reaccredited, Core unit SPE310 was replaced by SPE311 and SPE312. The core units were amended however the changes are manageable in one student cohort.
When reaccrediting, a new course code should be considered when there are changes to core and or specialist elective units where current student course requirements cannot be managed (see superseding course).
Redeveloped Course: When a current course is being reaccredited and the reaccreditation leads to significant changes. The Redeveloped course should have same or very similar title. It is helpful to redevelop a course when there is a requirement to separate student cohorts i.e. students that commence the course prior to a particular date significant to course rule version change.
Transitional arrangements will be required during Stage 2 of the Quality Assurance process if there are any changes to the structure or course rules resulting from the new course. If the current course can be taught out (no changes to structure, units) for the termination period a separate transitional arrangement form is not required.
Example: The Bachelor of Nursing (pre-registration) is being accredited as the Bachelor of Nursing. There are numerous changes to core units. Students that have commenced the current course can continue in the course which they are currently enrolled into. Further consideration is needed on how the new course requirements will effect students in the current course (refer to Transitional Arrangements). In this case students in the current course would be encouraged, wherever possible to transition to the new course, and would not be subjected to the general course transfer rules.
Dual and Double Degrees
If proposed, the school must ensure that any dual degree courses have been developed in collaboration with the relevant academic staff from other school/s. Ordinarily the student will be required to enrol in both courses comprising the dual award. If a student is able to enrol in one course but will graduate with two awards the dual award is known as a double degree.
Dual and Double degree courses must be accredited in their own right and be designed such that the total volume of learning (measured by credit points) is less that the volume of learning of the two component courses added together. Double degree awards are usually listed under the field of study of the ‘host’ award. The entry statement should alert applicants to the existence of double/dual degrees. Each of the two component awards must also be accredited.
When completing Stage 1 Resource and Planning for a Dual or Double degree the Business case is not required to be completed as it is collected in the individual components of the two course submissions.
2 Course Information
2.1 Course Overview Information
Course Code
New codes may be allocated if the current code does not conform to the Unit and Courses Policy, regardless of whether they are new, reaccredited or redeveloped. Schools can suggest course codes using the following convention, a1aaa#:
· α1 = The AQF level of the course/s, based upon the conversions in table below
· αααα = the four letter Descriptor code describing the course/s. Ordinarily these four letters will be derived from the relevant ASCED field of education rather than the organisational entity (e.g. Faculty or School) providing the course. Where a three letter Descriptor code is used a 0 (zero) will take the place of the fourth letter.
· # = the version.
The following table indicates α1
α1 / Course Type/s / α1 / Course Type/sZ / Non-Award / M / Diploma / AD
Y / Diploma* / L / Diploma / Bachelor
X / Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree (AD)* / K / Diploma / Bachelor Honours
W / Bachelor* / J / AD / Bachelor
V / Bachelor Honours / I / AD / Bachelor Honours
U / Graduate Certificate* / H / Bachelor / Masters
T / Graduate Diploma* / G / Grad Certificate / Grad Diploma
S / Masters (by Coursework and Extended)* / F / Grad Certificate / Masters
R / Masters Research / E / Grad Certificate / Masters Research
Q / Cert 4 / Diploma / D / Grad Diploma / Masters
P / Cert 4 / AD / C / Grad Diploma / Masters Research
O / Cert 4 / Bachelor / B
N / Cert 4 / Bachelor Honours / A / Doctorate**
Please contact ART if you need further guidance regarding Course Codes.
Course Titles
This is the title of the course that the student will be enrolled into. It appears in the Course Catalogue, SATAC and on the students enrolment record. It is not necessarily the Award Title that is issued on the Testamur.
Principles for Determining Course Titles
o consistency with the provisions of the Australian Qualifications Framework;
o consistency with the Units and Courses Policy;
o accurate representation of course content;
o facilitation of promotion and marketing;
o requirements of professional bodies;
o consistency with nomenclature of similar degrees in other Australian Universities;
o whether the title is easily recognised by prospective students, employers and other stakeholders;
o whether the title is unambiguously identifiable with the level, broad disciplinary content, and (where applicable) professional orientation of the program;
o sustainability in the long term;
o the level and scope of graduate achievements;
o consistency international nomenclature;
o consistency within a nested set of qualifications;
o clear differentiation between research and coursework awards.
Host Faculty
This is the Faculty that is responsible for the course overall.
Sector Code
As CAPS is used for both Higher Education and VET, this question just confirms the sector is HE.
Start Date
The year in which this course or course version will commence. This has a direct relation to the accreditation cycle in which the course is being accredited. This should always be the 01/01/YYYY. This date ensures that the course is made available for the admission period and that it is reported correctly to the Department of Education. If for any reason you think that the course needs to commence on a different date please contact .
Course Review Date
Each course has a set accreditation review date. This date indicates when the course must next be reviewed and reaccredited. The standard review period is 5 years however due to a number of reasons including external body requirements, a course may require a shorter accreditation review period. The review date is recorded against the course, such as 31/12/2016 for a course due for reaccreditation in the 2017 cycle.
Courses that are not reaccredited by the accreditation review date are expired and no new students may enrol in the course.
The review date should always be recorded as 31/12/YYYY (YYYY = start date year plus 4 years).
How The Questions Appear In CAPS
Course Overview Section 1 NotesCourse Code
Course Title
Faculty
Sector
Start Date
Review Date
Course Type
CDU is required to record and report a Course Type for each HE course, these codes and terms are defined by the Australian Government Department of Education.
· 01 Higher Doctorate
· 02 Doctorate by research
· 12 Doctorate by coursework
· 14 Masters (Extended)
· 03 Masters (Research)
· 04 Masters (Coursework)
· 05 Postgraduate Qualifying or Preliminary (for Masters, Doctorate or Higher Doctorate)
· 06 Graduate Diploma/ Postgraduate Diploma (pass or honours) involving new academic, professional or vocational area
· 07 Graduate Diploma/ Postgraduate Diploma (pass or honours) extending skills and knowledge in a professional area previously studied
· 11 Graduate Certificate
· 08 Bachelors Graduate Entry
· 09 Bachelors Honours
· 10 Bachelors Pass
· 13 Associate Degree (Do Not select 413 for HE Associate Degrees)
· 20 Advanced Diploma
· 21 Diploma
· 22 Other undergraduate award course
· 30 Enabling course
· 41 Cross Institutional program for undergraduate courses at home Higher Education Provider
· 42 Cross Institutional program for postgraduate courses at home Higher Education Provider
· 50 Non-award course (including Bridging for overseas trained professionals)
AQF Level
The AQF level summaries are statements of the typical achievement of graduates who have been awarded a qualification at a certain level in the AQF. For further information regarding the AQF levels and requirements please visit: http://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf/in-detail/aqf-levels/
Government Special Course Type Code
These codes and terms are defined by the Australian Government Department of Education; the code identifies courses of special interest to the department. These include;
· 00 Not a course of special interest
· 21 A general nursing course required for initial registration
· 22 A course providing initial teacher training
· 23 A course of study in medicine, completion of which would allow provisional registration as a medical practitioner by an authority of a State, a Territory or the Commonwealth
· 25 A course of study in veterinary science, completion of which would satisfy the academic requirements for registration as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner by an authority of a State, a Territory or the Commonwealth.