(1) This Procedure is effective from 01 January 2022. (2) This Procedure documents the University's higher education courses approval and review processes. (Refer to the Academic Programs Approval and Review website) (3) This Procedure applies to higher education award and non-award courses offered by the University. (4) This Procedure is pursuant to the Higher Education Courses policy. (5) Proposals for new courses, and revisions and continuations of existing courses require two stages of approval: (6) Proposals for discontinuations of existing courses require strategic approval only. (7) Approval of new award courses require both strategic approval and academic approval. Strategic approval is required before academic approval is granted. (8) Strategic course proposals will be: (9) A course risk rating will be assigned to each course as part of the strategic approval process. The process and criteria for assigning risk ratings will be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. (10) Academic course proposals will be: (11) New award courses will normally be approved for six years. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education may approve a shorter approval period on request from the Faculty. (12) Proposals for new combined courses where one or both component courses are also new will be developed and approved using the processes set out in clauses 7-11. (13) Proposals for new combined award courses created from existing approved award courses will be: (14) Proposals for revisions listed in clauses 15 and 16 to award courses will be developed by faculties using the approved course revision proposal template and endorsed by the: (15) The following revisions to existing award courses require strategic approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education: (16) The following revisions to existing award courses require academic approval by Academic Board (in addition to strategic approval if also listed in clause 15): (17) Faculty Boards approve proposals for: (18) The Pro Vice-Chancellor Researcher Development approves any changes to HDR courses not covered by clauses 15 or 16. (19) New or revised non-award courses, units or modules that may lead to admission to an award course require academic approval by the Academic Board. (20) New or revised non-award courses, units or modules offered without charge require strategic approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. (21) All other proposals for new or revised non-award courses, units or modules require approval by Faculty Boards. (22) Where a proposal for a new course or revision to an existing course involves an academic partnership relating to course delivery the academic partnership must be approved in accordance with the Academic Partnerships procedure. (23) A tiered approach to reviews is implemented to ensure the ongoing viability, quality and strategic alignment of courses offered by the University. This includes: (24) Course teams will develop a plan for each coursework program or group of related coursework programs that includes evidence of course performance and priorities for improvement. Course and unit reviews are conducted with reference to the course plan/s. (25) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education will provide an annual report to Academic Board summarising the outcomes of major and annual reviews and external professional accreditation of courses and actions arising from those reviews. (26) The quality of units in coursework programs or HDRs will be monitored through the administration of an approved student survey in accordance with the Evaluation of Teaching and Units procedure and other evidence of student engagement and achievement. (27) Schools and relevant course teams will review the outcomes of the student survey and evidence of unit performance each time a unit is offered and the Unit Chair will develop and implement a plan to address issues identified with reference to criteria stipulated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and faculty. Where negative outcomes are sustained, the unit may be discontinued or intakes into the unit may be suspended until issues are addressed to the satisfaction of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. (28) Faculties will conduct annual reviews of courses or groups of related courses in accordance with the approved course risk rating as follows: (29) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education will conduct an annual course portfolio review which will consider: (30) Faculties will conduct major reviews of each course and prepare reports in accordance with an approved template. These reviews will take place usually every six years and at least every seven years. The reviews will be informed by: (31) Faculty Boards establish panels to undertake major course reviews. The panels comprise: (32) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education in consultation with faculties will prepare annual schedules for major course reviews. The DVCE may grant a full or partial exemption from a major course review where a course has undergone a review by a professional accreditation body in the previous 12 months or in other exceptional circumstances. (33) Major course review reports will include proposals and timelines for changes to courses and other actions to improve course quality where issues have been identified. (34) All existing courses must be approved for continuation before the expiry of the previous approval period (normally six years). Faculties will develop applications for course continuation in accordance with an approved template. Applications will be accompanied by a major course review report developed in accordance with clauses 30-33. (35) Proposals for course continuation require endorsement by Faculty Boards and approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education on strategic grounds and by the Academic Board on academic grounds. (36) Interim course continuations may be granted in exceptional circumstances by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. (37) The Research and Research Training Committee will monitor the performance of HDRs and conduct periodic quality assurance reviews as appropriate. (38) The Research and Research Training Committee will review the research training activities of faculties and institutes annually in accordance with a process approved by Academic Board. (39) The Research and Research Training Committee will report annually to the Academic Board in relation to the performance of HDRs, the outcomes of quality assurance reviews and research training reviews. (40) Comprehensive reviews of HDRs will be conducted every five years. The reviews will be informed by: (41) Faculty Boards provide to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education annual reports on new or continuing courses that have undergone a review by a professional accreditation body in the previous 12 months. (42) During the period for which a course has been approved, faculties will: (43) The methodology adopted for external referencing of assessment will meet the following requirements: (44) Appropriate adjustments to the requirements specified in clause 43 may be made where student outputs are assessed in real time (e.g. performances). Other variations to the requirements specified may be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education (or nominee) on a case-by-case basis. Professional accreditation may satisfy the requirements of clause 43. (45) Proposals to suspend intake to or to permanently discontinue a course may arise from annual or major course reviews or other faculty or University reviews. Faculties will develop proposals for course discontinuation or suspension of intake in accordance with an approved template. The proposal will include a transition plan, endorsed by the Faculty Board, to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by any change. Discontinuation or suspension of intake proposals require endorsement by Faculty Executive Dean (and, in the case of HDRs, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Researcher Development) and approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. (46) Students affected by course discontinuations or revisions include those enrolled in the course, on intermission from the course, who have been offered a place in the course or who have deferred an offer of a place in the course. (47) Students affected by the revision of a course will be transferred to the revised version of the course at the earliest opportunity where practical. (48) Students affected by the discontinuation of a course will be provided with reasonable opportunities to complete the course, or to transfer to an equivalent or suitable alternative course. The period during which students must complete a discontinued course will be determined by the Faculty Board. This will be the time needed for enrolled part-time students to complete the course, up to twice the full-time equivalent duration of the course. (49) The faculty will contact students affected by the discontinuation or revision of a course to provide reasonable notice of the change and advise them of available options and the maximum period for completion (in the case of discontinued courses), taking into account the University's obligations under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act. Where these obligations are unclear, faculties should seek advice from the University's International Quality and Compliance Unit. Deakin International will contact international students who have not yet enrolled. (50) Individual study plans will be developed for students enrolled in a discontinued course or whose progress may be affected by a course revision. (51) When approval is granted for the discontinuation of a course or suspension of intake, no new offers will be issued for places in the course for enrolment periods from the date of approved suspension or discontinuation. The Faculty Executive Dean may make exceptions for students who are likely to incur significant costs as a result of the discontinuation or suspension of the course. (52) Students who transfer to an alternative course will be granted credit for units deemed equivalent that they have completed as part of the discontinued course, in accordance with relevant University policies and procedures. (53) Students who do not wish to continue at the University will be refunded fees they have paid for the discontinued or suspended course, except for any units they have attempted. (54) For the purpose of this Procedure:Higher Education Courses Approval and Review procedure
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Policy
Section 5 - Procedure
Course Approvals
Approvals
New award courses
New combined award courses from existing award courses
Award course revisions
Non-award courses
Partnerships
Course and unit reviews
Unit monitoring and review
Annual course reviews — coursework programs
Major course reviews — coursework programs
Major course review panels composition
Course continuations
Reviews of higher degrees by research
Reviews by professional accreditation bodies
External referencing of assessment — coursework programs
Course discontinuations and suspensions of intake
Responsibilities to students affected by coursework discontinuations or revisions
Section 6 - Definitions
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Reviews may result in the discontinuation, suspension or revision of courses or units.