Program approvals for TAFE and HE coursework programs procedure

Procedure

Intent and objectives

To provide a systematic approvals process for all TAFE and HE coursework programs onshore and offshore that attests to the quality, relevance and viability of the educational design and implementation of RMIT coursework programs.

Scope

All RMIT TAFE and HE award coursework programs, onshore, offshore and all modes of delivery, whether offered directly by RMIT or in partnership with other providers. Includes assessment only pathways in TAFE.

Exclusions

Program modifications that need to be made to accommodate RMIT’s obligations to recognise qualifications and statements of attainment issued by another RTO.

Procedures steps and actions

1. Higher education coursework programs – onshore and RMIT Vietnam

Procedure

Responsibility

For

  • New programs (including adding a new stream to an existing program, a dual award or double degree) – program proposal and program guide required
  • Proposals to deliver programs through Open Universities Australia (OUA) – program proposal and program guide required
  • Changes to program duration – rationale summary and program guide required. (Note: program proposal may also be required)
  • Changes to program titles – program guide and rationale summary required
  • All other program amendments – program guide approval by Portfolio Board is required (see 2.1 below)

1.1 Program Proposal

.

1.1.1 A Program Proposal is submitted to the relevant Portfolio Executive for endorsement.

Head of School

1.1.2 Endorsed Program Proposal is submitted to the VCE for approval

PVC(Academic)

1.2 Program Guide

.

1.2.1 A Program Guide, Course Guides Part A: Course Overview and all relevant Academic Registrar’s Group forms are completed and submitted to the relevant Portfolio Board for endorsement.

Head of School

1.2.2 Portfolio Board considers Program Guide and Course Guides Part A: Course Overview for endorsement

Portfolio Board

1.2.3 The endorsed Program Guide and all relevant Academic Registrar’s Group forms are forwarded to the Academic Board for recommendation to Council.

Portfolio Board Secretary

1.2.4 All relevant documentation is forwarded to Council for approval and to the Academic Registrar’s Group

Secretary to the Academic Board

1.2.5 Course Guides Part B: Course Details are completed

Program leader

2. Higher education coursework programs – onshore and RMIT Vietnam

Procedure

Responsibility

For

  • Program Amendments

.

2.1 Program Guide

.

2.1.1 A Program Guide, Course Guides Part A: Course Overview (where applicable) and all relevant Academic Registrar’s Group forms and a summary outlining the rationale for the program amendments are completed and submitted to the relevant Portfolio Board for approval

Head of School

2.1.2 Relevant documentation forwarded to Academic Registrar’s Group

Where program amendments result in a significant shift in demand, or shift in resource or geographical location or new mode of study, then the Program Proposal must first be approved by VCE (see 1.1)

Portfolio Board Secretary

3. Coursework programs – offshore

Procedure

Responsibility

For

  • Award programs already approved by Council

.

3.1 Expression of Interest

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3.1.1 An Expression of Interest must have been developed and submitted to the PVC(Academic) for support

Head of School
PVC(Academic)

3.1.2 The supported Expression of Interest is forwarded to the PVC (ID) for consideration and approval prior to development of an International Implementation Plan.

PVC(Academic)
PVC(ID)

3.2 International Implementation Plan

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3.2.1 An International Implementation Plan is prepared to address quality, strategic and legal issues. This document incorporates the Annexure to the legal agreement with the partner institution.

Head of School

3.2.2 The completed International Implementation Plan is sent to the relevant PVC(Academic Portfolio) for endorsement.

Head of School
PVC(Academic Portfolio)

3.2.3 The endorsed International Implementation Plan is sent to the VCE for approval before entering into an agreement with the offshore institutional partner.

Office of the PVC(Academic Portfolio)

3.2.4 A copy of the signed International Implementation Plan is forwarded to the School to be submitted, with the Program Guide, for academic approval.

VCE

3.3 The Program Guide for HE Programs

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3.3.1 The Program Guide is modified to reflect the offshore offering and sent by the Head of School to Portfolio Board for endorsement.

Program leader
Head of School
Portfolio Board
Secretary to the Portfolio Board

3.3.2 The updated Program Guide, International Implementation Plan and associated documentation are forwarded by the Portfolio Board to the Academic Board for approval.

3.3.3 The approved Program Guide, International Implementation Plan and associated documentation are forwarded to the Academic Registrar’s Group for PeopleSoft records to be amended.

Secretary to the Academic Board
ARG

3.4 Part B Course Guides for HE Programs

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3.4.1 For HE programs, Course Guides, Part B: Course Details, which are based on the Part A Course Guides and provide information relevant to students at a particular location, is developed

Program leader

4. New or amended nationally accredited TAFE programs

The program is developed in accordance with the requirements of AQTF Standard 1, Training Package Qualification Rules and Skills Victoria Implementation Guide.

5.1 Program approval documentation if program is on profile

Procedure

Responsibility

5.1.1 The HOS or Portfolio nominee confirms with the Associate Director TAFE that:

  • The program is on Profile
  • The relevant approval process to be followed i.e.: whether the change:
  • Requires an enterprise training plan
  • Requires an amendment to an existing program
  • Is a result of the review of a training package or re-accreditation of a curriculum based program which warrants a new implementation plan
  • Requires an extension of scope
  • Is of such a minor nature (example national code change without change to the competencies) that it only requires ARG to amend program details

Note: Approval of addition of competencies to an approved program can be delegated to Heads of School by the Portfolio

Head of School or Portfolio nominee
Associate Director TAFE

5.1.2 If a new implementation plan is required, the TAFE program approval proforma is completed. The TAFE program approval proforma is in two parts so the option exists for it to be completed in two stages if the program is not on profile or requires Portfolio approval for the development.

Head of School or Portfolio nominee

5.1.3 The completed TAFE program approval proforma is submitted to the Associate Director TAFE for approval

Head of School or Portfolio Nominee

5.1.4 The completed TAFE program approval proforma is checked against the TAFE Checklist for Approval.

Associate Director, TAFE

5.1.5 The completed TAFE program approval proforma is considered for approval

Associate Directors TAFE delegated through Portfolio Boards

5.1.6 If approved, the program documentation is forwarded to the Academic Registrar’s Group

Associate Director TAFE

5.1.7 The documentation is checked against the Checklist item and returned to the relevant School if errors are detected.

ARG

5.1.8 Copies of the completed TAFE program approval proforma are sent to the relevant Portfolio Board & Academic Board and Board of Technical Studies for noting

ARG

6. Quality assurance of approved programs

Procedure

Responsibility

6.1 Annual sampling of approved programs and associated documentation will be undertaken to review quality assurance

Quality Consultancy Unit

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