The College is committed to innovation and quality in all aspects of college life. A crucial element of the College is its ability to respond to governmental requirements as well as the shifting societal, educational and vocational needs without abandoning the values of academic excellence and theological integrity.
This policy describes the requirements and principles governing changes to the College's accredited coursework courses.
This policy:
- Provides a framework to guide decisions regarding the College's courses;
- Sets clear responsibilities and accountabilities for management of academic courses.
This policy applies to all accredited Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training courses.
1 Management of Changes to Courses
1.1 Management of Changes to Higher Education Courses
Changes to accredited Higher Education courses may be categorised as requiring external approval, internal approval or minor changes.
Any change requiring external approval must have internal approval by the Academic Board before the regulator is requested to approve the change. These changes are:
- Changes to the course title that appears on the Testamur;
- Changes to the volume of learning or course duration;
- Changes to the AQF level;
- Changes to the course learning outcomes;
- Changes to minimum entry requirements;
- Changes to the overall course structure and rules;
- The introduction of a new tagged award outcome that appears on the Testamur; and/or
- Replacement of core units in a course.
Internal approval by the Academic Board must be requested for the following changes:
- If the introduction of a new major, minor or specialisation;
- If the course is to be delivered in partnership with a third party;
- Changes to the composition of majors or specialisations;
- Creation of new units;
- Introduction or deletion of elective units;
- Changes to the composition of a minor;
- Changes to articulation or pathway arrangements; and/or
- Changes to the following attributes of units:
- Title;
- Learning outcomes;
- Requisites;
- Content;
- Credit points or contact hours; and/or
- Location delivery; and
- Changes or additions to the mode or location of delivery of a course;
When making decisions on a proposal for a change to a course, the Academic Board will consider:
- The Coursework Courses Principles specified in the Course Development Policy;
- The need for and merit of the proposed change; and
- The requirement for or adequacy of a transition plan for any current students.
When making decisions on a proposal to deliver an existing course through a partnership with a third party, the Academic Board will refer to the Third Party Delivery Partnership Selection Management and Performance Monitoring Policy.
The Dean of Studies must be notified by the relevant school of the following changes:
- assessment strategies;
- changes to assessments in units in the course profile software (UGBOOT units) and how these units continue to meet the accreditation requirements of the accrediting agency that approved them;
- delivery cycle.
1.2 Management of Changes to Vocational Education and Training Courses
All changes to Vocational Education and Training Courses will be through a revised Training and Assessment Strategy approved by the Director of VET.
2. Transitional Arrangements
2.1 Transitional Arrangements for Higher Education Coursework Courses
Students who are enrolled in an accredited course that is rationalised or modified shall be permitted to either:
- Complete the course substantially as previously accredited provided that they do so within twice the normal time they would take to complete the standard course on a full time basis from the time of enrolment; or
- Transition into a mutually agreed alternative course at no disadvantage to the student.
Some changes may require the development of an articulation agreement for current students.
In special circumstances, a core unit in a student’s (or group of students) enrolled course may be replaced by the College providing that the replacement unit contributes to the course learning outcomes in an equivalent manner. A special arrangement will be documented for each proposed variation to course.
Circumstances where a special arrangement regarding a course of study may be approved include:
- Where a student has only one unit to complete their course and the unit is not available in the next compulsory teaching period for the enrolled course.
- A core unit is unable to be offered by the College due to unforeseen circumstances.
2.2 Transition of Changes to Vocational Education and Training Courses
Changes to Vocational Education and Training Courses shall be managed according to the details of the accredited course or the training package and according to the guidelines in Standards for RTOs 2015 to 'Manage transition from superseded training products' Clauses 1.26 to 1.27.