curriculum standards framework committee · curriculum standards framework committee . minutes of...

CURRICULUM STANDARDS FRAMEWORK COMMITTEE

Meeting: Wednesday, 16 April 2014 12 noon – 1.00 pm E4A 323

A G E N D A

1. Welcome/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations (for noting)

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Matters Arising (for approval)

- 3.1 Minutes of meeting held on 24 March 2014

4. Membership of CSFC (verbal update from the Chair)

5. AQF Transition Issues (for discussion) - 5.1 Draft AQF Transition Issues Paper

6. Draft Stage 2 Guidance Document for the 2015 Curriculum Renewal (for discussion)

- Feedback from 8 April workshop - Exemplars and Mapping

7. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (verbal update from the Chair) - Feedback from working group - Departmental RPL Plans - Undergraduate entry issues

8. Formation of Working Groups (for discussion)

- Ratification of Results - Transition of Unit Approvals to Faculties

9. Any other business

10. Next Meeting - 1pm – 2pm, Wednesday, 30 April 2014, W6B 357

FUTURE ISSUES/PROJECTS FOR NOTING CURRICULUM QUALITY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK 1. Ratification of Results – Semester 1, 2014

2. Academic Handbook

3. Articulation Agreements with Third Parties

4. Constitution of Departmental Meetings

5. Co-Teaching

6. Deeming and Saving

7. Generic Unit Level Descriptors

8. Online Learning

9. Peer Review of Assessment and Teaching Practice

10. Program and Unit Review Cycles

11. Standards for and Reporting of Professional Accreditation Processes

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CURRICULUM STANDARDS FRAMEWORK COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24 March 2014 in W6B 357 at 10.00 am. PRESENT: Professor Dominic Verity (Chair) Dr Trudy Ambler Associate Professor Helen Carter Associate Professor Pamela Coutts Ms Jayne Freeman Associate Professor Michael Hitchens Ms Barb McLean Professor Anne Ross-Smith Associate Professor Ian Solomonides Dr Theresa Winchester-Seeto (on behalf of Professor Robyn Dowling) Professor Sherman Young APOLOGIES: Professor Robyn Dowling IN ATTENDANCE: Ms Bonnie Liu

1. Welcome/Apologies The Chair welcomed Associate Professor Helen Carter and Dr Theresa Winchester-Seeto from the Learning and Teaching Centre. Dr Winchester-Seeto attended on behalf of Professor Robyn Dowling.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Matters Arising The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The Committee noted that Professor Ross-Smith and Associate Professor Solomonides will be following up recommendations of a Student Representative as an Appointed Member on the Committee. The Chair also advised that he will be following up recommendations for elected or co-opted members of Academic Senate as Appointed Members on the Committee.

3. Membership of CSFC

The Committee noted that Associate Professor Helen Carter and Professor Robyn Dowling had been appointed as members from the Learning and Teaching Centre.

4. Framework for 2015 Curriculum Renewal - Stage Two • Noted - Attached: Draft Stage Two Guidance Document

Samples – Program Learning Outcomes mapped to Units

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16 April 2014 Item 3

Draft Stage Two Guidance Document The Committee noted the purpose of Stage One of the 2015 Curriculum Renewal Project was to collect basic information and structures of programs. As Stage One comes to an end it was acknowledged that there is an urgent need to provide guidance for Stage Two. The source of the current Draft Stage Two Guidance Document was the Program Specification Template Guidance originally developed by the Learning and Teaching Centre. It was timely that the Draft Stage Two Guidance Document be reviewed in light of feedback from Stage One, and in particular the variance in the type and style of information submitted by faculties which subsequently had to be standardised. The Committee agreed that the Draft Stage Two Guidance Document will have a clear purpose in specifying:

a. What is the purpose of the information required and what level of detail b. Whether the information is to be used/displayed publically or for marketing purposes –

these are not the same purpose c. How to go about it/what format to use in providing the information

with a view to providing examples and/or exemplars for all the Stage Two fields. The Chair reiterated the intention of having a Program Specifications Document for each program which draws upon information submitted through Webforms in Stages One and Two, as articulated in the Academic Senate Program Structure Statement: Postgraduate Coursework Programs, which states:

All programs will have an Academic Senate approved Program Specification Document, which will act as the source of truth for the conduct and content of that program. This document will conform to standards and templates established by the Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC) and will be made public on the University website.

Information submitted in Webforms should be written in a way that is relevant and appropriate for prospective and current students. The purpose of the Program Specifications Document is to specify the curriculum to be taught and be the source of truth regarding what the students will be asked to do in their degrees. The focus is of the provision of academic advice support rather than the marketing of programs. The Committee noted there are a number of existing exemplars in Webforms that have populated Stage Two fields, eg, assessment, forms of learning and teaching, support.

ACTION 1 – The Chair, Associate Professor Solomonides and Dr Winchester-Seeto will meet after 3 April 2014 to review and revise the Draft Stage Two Guidance Document, and develop exemplars in conjunction with the relevant Departments.

Mapping of Program Learning Outcomes to Units A key component of Stage Two is the task of mapping Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) to units. Within the timeframe for completion of Stage Two in September the Committee agreed the mapping at this stage will be to the level of assessment tasks. It was recognised that the mapping exercise is an iterative task – beyond the Stage Two timeframe, consideration is to be given to the mapping of PLOs to the level of unit learning outcomes and assessment outcomes.

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In the future it is planned that this more detailed level of mapping will be supported by the UNITS system. However, at this point the development trajectory of that system is still uncertain.

ACTION 2 – The Chair, Associate Professor Solomonides and Dr Winchester-Seeto will meet after 3 April 2014 to review curriculum mapping samples from Webforms and develop templates accordingly, with a view to running a workshop in mid- to late-April to “road-test” the approach developed. Associate Deans are encouraged to nominate individuals with experience in curriculum mapping to take part in this workshop.

5. Framework for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) • Noted - Attached: Draft RPL Framework

The Committee agreed that a template on departmental RPL plans would need to be developed. The Chair will liaise with PICT, MGSM and AFC, areas identified as possessing relevant expertise in contributing to the development of this template.

6. Framework for AQF Transition • Noted - Attached: Draft AQF Transition Issues Paper

7. Framework for Ratification of Results by Faculties To be discussed.

8. Framework for Transition of Unit Approvals to Faculties • Noted - Attached: Draft Quality Assurance Framework: Faculty Unit Proposals

and Approvals Draft Faculty Guidelines: Unit Proposals and Approvals

9. Any other business

Nil. 10. Next Meeting

• 12noon – 1pm, Wednesday, 16 April 2014, E4A 323

The meeting closed at 11:00am.

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FOR NOTING – FUTURE ISSUES/PROJECTS FOR CSFC 1. Academic Handbooks

2. Articulation Agreements with Third Parties

3. Constitution of Departmental Meetings

4. Co-Teaching

5. Guidance for Deeming and Saving Cases

6. Development of Generic Unit Level Descriptors

7. Online Learning Quality Framework

8. Peer Review of Assessment and Teaching Practice

9. Program and Unit Review Cycles

10. Standards for and Reporting of Professional Accreditation Processes

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Curriculum Standards Framework Committee Agenda


ITEM 5: AQF TRANSITION ISSUES

(FOR DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION) BACKGROUND All requirements of the AQF are to be met from 1 January 2015, and from this date, all new enrolments will be in qualifications that meet the requirements of the AQF. The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 applies to the accreditation of all new awards and the reaccreditation of all current higher education awards, and requires self-accrediting institutions such as Macquarie University to demonstrate that:

1. Higher education awards delivered meet the appropriate criteria (including the levels criteria and qualification type descriptors) described in the AQF;

2. Certificate documentation issued is accurate and protects against fraudulent use; and 3. Articulation, recognition of prior learning and credit arrangements meet the appropriate

criteria. AQF and Non-AQF Awards A ‘higher education award’ is defined in Section 5 of the TEQSA Act as:

• A diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or doctoral degree; or

• A qualification covered by level 5 – 10 of the AQF; or • An award of a similar kind or represented as being of a similar kind, to any of the above

awards; other than an award offered or conferred for the completion of a vocational education and training course. Examples of non-AQF awards include courses which do not meet the requirements of the AQF, as well as ELICOS and foundation studies programs. TEQSA will develop its processes for non-AQF awards during 2014. Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) The University is currently reviewing its program profile (Awards, Majors and Specialisations) against the AQF. The following areas have been identified as areas for review:

• Program and award titles, for example the title Postgraduate Diploma of xxx is not compliant and requires a change to Graduate Diploma;

• Program duration (volume of learning) and admission criteria; • Program level, for example the requirement to change a qualification from Bachelor Degree

(Level 7) to Bachelor Honours Degree (Level 8); • Program requirements and structure, for example inclusion of research in Masters

(coursework), Masters (extended) and in honours in four or more year bachelor degrees; • Program learning outcomes, for example mapping AQF learning outcomes and threshold

learning outcomes (generic, professional or discipline specific) to programs; • Including a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of

scholarship/professionally focused project in the Masters Degrees (Coursework/Extended).

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The work of Curriculum Review and Implementation Team (CRIT II) has been motivated by a number of core aspirations including the alignment of all programs, both undergraduate and postgraduate, with the AQF requirements as well as the approved changes to undergraduate and postgraduate programs:

• Undergraduate – 3 credit points units = 150 hours per unit; • Postgraduate – 4 credit points units = 150 hours per unit (previously 180 hours).

Curriculum Renewal and Webforms Using the online submission and approval system (Webforms) and the various reference documents provided by Academic Senate (including the AQF) Faculties are working to align their programs for 2015 as follows:

• All current Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs (undergraduate programs) to be retired, with no new admissions from Session 2, 2014

• Postgraduate Certificate to be renamed Graduate Certificate (16 cp) • Postgraduate Diploma to be renamed Graduate Diploma (32 cp) • Masters Degree – all level 9 Masters by Coursework (64 cp):

o 2 years following a L 7 qualification in a non-cognate discipline o 1.5 years following a L 7 qualification in a cognate discipline (48 cp) o 1.5 years following a L 8 grad cert in a cognate discipline (48 cp) o 1.5 years following a L 8 grad dip or honours degree in a non-cognate discipline (or

equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience under RPL) (48 cp) o 1 year following a L 8 grad dip or honours degree in a cognate discipline (32 cp).

Changes to Qualification Type and Qualification Title When a program requires a new program and award title, the new program and award title applies only to students admitted subsequent to the changes being approved by the University. Students enrolled in a program with a non-AQF program and award title shall be advised of the status of their current program and award title, with the option to either:

• Complete the program and the award with the title and abbreviation in which they originally enrolled; or

• Transfer to a replacement program with a qualification type and qualification title which is consistent with the AQF.

Program Duration Changes When a program changes its volume of learning by extending or shortening its duration, the new duration applies only to students admitted subsequent to the change being approved by the University. Students enrolled in a program with a non-AQF program duration shall be advised of the status of their current program with the option to either:

• Complete the program with the volume of learning and duration in which they originally enrolled; or

• Transfer to a replacement program with a volume of learning and duration which is consistent with the AQF,

recognising that a replacement program with a longer duration results in additional student fees and costs.

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Honours Under the AQF no qualification type other than the Bachelor Honours Degree which meets the AQF Level 8 specification may use the term ‘honours’. Under the AQF the volume of learning of a Bachelor Honours Degree is typically one year following a Bachelor Degree. Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act Section 19 of the ESOS Act is reproduced as follows:

(1) A registered provider must give the Secretary the following information within 14 days after the event specified below occurs:

a. The name, and any other prescribed details of each person who becomes an accepted student of that provider;

b. For each person who becomes an accepted student – the name, starting day and expected duration of the course for which the student is accepted;

c. The prescribed information about an accepted student who does not begin his or her course when expected;

d. Any termination of an accepted student’s studies (whether as a result of action by the student or the provider or otherwise) before the student’s course is completed;

e. Any change in the identity or duration of an accepted student’s course; f. Any other prescribed matter relating to accepted students.

An ‘accepted student’ means a student (whether within or outside Australia):

• Who is accepted for enrolment, or enrolled in, a course provided by the provider; and • Who is, or will be required to hold a student visa to undertake the course.

‘Enrolment’ – Where a student has been issued with a CoE to confirm acceptance by the registered provider and is occupying a place in the CRICOS registered course for which the student was accepted and is progressing towards the completion requirements. Cancellation of CoEs with a status of ‘Approved’, ‘Visa Granted’ or ‘Studying’ will trigger application of this section of the ESOS Act. Post-Study Work Visa Changes under the AQF in the volume of learning (duration) of a program of study will change students’ eligibility to apply for Temporary Graduate visa (class 485). This visa permits graduates to live, study and work in Australia after they have finished their studies. In the six months before a student applies, they must meet the Australian study requirement, ie have completed one or more degrees or diplomas for award by an Australian educational institution as a result of a course(s):

• That is registered on CRICOS; • For which all instruction was conducted in English; • That was completed as a result of a total of at least two academic years (92 weeks) study; • That was completed in a total of at least 16 calendar months; • That has been undertaken while the student was in Australia as the holder of a visa

authorising them to study. Under the National Code Part D Standard 1, 1.2, the registered provider must:

(a) Clearly identify the registered provider’s name and CRICOS number in written marketing and other material for students, including electronic form

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(b) Not give false or misleading information or advice in relation to: i. Claims of association between providers

ii. The employment outcomes associated with a course iii. Automatic acceptance into another course iv. Possible migration outcomes, or v. Any other claims relating to the registered provider, its course or outcomes

associated with the course. ISSUES See below. RECOMMENDATIONS See below.

Submitted by Professor Dominic Verity Chair, Academic Senate [email protected] + 61 2 9850 9522 For enquiries contact Ms Jayne Freeman Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager, Governance Services [email protected] + 61 2 9850 1126

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mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

NO ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS 1 New programs for 2015 which will be consistent with

the AQF will be submitted via Webforms and approved by the relevant MQ authority during 2014.

a. That all students commencing their studies in 2015 shall be enrolled in AQF programs. b. That new programs shall be allocated new MQ course codes and added to CRICOS if

required.

2 Revised programs for 2015which will be consistent with the AQF will be submitted via Webforms and approved by the relevant MQ authority during 2014. Revisions may include changes in duration, content, qualification type and/or qualification title. Some of these revised Awards will replace a non-AQF Award with an AQF Award.

a. That renewed/revised programs shall be reviewed by the Governance Services team to determine: o Whether they should be allocated a new MQ course code, and o Whether the existing details on CRICOS will be updated or a new CRICOS code

sought from TEQSA.

b. That the Governance Services team will consult with key internal stakeholders to determine whether or not a new CRICOS code is required for revised Awards.

3 Existing students may already be enrolled in a non-

AQF program (either by award title or duration). a. That students shall be advised of the status of their current program and award title

with the option to either: o Complete the program and the award with the title and duration in which they

originally enrolled; or o Transfer from a non-AQF program to an AQF program.

4 Students may currently be enrolled in a non-AQF

program and may subsequently discontinue their enrolment and seek readmission at a later date.

a. That students seeking to re-enrol shall be readmitted to the new program and award title. On readmission the student’s requirement term will be reset to the requirement term for the current program. In such a circumstance the new program may have additional requirements that the student needs to complete to be awarded the qualification.

b. That all marketing and promotional material shall reflect these requirements.

5 Students may choose to maintain their enrolment and complete the non-AQF program.

a. That students shall be advised they will graduate with the old award and award title.

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6 International students are receiving and accepting offers into non-AQF programs during 2014 for studies commencing in 2015. (SEE FLOWCHART ATTACHED)

a. That the University will honour all offers if potential students wish to take them up – it should be noted that this could mean students would enrol into non-AQF courses in 2015. Otherwise the University has the option to retract and reissue offers for AQF programs once those programs have been registered on CRICOS.

b. That the University will manage reporting obligations under s 19(1) of the ESOS Act,

citing AQF compliance. c. That the University shall keep students advised about this process, and notify students

of their obligations. d. That offers to international students for non-AQF programs shall not be made beyond a

date to be agreed (perhaps 30 June 2014 if this is reasonable?)

7 New courses cannot be offered to international students until a CRICOS code has been approved by TEQSA, and courses cannot be registered on CRICOS until an estimated course fee is available from the internal fee setting process at MQ.

a. That this is flagged as a matter of urgency for the Office of Financial Services and the Fee Setting Committee to bring forward as early into 2014 as possible, bearing in mind that TEQSA will take 4 – 6 weeks to approve a course once the application has been lodged.

8 Students who are admitted or transferred to a new program will graduate with the new award title.

b. That students shall graduate with the new award title which is consistent with AQF requirements.

9 The wording on the AHEGS will need to reflect whether or not the award is for an AQF program.

a. That the AHEGS for graduates from AQF awards (from 2015) shall include the AQF level for all awards in Section 2, for example: under the heading ‘Qualification Level: The Bachelor of Chiropractic Science is located at Level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.’ OR ‘This qualification is accredited as a Level 7 Bachelor Degree under the Australian Qualifications Framework’.

b. That the AHEGS for graduates from non-AQF awards (from 2015) will not have an AQF level in Section 2 of the AHEGS. A notation ‘This qualification was accredited prior to the establishment of the Australian Qualifications Framework (2011)’ is to be included against the AQF level in Section 2 of the AHEGS.

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10 The wording on the Testamur and Record of Results (Transcript) may not be consistent with the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy.

a. That the wording on the Testamur and Record of Results (Transcript) shall be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the AQF Issuance Policy.

11 Teach out arrangements will need to be in place and visible for those students who elect to remain in a non-AQF program.

a. That the University, in conjunction with the Faculties, shall establish a timeframe for teaching out the existing program (minimum of 1, maximum of 5 years) as a general guide the length of the program plus one year. The teach out arrangements shall be approved by the relevant MQ authority.

b. That students remaining in a non-AQF program shall be advised of the maximum time in which they are to complete the program and, given the approved program teach out arrangements, this may vary from the University Rules, Policies or Regulations.

12 Staff and students will need to be aware of transition

arrangements. a. That all marketing and course information will reflect key information associated with

the transition so that staff can provide correct advice and students can make informed decisions.

13 Students may seek RPL for admission or credit transfer

for courses completed in non-AQF programs towards an AQF program.

a. That departments shall develop detailed RPL Plans which align with the 2015 RPL Policy for admission and course transfer.

b. That clear and transparent information is provided for students by the start of Semester

2, 2014 which allows them to make an informed enrolment decisions which will not disadvantage them prior to the introduction of a broader RPL Policy in 2015.

14 Students and staff will need to have visibility of the program level learning outcomes.

a. That approved program learning outcomes shall be published on the relevant MQ websites as advice to staff, future and current students about the essential requirements (knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills) of the program.

15 All non-AQF programs will be withdrawn and some will be replaced with new or revised AQF programs.

a. That the marketing of non-AQF programs for student admission in 2014 shall include clear statements that a final commencing intake is to be recruited and admitted.

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b. That students offered a place in the final commencing intake of a non-AQF program are to be advised that no deferral of enrolment or commencement is possible, the provisions in relation to studying the program full time or part time or discontinuing their enrolment and the maximum time in which they are to complete the program requirements.

c. That a student who maintains their enrolment in a non-AQF program shall have the

opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame. These arrangements are to be specified in the student’s letter of offer.

d. That for non-AQF programs, all course information (Coursefinder, Handbook, etc) shall state that the program is not available for either a domestic or an international student intake from 2015.

e. That replacement or new AQF program shall not be marketed or offered to international students until CRICOS registration is approved. Until CRICOS registration is complete, all websites and marketing material should indicate that CRICOS registration is being sought for the course.

16 There may be changes required to Course Rules as a

result of the alignment of courses with the AQF. a. That the AQF and Glossary shall be reviewed against the University Course Rules,

Policies and Glossary to ensure alignment with the AQF for: o Definitions of terms (eg Nested) o Teach out arrangements o Qualifications Issuance (Testamur and Record of Results).

17 There may be changes required to Nesting

arrangements as a result of alignment with the AQF. a. That nested arrangements shall be reviewed to ensure they comply with AQF

requirements eg by definition and also to ensure the detailed FoE is the same for nested courses.

18 There may be changes required to articulation

arrangements with other providers. a. That articulation arrangements with other national and international providers shall be

reviewed for currency and relevance, with recommendations made for these arrangements to be renewed, varied or cancelled.

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19 The Schedule of Articulated Postgraduate Award Sets may no longer be relevant as it may become redundant under the RPL Policy.

a. That the Governance Services unit shall conduct a review of the RPL Policy and recommend action for 2015 with respect to the continuance or discontinuance of the Schedule of Articulated Postgraduate Award Sets.

20 A change in program may affect the eligibility of

international students for a post-study work visa.

a. That the University shall provide information to international students with respect to the requirements for post-study work visas, but should be cautious not to provide ‘advice’ in relation to possible migration outcomes which would contravene the National Code, and be mindful that these requirements are subject to constant change.

b.

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Offer made by MI

Is the program approved for deletion?

Is there a replacement program?

Yes

Program is Renewed

Student can accept

original offer into AQF program

No

No

*Retract Offer, Full

Refund

No

Review replacement program (admission requirements,

availability of units)Analyse options and

communicate with student

Yes

Will student take up replacement program?

No

Yes


Refund and Reissue

Review new program (admission requirements,

availability of units)Analyse options and

communicate with student

YesWill student take up new

program?


Refund and Reissue

YesWill we honour the

original offer?

Student can accept original offer against the non-AQF

program


Refund

Will the renewed program need new MQ and CRICOS codes?

Will the replacement program need new MQ and CRICOS

codes?Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Curriculum Renewal 2015 – International Offers

*See the following excerpt from section 19 of the ESOS Act:(1) A registered provider must give the Secretary the following information within 14 days after the event specified below occurs:

d. Any termination of an accepted student’s studies (whether as a result of action by the student or the provider or otherwise) before the student’s course is completed;e. Any change in the identity or duration of an accepted student’s course.

An ‘accepted student’ means a student (whether within or outside Australia):Who is accepted for enrolment, or enrolled in, a course provided by the provider; andWho is, or will be required to hold a student visa to undertake the course.

‘Enrolment’ – Where the student has been issued with a CoE to confirm acceptance by the registered provider and is occupying a place in the CRICOS registered course for which the student was accepted and is progressing towards the completion requirements.

Cancellation of CoEs with a status of ‘Approved’, ‘Visa Granted’ or ‘Studying’ will trigger application of this section of the ESOS Act.

CSFC Agenda


No Issues Recommendations Risk Type Relevance/

Legislation Risk Rating

1 New programs for 2015 which will be consistent with the AQF will be submitted via Webforms and approved by the relevant MQ authority during 2014.

a. That all students commencing their studies in 2015 shall be enrolled in AQF programs.

Internal Process

AQF CRICOS CRICOS Re-Registration

Low

b. That new programs shall be allocated new MQ course codes and added to CRICOS if required.

2 Revised programs for 2015 which will be

consistent with the AQF will be submitted via Webforms and approved by the relevant MQ authority during 2014. Revisions may include changes in duration, content, qualification type and/or qualification title. Some of these revised Awards will replace a non-AQF Award with an AQF Award.

a. That renewed/revised programs shall be reviewed by the Governance Services team to determine: o Whether they should be allocated a new MQ

course code, and o Whether the existing details on CRICOS will be

updated or a new CRICOS code sought from TEQSA.

Internal Process

CRICOS CRICOS Re-registration

Medium

b. That the Governance Services team will consult with key internal stakeholders to determine whether or not a new CRICOS code is required for revised Awards.

CRICOS CRICOS Re-registration

Medium

3 Existing students may already be enrolled in a non-AQF program (either by award title or duration).

a. That students shall be advised of the status of their current program and award title with the option to either: o Complete the program and the award with the title

and duration in which they originally enrolled; or o Transfer from a non-AQF program to an AQF

program.

Regulatory AQF AHEGS ESOS Act

Medium

4 Students may currently be enrolled in a non-AQF program and may subsequently discontinue their enrolment and seek readmission at a later date.

a. That students seeking to re-enrol shall be readmitted to the new program and award title. On readmission the student’s requirement term will be reset to the requirement term for the current program. In such a circumstance the new program may have additional requirements that the student needs to complete to be

Internal Process

ESOS Act Low

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16 April 2014 TABLED

awarded the qualification.

b. That all marketing and promotional material shall reflect these requirements.

Internal Process Reputational

Low

5 Students may choose to maintain their enrolment and complete the non-AQF program.

That students shall be advised they will graduate with the old award and award title.

Regulatory Reputational

AQF AHEGS

Medium

6 International students are receiving and accepting offers into non-AQF programs during 2014 for studies commencing in 2015. (SEE FLOWCHART ATTACHED)

a. That the University will honour all offers if potential students wish to take them up – it should be noted that this could mean students would enrol into non-AQF courses in 2015. Otherwise the University has the option to retract and reissue offers for AQF programs once those programs have been registered on CRICOS.

Regulatory Reputational Financial

AQF ESOS Act AHEGS

Extreme

b. That the University will manage reporting obligations under s 19(1) of the ESOS Act, citing AQF compliance.


ESOS Act Extreme

c. That the University shall keep students advised about this process, and notify students of their obligations.

Regulatory Reputational

ESOS Act Extreme

d. That offers to international students for non-AQF programs shall not be made beyond a date to be agreed (perhaps 30 June 2014 if this is reasonable?)

Regulatory Reputational Internal Process

ESOS Act Extreme

7 New courses cannot be offered to international students until a CRICOS code has been approved by TEQSA, and courses cannot be registered on CRICOS until an estimated course fee is available from the internal fee setting process at MQ.

a. That this is flagged as a matter of urgency for the Office of Financial Services and the Fee Setting Committee to bring forward as early into 2014 as possible, bearing in mind that TEQSA will take 4 – 6 weeks to approve a course once the application has been lodged.

Internal Process Financial

ESOS Act CRICOS

High

8 Students who are admitted or transferred to a new program will graduate with the

b. That students shall graduate with the new award title which is consistent with AQF requirements.

Internal Process

AQF ESOS Act

Low

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new award title.

9 The wording on the AHEGS will need to reflect whether or not the award is for an AQF program.

a. That the AHEGS for graduates from AQF awards (from 2015) shall include the AQF level for all awards in Section 2, for example: under the heading ‘Qualification Level: The Bachelor of Chiropractic Science is located at Level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.’ OR ‘This qualification is accredited as a Level 7 Bachelor Degree under the Australian Qualifications Framework’.

Internal Process Regulatory Reputational

AHEGS AQF ESOS Act

Very High

b. That the AHEGS for graduates from non-AQF awards (from 2015) will not have an AQF level in Section 2 of the AHEGS. A notation ‘This qualification was accredited prior to the establishment of the Australian Qualifications Framework (2011)’ is to be included against the AQF level in Section 2 of the AHEGS.


AHEGS AQF ESOS Act

Very High

10 The wording on the Testamur and Record of Results (Transcript) may not be consistent with the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy.

a. That the wording on the Testamur and Record of Results (Transcript) shall be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the AQF Issuance Policy.


AHEGS AQF ESOS Act

Very High

11 Teach out arrangements will need to be in place and visible for those students who elect to remain in a non-AQF program.

a. That the University, in conjunction with the Faculties, shall establish a timeframe for teaching out the existing program (minimum of 1, maximum of 5 years) as a general guide the length of the program plus one year. The teach out arrangements shall be approved by the relevant MQ authority.

Internal Process

ESOS Act Low

b. That students remaining in a non-AQF program shall be advised of the maximum time in which they are to complete the program and, given the approved program teach out arrangements, this may vary from

Internal Process

ESOS Act Low

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the University Rules, Policies or Regulations.

12 Staff and students will need to be aware of transition arrangements.

a. That all marketing and course information will reflect key information associated with the transition so that staff can provide correct advice and students can make informed decisions.

Internal Process Reputational

Low

13 Students may seek RPL for admission or credit transfer for courses completed in non-AQF programs towards an AQF program.

a. That departments shall develop detailed RPL Plans which align with the 2015 RPL Policy for admission and course transfer.


AHEGS AQF ESOS Act

Extreme

b. That clear and transparent information is provided for students by the start of Semester 2, 2014 which allows them to make an informed enrolment decisions which will not disadvantage them prior to the introduction of a broader RPL Policy in 2015.


AHEGS AQF ESOS Act

Extreme

14 Students and staff will need to have visibility of the program level learning outcomes.

a. That approved program learning outcomes shall be published on the relevant MQ websites as advice to staff, future and current students about the essential requirements (knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills) of the program.

Internal Process Regulatory

AQF Low

15 All non-AQF programs will be withdrawn and some will be replaced with new or revised AQF programs.

a. That the marketing of non-AQF programs for student admission in 2014 shall include clear statements that a final commencing intake is to be recruited and admitted.

Internal Process

Low

b. That students offered a place in the final commencing intake of a non-AQF program are to be advised that no deferral of enrolment or commencement is possible, the provisions in relation to studying the program full time or part time or discontinuing their enrolment and

Internal Process

Low

4

CSFC Agenda


the maximum time in which they are to complete the program requirements.

c. That a student who maintains their enrolment in a non-

AQF program shall have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame. These arrangements are to be specified in the student’s letter of offer.

Internal Process

Low

d. That for non-AQF programs, all course information (Coursefinder, Handbook, etc) shall state that the program is not available for either a domestic or an international student intake from 2015.

Internal Process

Low

e. That replacement or new AQF program shall not be marketed or offered to international students until CRICOS registration is approved. Until CRICOS registration is complete, all websites and marketing material should indicate that CRICOS registration is being sought for the course.

Internal Process

ESOS Act Medium

16 There may be changes required to Course Rules as a result of the alignment of courses with the AQF.

a. That the AQF and Glossary shall be reviewed against the University Course Rules, Policies and Glossary to ensure alignment with the AQF for: o Definitions of terms (eg Nested) o Teach out arrangements o Qualifications Issuance (Testamur and Record of

Results).


AQF ESOS Act

Medium

17 There may be changes required to Nesting arrangements as a result of alignment with the AQF.

a. That nested arrangements shall be reviewed to ensure they comply with AQF requirements eg by definition and also to ensure the detailed FoE is the same for nested courses.


AQF ESOS Act

Medium

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CSFC Agenda


18 There may be changes required to

articulation arrangements with other providers.

a. That articulation arrangements with other national and international providers shall be reviewed for currency and relevance, with recommendations made for these arrangements to be renewed, varied or cancelled.


AQF Medium

19 The Schedule of Articulated Postgraduate Award Sets may no longer be relevant as it may become redundant under the RPL Policy.

a. That the Governance Services unit shall conduct a review of the RPL Policy and recommend action for 2015 with respect to the continuance or discontinuance of the Schedule of Articulated Postgraduate Award Sets.

Internal process Regulatory

AQF Low

20 A change in program may affect the eligibility of international students for a post-study work visa.

a. That the University shall provide information to international students with respect to the requirements for post-study work visas, but should be cautious not to provide ‘advice’ in relation to possible migration outcomes which would contravene the National Code, and be mindful that these requirements are subject to constant change.

Reputational ESOS Act

6

CSFC Agenda


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