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APPLICATION for ACCREDITATION OF COURSES

for

COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

If an institute has submitted an application to TEQSA or ASQA, supporting information in this PACFA process may be submitted in the TEQSA or ASQA format. Please ensure all documents are cross referenced to this application document for ease of reference.

© 2015 Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia

290 Park StreetNorth Fitzroy Victoria 3068Australia

Telephone : +61-(0)3-9486 3077Facsimile : +61-(0)3-9486 3933Email : [email protected] : www.pacfa.org.au

Application for Accreditation (March 2015 version) of 23

http://www.pacfa.org.au/

mailto:[email protected]

SUBMISSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

The application process is form-based with supporting appendices. The Application form is the same for initial applications for accreditation or applications for re-accreditation.

Forms are provided in electronic format (as WORD files) that can be edited in most word processing packages. Applicants are asked to complete all forms electronically. If possible, the preferred format for saving files is either WORD or PDF. All files should be saved in one directory only, with the name of the institution as the directory name.

One copy of the submission for course accreditation should be provided to the address below on a USB stick. Alternatively, the submission can be uploaded to a file sharing application such as Dropbox and the link sent to PACFA via email. Please do not forward hard copies of documents unless absolutely necessary. If possible, appendices such as Student Handbooks should be sent as pdf files.

PACFA Course AccreditationPACFA290 Park Street Tel : 03-9486 3077North Fitzroy Victoria Fax : 03-9486 3933Australia Email : [email protected]

If the institution is unable to utilise the forms provided, and provide an electronic copy, the applicant is required to adhere to the structure and content requirements of the application.

APPLICATION FEE

Fees are $3,500 (including GST) per program and per location for five years of accreditation or $4,900 (including GST) if accreditation is sought for seven years1. The minimum fee payable is $3,500 (including GST). Where there is an online or distance mode of delivery, this counts as an additional location in terms of fees. Fees are to be lodged with the application. Please contact the PACFA Office to ask them to raise an Invoice for application fees prior to submitting the application.

Assessment for accreditation cannot proceed until the fee has been received. The fee is an application fee and is not refundable after 14 days of receipt of payment. Where a request for refund is received within 14 days, withdrawing the submission, a 10% administration fee is payable.

The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the accreditation process.

If accreditation is refused the Institution may decide to amend the proposed course and make a new submission. If a further submission is made this would be expected to be under substantially different circumstances, for a substantially amended course or for a different course. A further fee will be required for a re-submission.

COURSE ACCREDITATION APPLICATION GUIDELINES

For full details of the course accreditation process and instructions on how to complete the Application Forms, please refer to the Course Accreditation Process and Application Guidelines.

1 EPAC will consider applications for seven years from providers with TEQSA Accredited courses and from providers recognised by TEQSA as self-accrediting authorities. The purpose is allow TEQSA and PACFA accreditation periods to align. If accreditation for years 6 and 7 of PACFA accreditation is not endorsed by EPAC the payments for these years are refundable.


mailto:[email protected]

COURSE ACCREDITATION APPLICATION FORMS

THE INSTITUTION

Institution Please provide the full name under which the Institution operates. If other organisations are involved in the delivery of courses included in this application, details should be provided on an additional form. On this form please provide the name of the institution conferring the award. You are also required to provide other details about the institution.

Name of Institution

Head of Institution

Address

Facsimile

Web Site

Email address

Telephone

Institution Please provide details of the primary contact and person responsible for this application. All contact from PACFA will be through this person. Two telephone numbers should be provided to facilitate contact.

Name

Title

Address

Telephone numbers

Facsimile

Email address

Accreditation details – e.g. University, or ASQA /TEQSA Accredited (leave blank if not an accredited organisation)


Form 1Form 1

Organisation Unit This section requires you to provide details of the institution/college/school/department offering the course(s) for accreditation. If more than one unit is involved, provide only the name of the unit conferring the qualification. Room is provided to allow a three level description of the organisation unit – in the first row provide the type of unit (eg. faculty or department) and in the second row the title of the unit.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Head of Unit

Address

Web Site

Telephone

Email address

Email address

Program Team(s) (Identify the team members with primary responsibility for the course(s).

Team Member Professional Memberships (Counselling / Psychotherapy Associations)

Courses Please provide a list of courses submitted for accreditation. If the course is not Accredited under the AQF, provide the equivalent level of the course.Abbreviated Title refers to the type of award (eg. Diploma, Bachelor, GD, PGD, Masters). You are also required to complete a Form 2: Course Objectives and Course Work for each course, submitted for accreditation.

Title of Course AQF Level(or equivalent)

Abbreviated Title

TEQSA / ASQA Accreditation details (if applicable)

Curriculum documents and Handbooks

Please provide a copy (electronically) as Appendix 1A of relevant documents provided to potential students: student handbook, brochures and / or other material describing the program and its requirements. (Refer to Guidelines FORM 1 Sections B to G)


COURSE OBJECTIVES AND COURSE WORK

This form is required for all courses that are to be accredited. A new form is required for each course.

The intention of this form, with Forms 2A and 2B, is to provide the panel members with information to assess the course for subject content, depth, breadth and intellectual effort required. The information in this form, and associated forms and appendices and documents, will be evaluated against the accreditation guidelines and PACFA Training Standards.

Include as Appendix 2A, the course documentation given to students prior to enrolment and post enrolment.

Rationale and Objectives

Please provide the rationale and objectives developed for each course to be submitted for accreditation. Course code (normally used within the Institution) and course title, as used on the testamur and academic transcripts.

Course Code

Course Title

AQF Level

EFT years of study

Course Coordinator

Course Rationale Please provide any published or Institution approved rationale for this course. (Refer Guidelines FORM 2 Section A.


Form 2

Course Objectives Please provide any published or Institution approved objectives for this course. It is expected that a significant objective is to educate professionals in psychotherapy and / or counselling

Campus List all campuses at which you seek accreditation to offer the course. Please include off-campus (in any mode) as a separate campus. Please also ensure that a Form 7: Campus Information exists for all campuses on the list.

Compulsory Units Provide a list of all units/subjects that are mandatory for completion of this course. Please provide in semester/year order, commencing Semester 1/Year 1. The percentage column requires you to advise the percentage this unit is, of the total course requirement.

Please attach a separate Appendix 2B: Unit/Subject Outline for each unit listed. Include a list of prescribed/recommended text and readings with each outline. If you have provided this information with another course, please do not repeat it, however, it must be included on this list. The Code should be that code used within the Institution. The File Name is the location where the unit/subject details have been supplied. Existing format will suffice for the provision of this information.


Code Unit Title Year Semester % File name for Unit Detail


Elective Units Provide a list of all units/subjects that are available to be taken as electives in this course. Please provide in semester/year order, commencing Semester 1/Year 1. The percentage column requires you to advise the percentage this unit would constitute of the total course requirement.

Please attach a separate Appendix 2B: Unit/Subject Outline for each unit listed. Include a list of prescribed/recommended text and readings with each outline. If you have provided this information with another course, please do not repeat it, however, it must be included on this list. The Code should be that code used within the Institution. The File name is the location where the unit/subject details have been supplied. Existing format will suffice for theprovision of this information.

Code Unit Title Year Sem % File name for Unit Detail


Appendix 2ACourse Structure (recommended format)

This format allows the applicant to provide a graphical view of the course structure, to assist the Accreditation Panel in its analysis of the course content, especially in terms of breadth and depth of the content. If you use this format please use colour codes to indicate mandatory and elective units. It would also assist if prerequisite subjects are linked in some way (a red line is suggested). If units are not of equal weighting, please indicate with the name of the unit, the percentage that each unit constitutes of the whole course.

YEAR 1

Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3

YEAR 2


YEAR 3


YEAR 4



Provide a description and attachments in this section that indicate how the institution meets the requirements of FORM 2 Sections D to I of the Guidelines: details may be provided as attachments (pdf preferred) and a reference to the attached material provided below. If the material has already been supplied as part of Appendix 1A (Curriculum Documents and Handbooks) do not attach it again. Please provide a reference to its location in Appendix 1A.

D. Postgraduate Admissions Provide details of any process to allow admission under special provisions to non-graduate entrants

E. Engagement with PACFA Member Associations Provide details of mechanism that encourage student engagement with Professional Associations in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

F. Assessment of student suitability during the course. Provide details of processes during the course that assess suitability managing transition from the course to other programs (where possible).

G. Syllabi and student material. Provide an example of a Unit outline as provided to students

I. Specific Content. Specify the units within the course that cover each of the areas specified in the PACFA Training Standards.

Unit Code / Title Topic


Form 2 B

PROGRAM STAFF

Table 1: Staff type and level

Staff Type and Role Number Gender FTE

AcademicManagement

Teaching

Support

Development

Professional/TechnicalStaff support

Student support

Development

Administrative

Table 2: Visiting/External academic input

Activity Visiting academics Industry/ProfessionalsNumber Hours or FTE Number Hours or FTE

Direct teaching

Project leadership

Research

Development

Other


Form 3

SENIOR STAFF

Please provide a list of senior staff and consultants involved in the courses submitted for accreditation. The list should include all senior academic staff and all course coordinators/leaders. The list should also include external people who have significant input into the delivery of the courses. Please start with the Head of the Institution (or equivalent) and order accordingly. A Form 3.2: Staff Details is required for all staff members, including those on this list.

Name Title Role/ Contribution


Form 3.1

Form 3.2

STAFF DETAILS

Where staff details have been submitted to TEQSA or ASQA these details may be submitted in TEQSA or ASQA format as attachments. This form is required for all staff who have input into or support the academic program associated with the courses, subject to accreditation. Each staff member is not required to provide a full curriculum vitae, only the details required below. A Form 3.2 should be provided for each staff member. The Institution may also provide additional details by way of a link to a web site or an additional file supplied with this applicationThe intention of this form is to provide the panel members with information to assess the qualifications (professional, academic and experiential) of staff input into the design, delivery and assessment of the courses submitted for accreditation. You are asked to provide details only for the past 10 years (except, of course, academic qualifications) unless you consider earlier information to be significant to the accreditation process.

Personal Details

Name

Full CV available at

Title

Role/Contribution

Qualifications Include all internal staff development & other short course attendance

Qualification/Course Year Institution Specialisation/topics

Teaching Activities A list of all areas in which you are currently teaching in the courses under review. Please include type of activity such as coordinator, lecturer, unit leader, tutor etc.

Role Unit, course or subject


Membership Provide membership details of any professional or other bodies. Please provide the number of years you have been a member. Please also include any details of positions/roles you have held in those bodies in the past 10 years.

Body/Organisation Years Roles or other details of activities

Research Please provide, in free format, details of any research you have conducted within the last 10 years. You should indicate the nature of the research, any grants received and the names of any colleagues involved in the research activity. Please start with title and list most recent activities first.

Year Details of research activity

Experience This allows each staff member to provide details of both academic and professional experience. The academic section should also include experience gained from visitor status at other tertiary institutions. Industry experience should also include details of consulting work that is not covered in the research area.

The format is free format, allowing each respondent to answer in the way they see fit. Please try to list with most recent activities first.

Total years of experienceAcademic

Professional


Academic Experience

Year Organisation Position/activities

Professional Experience

Year Organisation Position/activities

Publications Please provide your most recent publications

Year Authors Title/abstract


PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Provide details of the practical experience in counselling and psychotherapy that is or is intended to be part of the program. Refer to Guidelines FORM 3A Sections B to F.

Each institution will vary according to local demands and availability of practical experiences. Your description is asked to address in detail:

Quality assurance processes for sites and site supervisors Practical experience provided on or off campus. Hours of face to face client contact and Supervision hours for students Mix of individual and group supervision


Form 3.A

LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

Library Details These details should relate to library and other information resources that are available to students.

Number of library staff

Number of other support staff

Hours/methods of access

Average expenditure on:

Periodicals

Books

Electronic resources

Periodicals Please provide details of periodicals that are on-campus and/or accessible through electronic means. If a list of periodicals is available, please provide an electronic copy and the File name (as Appendix 4A) in the area provided.

Access charges refer to those charges that are incurred by students when receiving a printed copy of an article.

Number of periodicals:

On campus

Access (electronic)

Access charges

File name of periodicals list


Form 4

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Pease provide details of the Institution’s processes that meet the requirements outlined in the Guidelines Form 5 A -J. You may provide a brief comment to outline the procedure, or refer to attachments or documents already provided above or provide a new attachment and page references. Please do not provide a document more than once.

Guidelines Requirement Description of process or Reference to attachment

A. Course information for prospective students

B. Procedure to respond to enquiries

C. Procedures for beginning students:1. Orientation2. Student Handbook containing:a. Academic appeals policyb. Information re PACFA MA’sc. Program rationale and objectivesD. Maintaining contact with current

students and staff.E. Documented grievance procedure

F. Student / staff ratio

G. Policy on multiculturalism

H. Published admissions criteria detailing:1. Input from program staff2. Capacity to develop effective

interpersonal skills3. Aptitude for tertiary study and

technical capacity4. Career goals and objectives5. Openness to self-examination and

developmentI. Authority for admissions decisions

J. Academic advice provided to students during the course.


Form 5

QUALITY PROCESSES

While the accreditation process is not a formal review of quality mechanisms within the Institution, the application should demonstrate that quality processes are in place to establish and maintain standards, especially in relation to: staff selection; entry to courses; course integrity; assessment and student/staff consultation and success in achieving course objectives and graduate attribute profiles.

Form 6 – Quality Mechanisms requires that the respondent supplies an electronic copy of quality mechanisms in place. The form includes a number of recommended documents but room is also allowed for documents that the respondent thinks are of particular relevance to the Accreditation Panel. Where information has been provided as part of a previous form, please do not provide the document again.

The panel will be particularly interested in outcomes and benchmarking results. To this end, please provide measures of performance associated with the listed processes.

PRACTITIONER INPUT AND ADVISORY MECHANISMS

The Institution should establish that effective advisory processes are in place to allow professional and industry input to course design and the teaching program. This will cover issues such as course advisory panels and visiting practitioners to the faculty.

The panel will not necessarily review these processes, rather it will satisfy itself that they exist and look to determine satisfactory outcomes from the processes. Where faculties have such an advisory body, they are encouraged to nominate one of its members to the Accreditation Panel.

The Institution is asked to provide a Form 6.1 Advisory Mechanisms for each body established, for the purpose of generating external input to faculty/department/school activities.

The application should also address issues of staff or faculty membership of, and participation in, such bodies as PACFA and Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE).


QUALITY MECHANISMS

Please provide any quality assurance documents associated with the issues. The Accreditation Panel will be keen to ensure that processes are in place but will concentrate more on outcomes and any benchmarking activities. Although some titles are recommended, you should take advantage of the opportunity to provide other documentation that will support your application for accreditation.

Code Title File Namee.g. Staff, selection and appointment proceduresStaff development policies and outcomes

qm1.docqm2.doc


Form 6

ADVISORY MECHANISMS

Course Committee Title: _________________________________________________

Terms of Reference/Objectives

Membership

Name Organisation

Appendices

Document Title File Name


Form 6.1

CAMPUS INFORMATION

Campus Details Please provide details of the name and location of each campus, regardless of ownership. A form is required for all locations at which the course is delivered. If a course is delivered in off-campus/external mode, or through eLearning, please complete this form and only supply the relevant information.

Name of Campus

Address

Telephone

Facsimile

Website

Email address

Courses Please list all courses for which accreditation is sought for this campus. If other organisations are involved in the delivery of these courses, please complete a Form 7.1: Partnerships for each organisation involved. A Form 7.1 is required for all joint ventures, partnerships, host arrangements etc.

Title of Course Partner File Name for Form 7.1 Partnerships

Campus Contact Please provide details of the primary contact and person responsible for this campus. Two telephone numbers should be provided to facilitate contact. For off-campus/external studies, please provide the Head of External Studies or equivalent.

NameTitleAddressTelephone numbersFacsimileEmail address


Form 7

PARTNERSHIP

Partner Details Please provide details of the CEO or equivalent and contact details for each partner of a different form.

Organisation

Chief Executive Officer

Address

Telephone

Facsimile

Website

Email address

Organisation Details Please provide details of the primary contact and person responsible for this campus. Two telephone numbers should be provided to facilitate contact. If this is the same person as the campus contact in Form 7, please leave blank.

Name

Title

Address

Telephone numbers

Facsimile

Website

Email address


Form 7.1