Version Information
Fri, 31 Mar 2023
Approved by: Academic Board
Current Version: V1.0
Replaces Version: V0.0
Next Review: Thu, 31 Dec 2020
Domain:
Institute
Course Development and Approval Policy
Purpose
This policy provides a framework for the development and approval of new higher education courses by Metavision Institute. Metavision Institute aims to develop academically rigorous courses that are appropriate for the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level they are designed to meet, and consistent with the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Scope
This policy applies to Metavision Institute’s higher education courses and governance committees.
Definitions
Course design: the content, structure, learning outcomes and unit sequence of the course, as well as admission requirements, articulation pathways and professional accreditation.
Relevant TEQSA Threshold Standards
This policy aligns with Section 3.1 Course Design, the course approval requirements outlined in Section 5.1. Course Approval and Accreditation, and 5.2 Academic and Research Integrity in the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015.
Policy
1. Course design principles
In developing new higher education courses, Metavision Institute is cognisant of the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015, the AQF, Professional Training Standards for counselling and psychotherapy courses, and academic research and scholarship in the field of Process Oriented psychology, counselling and psychotherapy.
Metavision Institute’s higher education courses are designed to:
- Provide students with quality higher education counselling and psychotherapy qualifications,
- Develop Metavision Institute’s graduate attributes and course learning outcomes in students and graduates to enable them to work skilfully in diverse contexts,
- Deliver experiential teaching and learning experiences that foster critical thinking and self-reflection, Integrate theoretical knowledge and practice skills through work-integrated learning placements and supervision, and
- Facilitate students’ personal and professional development and growth.
To ensure quality in course design and content, new courses are developed in consultation with a Course Advisory Committee which is comprised of members from the following constituencies:
- Professional bodies and peak industry associations,
- Senior academic staff from other higher education providers,
- Metavision Institute’s academic teaching staff, and
- Graduates of the Institution.
The Course Advisory Committee assists in identifying the need and demand for proposed courses and assists Metavision Institute with industry and content specific advice and guidance in the course development stage.
Course development is grounded in Metavision Institute’s educational philosophy that emphasises the centrality of the adult learner in the learning process. The personal and professional development of each student is supported to foster innovation, critical thinking, and ethical and professional practice.
Metavision Institute’s higher education courses are designed to enable students to expand their professional interests across a range of related disciplines, enhance their future employment prospects and provide further study pathways.
2. Course development process
Courses will be developed with the oversight of Metavision Institute’s governance boards and committees in the following steps.
Step 1: Preliminary course proposal
A preliminary course proposal will be submitted to the Academic Board for discussion and endorsement. The course proposal includes:
- Metavision Institute’s capacity to develop and deliver the proposed course,
- How the proposed course aligns with Metavision Institute’s Strategic Plan and current course offerings,
- A description of the course rationale,
- An analysis of expected graduate employment opportunities,
- The alignment of the proposed course with professional accreditation requirements,
- Market research on the demand and need for the proposed course, including occupational workforce data,
- Admission criteria for the proposed course that will ensure students admitted into the course have the capacity to succeed in their study, and
- Course structure, mode of delivery, study pattern, course requirements and proposed units.
Once approved, the Academic Board submits the course proposal to the Governance Board for approval.
The Governance Board reviews the course proposal against the Institute’s strategic goals and ensures that adequate funds are available to support course development.
The Governance Board may:
- Support the course proposal and delegate course development to the Academic Director,
- Request further information regarding the course proposal,
- Reject the course proposal when development is not compatible with the Strategic Plan, or Metavision Institute’s physical or financial resources are not sufficient to support development.
Step 2: Course development
Following approval of the course proposal, the Academic Board convenes the Course Advisory Committee to oversee the development of the course. The Course Advisory Committee will consider the course proposal and course documents and make recommendations to ensure the course is:
- Equivalent to similar courses in the same field of education delivered by other higher education providers, supported by benchmarking of course structures, titles and admission criteria, and
- Aligned with appropriate academic standards, the AQF level of the proposed course and professional training standards.
The Course Advisory Committee will consider and approve the following elements of course design:
- Admission criteria,
- Course learning outcomes,
- Course structure and content,
- Course delivery mode,
- Unit outline templates, including learning outcomes,
- Constructive alignment template, mapping course learning outcomes against unit learning outcomes and assessments,
- Appropriateness of assessment tasks for the proposed course, and
- Work-integrated learning experiences.
An external academic member of the Course Advisory Committee will review a sample of unit curriculum and submit a report with recommendations to the Teaching and Learning Committee.
The Teaching and Learning Committee will make a recommendation to the Academic Board for approval of the revised unit curriculum.
Step 3: Development of the course accreditation application
Based on the Confirmed Table of Evidence provided by TEQSA and discussion and recommendations developed by the Course Advisory Committee, the course accreditation application will be developed with oversight by the Academic Director.
Step 4: External course review
An external academic in the same field of education will critically review the following aspects of course design:
- Course admission,
- Course learning outcomes mapped against AQF descriptors,
- Course structure,
- Study pattern,
- Course requirements,
- Admission criteria,
- Unit outline templates,
- Constructive alignment mapping template,
- Professional training standards mapping,
- Sample of marking rubrics, and
- Course proposal.
The reviewer provides critical feedback on whether the course meets the requirements of the proposed AQF level, reflects current and emerging disciplinary knowledge, and is aligned with the
Higher Education Standards Framework 2015. The recommendations by the reviewer are considered by the Course Advisory Committee and the Academic Board and the course is revised.
Step 5: Approval of course accreditation application prior to submission to TEQSA
The final course proposal and the academic components of the course accreditation application are submitted to the Academic Board for discussion and endorsement.
The final course proposal and the revised course accreditation application is then submitted to the Governance Board for approval.
The course accreditation application, with any required revisions, is lodged with TEQSA through the portal.
Responsibilities
The Academic Board is delegated responsibility by the Board of Directors for the academic governance and leadership of Metavision Institute. The Academic Board oversights the development and ongoing evaluation and review of Metavision Institute higher education courses.
The Course Advisory Committee is delegated responsibility by the Academic Board for oversight of the design and development of Metavision Institute’s accredited courses and units of study.
The Committee ensures that:
- courses and units of study are suited to the intended student cohort and achieve the intended learning outcomes, and
- the course structure and sequencing provide a coherent learning experience for students.
The Teaching and Learning Committee is responsible for considering the review of a sample of unit curriculum and making a recommendation to the Academic Board for approval of revised curriculum.
The Academic Director is responsible for facilitating the course design and approval process.
Related Documents
- Strategic Plan