Version Information
Fri, 31 Mar 2023
Approved by: Governance Board
Current Version: V1.0
Replaces Version: V0.0
Next Review: Thu, 31 Dec 2020
Domain:
Institute
Course Transition and Teach Out Policy
Purpose
This policy sets out Metavision Institute’s principles and process for managing its higher education courses in transition and ‘teach out’ mode to ensure the quality and integrity of courses is maintained and that students are not disadvantaged.
Scope
This policy applies to Metavision Institute’s higher education courses in the following circumstances:
- The Academic Board recommends, as a result of course evaluation and review, that Metavision Institute should not apply for renewal of accreditation for an existing course, and all students will have completed or transitioned out of the course on the due date for renewal of course accreditation,
- The Academic Board recommends that Metavision Institute does not apply for renewal of accreditation for an existing course, and there will be enrolled students on the due date for renewal of course accreditation, or
- A course enters teach out mode as a result of a decision by TEQSA, and students are still enrolled in the course.
Definitions
Teach out mode: New students cannot be admitted into a course, and arrangements are in place to ensure that currently enrolled students either complete the course of study or transition into an alternative course at Metavision Institute or another higher education provider without disadvantage.
Relevant TEQSA Threshold Standards
This policy aligns with Sections 6.2.i Corporate monitoring and accountability regarding financial and tuition safeguards, and 6.3 Academic governance in the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015.
Policy
1. The Academic Board is to recommend that the Governance Board approves the teach out or course transition plan before a higher education course is moved into teach out mode (unless the course entering teach out mode is as a result of a TEQSA decision).
2. A course can only be in teach out mode while it is still accredited by TEQSA.
3. A teach out or course transition plan is to be developed, demonstrating how currently enrolled students will complete the course, or transition into an equivalent alternative course offered by Metavision Institute or another higher education provider. The plan is to demonstrate how the quality and integrity of the course will be maintained during teach out.
4. The teach out or course transition plan is not to disadvantage students in terms of:
- Their capacity to progress through the course and complete all course requirements, or
- financial cost.
5. Wherever possible, students who have not completed the course within the teach out period will be assisted to transition into an alternative course.
6. Tuition Assurance Arrangements
Metavision Institute ensures that it has in place adequate tuition assurance arrangements to cover the fees of currently enrolled students in any one semester. This arrangement protects student fees paid in advance.
7. Transition
Students enrolled in a course put into teach out are entitled to:
- The offer of a place in a similar course of study in the same discipline and at the same AQF level with another higher education provider (refer to Appendix one) with no requirement to pay the provider any tuition fees for replacement units for which fees have already been paid (as outlined above),
or
- A refund of tuition fees paid for enrolled units in which they have commenced study but are not able to complete because Metavision Institute has ceased to provide the units.
8. Appeals
Students may appeal a decision made within this policy, excluding decisions made by Metavision Institute or TEQSA to place courses into teach out. Appeals must follow the Student Grievance, Complaints and Appeals Policy (Academic).
Responsibilities
The Academic Board, on the basis of the course review process, makes a recommendation to the Governance Board on whether Metavision Institute will apply for re-accreditation of a course, or place the course into teach out mode.
The Academic Director is responsible for:
- The implementation of this policy,
- Developing and monitoring individual study plans or course transition plans for students enrolled in a course in teach out to ensure they are able to complete the course or an equivalent course,
- Ensuring new students are not enrolled into a course once it enters teach out mode, and
- Developing and implementing agreements with other higher education providers to enable students to complete their course by transitioning into an equivalent course with another higher education provider in the same Field of Education (for circumstances when Metavision Institute does not have an alternate course for students to transition into).
Related Documents
- Formal Complaints and Appeals Lodgement Form