Approval Process
The University's Program Development and Approval process applies to the development of new academic programs, and toÌýmajor revisionsÌýor deletions of existing programs and ensures these programs meet quality assurance.
Considerations when planning all proposal types
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- Including timeframesÌýfor individual stages (displayedÌýon left hand side)
- Faculty and school approval processes
- APEAC and GDSC Program Approval Working GroupÌýsubmission deadlines
- Resolution of any issues that may arise at one or more steps in the process
- Student recruitment timelines (domestic and international)
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Important: Before submitting a proposal to inactivate or suspend any programs, please check theÌý
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If the program being considered for inactivation or suspension is listed in the agreement, please contact APEAC prior to progressing the proposal.
Approval Stages
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Concept Proposal stage
This stage applies to new programs only.
During this stage, the proposal proponents obtain advice and endorsements from relevant areas across the University to prepare a Concept Proposal document.
The Concept Proposal must be submitted to the GDSC Program Approval Working Group with a cc toÌýAPEAC (subject line: Concept proposal for GDSC Program Approval WG for consideration).Following endorsement from the GDSC Program Approval WG, proponents must obtain endorsement from the Executive Dean of each involved Faculty, in order to then commence the Business Case stage. Endorsement should be sought through internal Faculty governance structures and approval processes.
Notes:
- If the proposal involves a University partner, approvals need to be sought from the relevant governance bodies.
- Proposals can be commenced by Faculties, GDSC Program Approval WG, or a combination of areas across the University. Furthermore, the University may elect to propose a new program in consultation with third parties (including industry bodies).
- Selected proposals may be eligible to use a fast-tracked version of the process, if previously agreed or identified as a priority and approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic). These proposals would proceed directly to the Business Case stage.
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Business Case stage
This stage applies to new programs and only.
During this stage proponents, including the coordinating Faculty, work alongside areas across the University such as Planning and Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Recruitment, and other areas as required, to prepare a Business Case document.
Following completion of the Business Case, proponents must submit this toÌýthe GDSC Program Approval Working Group , with a cc toÌýAPEAC (subject line: Business Case for GDSC Program Approval WG consideration). Should the GDSC Program Approval WG endorse the Business Case, the proponents will need to use Faculty governance structures and approval processes to obtain endorsement from the Executive Dean of each involved Faculty prior to commencing the Academic Design and Implementation stage.
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Academic Design and Implementation stage
This stage applies to new programs and specific major revisions only.
During this stage the proponents, including the coordinating Faculty, will arrange a series of workshops to complete the Program Proposal. The workshops will include consultation sessions with stakeholders across the University, to both determine the academic elements of the proposal and ensure it can be made operational in the anticipated timeframe.
Stakeholders across the University include:
- Admissions (for domestic and international student cohorts as required)
- Education Quality
- Education Transformation
- Educational Policy and Compliance
- University Finance
- International Compliance
- Learning Enhancement and Innovation
- Marketing
- Planning and Analytics
- Recruitment (student recruitment)
- Student Administration
- Includes: Student Data Collection; as a PeopleSoft proforma will need to be completed prior to submission at APEAC.
It is anticipated that the Program Proposal would be populated either during or as a result of these workshops throughout the Academic Design and Implementation stage.ÌýTeaching Excellence and Education Quality have created a set of resources to support coordinating Faculties in organising workshops and completing the corresponding sections of the relevant proposal form.
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Academic Approvals stage
This stage applies to new programs, major revisions, revisions to entry requirements and program inactivations.
During this stage, the finalised proposals, and any required supporting documents, are submitted to APEAC for consideration. Proposals endorsed by APEAC* will be sent to Academic Board for recommendation and subsequent approval by the Vice-Chancellor and President.
*Proposals to revise entry requirements will be sent to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) for approval, upon recommendation by APEAC.
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Revisions to entry requirements
TheÌýRevision of Entry Requirements formÌýis endorsed by the Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching) (DDLT), the Executive Dean (and, if any other faculties are involved, the relevant DDLT and Executive Dean) and Executive Director, Future Students. It is then submitted toÌýthe Admissions Committee for consideration. Subsequent to endorsement by the Admissions Committee, it will be considered by the Academic Program Entry and Approval CommitteeÌý(APEAC)Ìý(as per theÌýAPEACÌýsubmission deadlines).
APEAC will consider the recommendations based on the proposal’s merits and decide whether a recommendation for approval is to be made to the DVC&VP(A).
For further advice on entry requirements, refer to program structure and entry requirements.
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Proposals to inactivate (delete) programs
TheÌýProgram Inactivation formÌýis endorsed by the Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching) (DDLT), the Executive Dean (including the relevant DDLT and Executive Dean for any other faculties involved) and will require endorsement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement). It is then submitted toÌýAPEACÌý(as perÌýAPEACÌýsubmission deadlines) for consideration.
APEAC will consider the recommendations based on the proposal’s merits and decide whether the proposal will be sent to Academic Board for recommendation and subsequent approval by the Vice-Chancellor and President.
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Notification of Outcome
APEACÌýwill notify stakeholders of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s decision, or in the case of entry requirement revisions, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)’s decision.
Once approved the proposal commences implementation.
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Further Information
Further information regarding the APEAC process is available on ourÌýFAQsÌýpage.