• Section 1 - Purpose
• Scope
• Section 2 - Policy
• Section 3 - Procedures
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy and its Procedures specify the principles and process by which new award courses of study (courses) are accredited by Macquarie University (the University).

(2) This Policy supports the quality, integrity and relevance of the University’s suite of courses, which provide students with an academic experience that meets their needs, as well as the requirements of industry and disciplinary fields, in alignment with national and global priorities, and meets applicable regulatory requirements.

Scope

(3) This Policy applies to all Macquarie University award courses that align with the categories of the Australian Qualifications Framework, with the exception of the Doctor of Philosophy.

(4) This Policy does not apply to existing courses requiring Reaccreditation (see Course of Study Reaccreditation Policy) or revisions to an existing course unless the revision requires the course to be considered as a new course (see Course of Study Revision Policy).

(5) This Policy does not apply to Non-award programs of study.

Section 2 - Policy

(6) Course Accreditation is designed to ensure that all new courses:

1. are fit for purpose and meet all internal and external requirements and standards;
2. contribute to the University’s strategic direction;
3. are subject to thorough credible, effective and fair governance; and
4. benefit from consultation with relevant industry partners and professional associations.

(7) Course Accreditation is informed by:

1. the Delegations of Authority Register;
2. the Australian Qualifications Framework and the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021;
3. current pedagogical and professional developments in education and the specific discipline field(s) relevant to each course; and
4. course-specific benchmarking against national and, where appropriate, international comparators.

(8) A new course is accredited (approved) by Academic Senate subsequent to recommendation by the relevant Faculty/College Board following approval of the strategic and business case for a proposed new course (see the New Educational Products Policy).

(9) A new course will only be accredited when all of its core zone units and, where applicable, course components, have been approved by the relevant Faculty/College Board/s.

(10) Once a course is approved by Academic Senate, it is accredited for up to seven (7) years during which time it will be regularly monitored and reviewed in accordance with the Course of Study Monitoring and Review Policy. Prior to the end of its accreditation period, the course will be assessed for Reaccreditation in accordance with the Course of Study Reaccreditation Policy.

(11) A new course that has been accredited by Academic Senate may also require accreditation by an external body for professional and industry recognition to meet intended course outcomes. External accrediting bodies and dates are recorded on the Course Reaccreditation Schedule (CRS).

Section 3 - Procedures

(12) Following approval by the Vice-Chancellor to proceed with a new course proposal (see New Educational Products Policy) a new course proposal will be completed by the relevant Course Authority in the Curriculum Management System.

(13) The design of the new course and its constituent components must comply with:

1. the Curriculum Architecture Policy; and
2. the Assessment Policy.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(14) Nil.

Section 5 - Definitions

(15) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy:

1. Accreditation means the process where the design of a new academic item (course, course component or unit) is undertaken followed by the submission of an academic case through the pertinent academic governance process.
2. Course Authority is the person assigned by a Faculty or equivalent to perform certain roles at a course level, for example Course Director, Head of Department, Program Director.
3. Curriculum Management System refers to Macquarie University’s repository for all curriculum information including courses, course components (majors, specialisations, and minors), and units.
4. Non-award program of study is a sequence of learning that does not culminate in a qualification with the Australian Qualifications Framework.
5. Reaccreditation means the process where the formal appraisal of a course against institutional and course specific domains takes place, involving a group of academics, professional experts, and stakeholders.