Alberta Record

· Order in Council / Programs of Study Regulation Amendment · in-force

Oic 2024 65 programs of study regulation amendment

This Order in Council amends the Programs of Study Regulation, allowing the Council to approve degree programs based solely on an attestation from an applicant institution, provided the institution meets specific conditions regarding its r…

Moderate impactInstitutional independenceEducationPost-secondary institutionsThe public, directly

What changed

  • Introduces a new subsection (1.1) to Section 5 of the Programs of Study Regulation, allowing the Council to approve degree programs based solely on an attestation from the applicant institution.
  • This attestation-based approval is conditional on the Council determining that the institution has a satisfactory record of proposing degree programs that meet established standards.
  • The new process also requires the Council to determine that the applicant institution has quality assurance policies and procedures satisfactory to the Council.
  • Amends Section 5(1) to make the Council's mandatory review of degree programs 'subject to subsection (1.1)', thereby creating an alternative approval pathway.
  • Clarifies that the standards and conditions for degree programs are those established under Section 7 of the Regulation.

Why it matters

  • Potentially streamlines the degree program approval process for post-secondary institutions that have a proven record of compliance and robust internal quality assurance.
  • Shifts the Council's role from mandatory direct review of all programs to a discretionary oversight model for certain institutions, relying more on institutional self-attestation.
  • Increases the reliance on an institution's internal quality assurance mechanisms and its historical compliance record for program approval.
  • Could reduce administrative burden for institutions with established reputations and robust internal processes, potentially accelerating program development.
  • Introduces a new point of discretion for the Council in determining what constitutes a 'satisfactory record' and 'satisfactory quality assurance policies and procedures'.

Other governance concerns

  • Potential for reduced external oversight of degree program quality for institutions utilizing the attestation pathway.
  • Reliance on institutional self-attestation for program approval, contingent on Council's assessment of internal processes.
  • Consistency in the Council's application of criteria for 'satisfactory record' and 'satisfactory quality assurance policies'.

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