Resident Institutions – Degree Program Approval Process
Initially the Ministry conducts a system coordination review (Stage 1) to determine the need for and sustainability of the program in the context of Campus Alberta. This review will:
- examine the institution's rationale for the program in the context of the institution’s strategic plans, mandate and learner and employer needs,
- assess the implications of the program for existing programs offered by the institution and in the wider context of Campus Alberta, and
- examine the institution’s budget plan for the program in relation to financial sustainability and implications for students and taxpayers.
Following a successful system coordination review, the Minister will formally refer the proposal to CAQC and request that it conduct its quality review (Stage 2). Council will then inform the applicant institution and request that it send the necessary documentation to Council.
Resident Alberta institutions are to submit Part A of proposals through the Provider and Program Registry System (PAPRS), using the proposal template provided in PAPRS. To view the full proposal template (Part A and B) for resident institutions, see Appendix C in Council's Handbook.
To view a flowchart of the complete degree program approval process, see section 2.1.3 in Council's Handbook.
Non-Resident Institutions – Degree Program Approval Process
Initially the Ministry conducts a system coordination review (Stage 1) to determine the need for and sustainability of the program in the context of Campus Alberta. This review will:
- examine the non-resident institution's rationale for the program in the context of learner and employer needs,
- assess the implications of the program for existing programs offered in the context of Campus Alberta, and
- examine the institution’s budget plan for the program in relation to financial sustainability and implications for students and taxpayers.
Following a successful system coordination review, the Minister will formally refer the proposal to CAQC and request that it conduct its quality review (Stage 2). Council will then inform the applicant institution and request that it send the necessary documentation to Council.
Non-resident institutions are to submit Part A of proposals by e-mail to Mr. Paul Gaudette, Director, Post-secondary Programs at paul.gaudette@gov.ab.ca, using the proposal template found in Appendix I in Council's Handbook.
Applications to the Ministry consist of the following:
a. Evidence
- that the non-resident institution has had, for at least the previous five years, the authority to offer (and has been offering) the degree program in its home jurisdiction (i.e., is appropriately recognized either at the program or institutional level by an accrediting body or quality assurance agency acceptable to the Ministry, where such a body or agency exists, and/or by the appropriate public authority;
- that the applicable oversight body in the home jurisdiction has approved or does not object to the institution's request for approval to offer the program in Alberta (evidence should be in the form of a letter from the oversight body);
- of the non-resident institution's status, whether public or private, in the home jurisdiction; and
- that the admission policies of Canadian non-resident institutions do not automatically prohibit consideration of graduates of Alberta approved degree programs.
b. An electronic copy of Part A of the Program Proposal via e-mail (preferably in Word or copyable PDF) to paul.gaudette@gov.ab.ca.
For more information about the degree program approval process for non-resident institutions, including the additional information required by Council, see section 2.3 in Council's Handbook.
To view a flowchart of the complete degree program approval process, see section 2.1.3 in Council's Handbook.
