Degree Authorization

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who administers the degree quality assessment process?
  2. What are the roles and responsibilities of the Degree Quality Assessment Board?
  3. What range of degrees does the Degree Quality Assessment Board review and recommend to the minister?
  4. Is there a cost to go through the degree quality assessment process?
  5. How do institutions apply?
  6. How long does the assessment process take?
  7. What is exempt status?
  8. What does the Degree Authorization Act do?
  9. Do private institutions still have to register with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (which replaced the Private Post Secondary Education Commission), once they have received ministerial consent under the act?
  10. How does the Degree Authorization Act affect degree-granting institutions already registered with the Private Post Secondary Education Commission?
  11. What is an applied degree?
  12. What is the purpose of the applied degree ministry review?

1. Who administers the degree quality assessment process?

The Degree Quality Assessment Board oversees the process and makes recommendations on applications for ministerial consent or approval to offer, advertise or grant degree programs in British Columbia. The board also reviews applications for exempt status and for institutions governed by the Degree Authorization Act for ministerial consent to use the word “university.”

2. What are the roles and responsibilities of the Degree Quality Assessment Board?

The role of the board, in its advisory capacity to the minister, is to oversee the degree quality assessment process to ensure consistent and high-quality education standards are met and maintained by institutions in the provincial post-secondary system. The board will also review the work of external academic experts involved in evaluating program proposals.

3. What range of degrees does the Degree Quality Assessment Board review and recommend to the minister?

The board reviews baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees - both applied and academic. The board also reviews associate degrees from private and out-of-province public institutions. The board does not review degrees in theology.

4. Is there a cost to go through the degree quality assessment process?

Fees are charged to applicants for degrees, exempt status and use of the word “university.” More information on fees and costs is provided under Application and Review Steps.

5. How do institutions apply?

The application and review system for the degree quality assessment process is be online through the web-based post-secondary institution proposal system. Information on how to obtain a user ID and password is provided in the application section.

6. How long does the assessment process take?

The length of the review varies depending on the application, but most reviews are completed within six months.

7. What is exempt status?

Institutions with appropriate governance mechanisms, demonstrated organizational capacity for degree granting and a proven track record may be eligible to apply for exempt status.

Eligible institutions make a one-time application for exempt status and if approved by the minister, are able to offer degree programs and grant degrees up to the degree level that they have been offering for at least 10 years. Exempt status institutions are not required to have their degree programs assessed by the board unless the degree program was beyond the degree level for which they are exempt or if recommended by the minister. These institutions still need to obtain ministerial consent/approval for their degree programs.

For more information on exempt status, please see the exempt status criteria and guidelines.

8. What does the Degree Authorization Act do?

The Degree Authorization Act requires a quality assessment process to be established that provides the basis for ministerial consent to allow private and out-of-province public post-secondary institutions to grant degrees, provide or advertise degree programs, and/or use the word "university" in British Columbia. By amending other legislation, it also increases degree-granting opportunities at British Columbia public post-secondary institutions.

9. Do private institutions still have to register with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (which replaced the Private Post Secondary Education Commission), once they have received ministerial consent under the act?

If a private institution has received consent to offer degree programs and only offers degree programs for which it has consent, it no longer has to register with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency. If the private institution also offers diploma or certificate programs, it may still have to register with the agency.

10. How does the Degree Authorization Act affect degree-granting institutions that were registered with the Private Post Secondary Education Commission (which is now replaced by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency)?

The Degree Authorization Act provided an exemption from the consent requirements for up to five years until April 11, 2007, for those institutions that were registered with the Private Post Secondary Education Commission on April 11, 2002, and who were granting degrees, providing or advertising degree programs, or using the word "university" at that time. After April 11, 2007, all institutions that advertise and provide degree programs or grant degrees must be authorized under the Degree Authorization Act. See the Degree Authorization Act for further information on the consent requirements of the minister.

If a private institution has received consent to offer degree programs under the Degree Authorization Act and only offers degree programs for which it has consent, it no longer has to register with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency. If the private institution also offers diploma or certificate programs, it may still have to register with the agency.

11. What is an applied degree?

Applied degree programs are closely linked to a specific labour market need. They combine theory and hands-on practice in specific technical or career areas, while also helping students develop generic skills like analytical and critical approaches to problem-solving.

Applied degrees are not general academic bachelor of arts or science degrees, nor are they umbrella degrees that combine a number of loosely related programs to provide an advanced credential.

Amendments to the College and Institute Act allow colleges to apply to offer applied baccalaureate degrees, and university colleges and provincial institutes to apply to offer applied degrees at the master's level. The ministry uses the term new mandate degrees to distinguish them from degrees with an applied focus that have been delivered by British Columbia institutions for some time.

12. What is the purpose of the applied degree ministry review?

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development reviews new mandate applied degrees to make sure they fit within the broader post-secondary education system context and government priorities. The Degree Quality Assessment Board review of the full program proposal concentrates on educational quality.

The ministry's review looks at the institution's readiness to offer applied degree programs and focuses on four issues:

  1. Fit with institution's mandate and academic/education plan
  2. Student demand
  3. Labour market demand
  4. Unwarranted duplication of degree programs