Ministerial consent to offer a degree program in British Columbia
- Degree Program Review Criteria and Guidelines (2006)
- Organization Review Self Study Criteria (2006)
- Minister’s Requirements
- Minister’s Consent
- Related Legislation
The Degree Program Review Criteria and Guidelines outline the requirements for submitting a proposal for degree programs and the assessment criteria used by the Degree Quality Assessment Board.
All degree proposals must be submitted through the Post-secondary Institution Proposal System
Ministerial consent to use the word 'university' in British Columbia
The Criteria and Guidelines for Use of the Word “University” outline the requirements for submitting an application for use of the word “university” and the assessment criteria used by the Degree Quality Assessment Board.
Changes to the submission process for applications for use of the word “university” are in effect beginning Dec. 11, 2006. These changes have been developed in consultation with post-secondary system stakeholders and the Degree Quality Assessment Board and have been incorporated into the criteria and guidelines document.
Important Notice:
The criteria for use of the word “university” applicable to institutions governed by the Degree Authorization Act are still under revision. No new applications from British Columbia-based institutions proposing to become universities will be accepted at this time. Applications from universities already established in other jurisdictions will be accepted.
Applications for ministerial consent to use the word “university” must be submitted through the post-secondary institution proposal system.
Ministerial approval for Exempt Status
The Exempt Status Criteria and Guidelines outline the requirements for submitting an application to obtain exempt status and the assessment criteria used by the Degree Quality Assessment Board.
Institutions may apply to the Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development for exempt status to a particular degree level (i.e. associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral level). Once an institution has exempt status to a particular degree level, that institution can submit new degree proposals directly to the Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development for approval. The degree program review criteria and guidelines outline the specific requirements for submitting a proposal for a new degree program for institutions with exempt status. Information on how to obtain exempt status is provided in the exempt status criteria and guidelines.
Applications for ministerial approval to obtain exempt status must be submitted through the post-secondary institution proposal system.
Other documents
The Degree Quality Assessment Board has developed guidelines for out-of-province institutions operating in British Columbia through branch operations or collaborative arrangements, for recognizing prior assessments and accreditations and for renewal of consent. These guidelines are found in the degree program review criteria and guidelines appendices.
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