Degree Authorization

Private and Out-of-Province Public Institutions - Quality Assessment

Overview

Submission of full program proposal – for public review

Institutions submitting a degree proposal for review by the Degree Quality Assessment Board must provide a full program proposal following the guidelines outlined in the degree program review criteria and guidelines.
A full program proposal is posted on the post-secondary institution proposal system, an online, password-protected database, and is also displayed on the Degree Granting Authorization website at Applications Under Review for public viewing and comment for 30 days. Comments from the public are to be sent to the submitting institution at the e-mail address listed in the executive summary and copied to the board secretariat.
IMPORTANT: Any proprietary information should not be included in full program proposal but be attached separately on the post-secondary institution proposal system as an appendix document. Appendices will not be posted on the public website.

External Expert Review (if applicable)

The board conducts an initial review of the application to determine whether an organization or program review by external experts is required, or whether prior accreditation materials can be recognized as satisfying all or part of British Columbia's criteria.
If a review is required, the institution may nominate external experts. See the policies on the use of external experts.
The board chooses the experts from the list of experts maintained by the board secretariat or from nominations provided by the institution.
The institution is advised of the review and notified of the applicable costs.
Following the review, the external experts provide a report to the board and to the institution. The institution may send written comments to the board on the external experts report.

For degree programs:

If both an organization and program review are required, the institution may undergo organization and program reviews consecutively or concurrently.

Recommendation of the Board

The board reviews the submission materials using the criteria laid out in the criteria and guidelines document, and considers the external expert reports, if applicable, any public comments and institutional comments and makes a recommendation to the minister.
The board will recommend that the minister grant consent, grant consent with terms and conditions, or not grant consent for the institution’s application.
The institution is informed of the board’s recommendation by the board secretariat.

Minister’s Requirements and Decision

The minister reviews the board’s recommendation and other requirements before granting or not granting ministerial consent.
The minister must be satisfied that adequate arrangements are in place to provide students with access to their transcripts before consent can be granted.
The minister must not give consent unless satisfied that an institution has given security to protect the interests of students in the event that the institution cannot complete the delivery of the degree program.
Standard terms and conditions will be attached to all consents. Individual terms and conditions addressing the specifics of each proposal may also be imposed by the minister.

Notification

The institution is advised of the board’s recommendation and the minister’s decision to grant or deny consent, and the decision is posted on the ministry website at recommendations and decisions.

*Note: in addition to the public posting of the minister’s decision, for submissions made after Dec. 11, 2006, a synopsis of the board’s recommendation will also be posted on the ministry website. This is to reflect the board and the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the interests of the public are served by having an open and accountable process.

Overview

Submission of program proposal – for public review

Institutions with exempt status must submit new degree program proposals for minister’s consent in the format used by the institution for its internal approval process. See the Degree Program Review Criteria and Guidelines for information on the specific submission guidelines.
A new program proposal is posted on the post-secondary institution proposal system, an online, password-protected website, and will also be displayed on the public Degree Granting Authorization website at Applications Under Review for public viewing and comment for 30 days. Comments from the public are to be sent to the submitting institution at the e-mail address listed in the executive summary, and copied to the board secretariat.
IMPORTANT: Any proprietary information should not be included in the degree program proposal, but be attached separately on the post-secondary institution proposal system as an appendix document. Appendices will not be posted on the public website.

Minister’s Requirements and Decision

Following the 30-day review period, new degree programs submitted by exempt institutions go directly to the minister for decision and are not reviewed by the board unless the minister has concerns about a proposal.
The minister must be satisfied that adequate arrangements are in place to provide students with access to their transcripts before consent can be granted.
The minister must not give consent unless satisfied that an institution has given security to protect the interests of students should it not be able to complete delivery of the degree program.
Ministerial consents may have terms and conditions attached.

Notification

The institution is advised of the board’s recommendation and the minister’s decision to grant or deny consent, and the decision is posted on the ministry website at recommendations and decisions.

*Note: in addition to the public posting of the minister’s decision, for submissions made after Dec. 11, 2006, a synopsis of the board’s recommendation will also be posted on the ministry website. This is to reflect the board and the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the interests of the public are served by having an open and accountable process.