Degree Authorization
B.C. Public Institutions - Applied Degrees Policy Framework
As part of its work to increase access to post-secondary education, the Ministry of Advanced Education has extended the degree-granting powers of public post-secondary institutions.
Amendments to the College and Institute Act allow colleges to offer applied baccalaureate degrees, and university colleges and provincial institutes to offer applied degrees at the master’s level, with approval from the minister.
- The ministry review addresses the institution’s readiness to offer applied degree programs and focuses on four issues:
- Fit with institution’s mandate and academic/education plan
- Student demand
- Labour market demand
- Unwarranted duplication of degree programs
Challenges and Opportunities
The demand for post-secondary education is expected to grow
- British Columbia is experiencing a net increase in the traditional post-secondary age group (18-24 years) with an expected 4.3 percent increase in this age group between 2002 and 2005.
- With the pending retirement of many ‘baby-boomers,’ a skills shortage is predicted in areas such as health care and high technology, especially in rural areas where it is more difficult to recruit and retain educated and skilled workers.
- British Columbia’s participation rate for 18-24 year olds (the traditional age group attending post-secondary institutions) was 46.2 percent, which is below the national average of 49.5 percent (1998/99 figures). Historically, British Columbia has been a net importer of educated workers; a practice that is likely to become more difficult as most other jurisdictions also experience skills shortages and compete for qualified workers.
The expanding role of post-secondary education in a knowledge-based economy
- The province continues to shift towards a knowledge-based economy. Between 1989 and 1999, employment in the professional, scientific and technical services sector grew by 62.7 percent. Increasingly, available jobs in these sectors require some form of post-secondary education at the degree level. For example, the British Columbia Technology Industries Association has indicated that a priority should be put on increasing graduates in degree programs to meet the needs of the information technology industry.
Enabling public post-secondary institutions to remain relevant and competitive
- The current environment requires public post-secondary institutions to respond to the evolving needs of the labour market, in the broader context of fiscal restraints and economic re-structuring.
- At Core Services Review meetings held in mid-October 2001, British Columbia’s public colleges, university colleges and two degree-granting institutes expressed an interest in offering degree programs that fell beyond their legislated mandate.
- In response, the Ministry is increasing opportunities for both public and private post-secondary educators to grant degrees, to increase choice for students and to enable public institutions to remain competitive within the expanding spectrum of available post secondary education options.
Applied degree granting and strategic shifts in government priorities
- The Ministry of Advanced Education Service Plan identifies five strategic shifts and a nine point plan describing initiatives of interest to the Ministry. The expansion of opportunities for public institutions to offer applied degrees is consistent with several components of the Ministry’s plan:
- Creating more choice for students through opportunities to pursue degrees from a wider variety of institutions.
- Creating closer and more effective links between the post-secondary education system and the economy and public interest.
- Reshaping the public post-secondary institutions into a more coherent, integrated system.
The required legislated changes were included in the Consequential and Related Amendments section of the Degree Authorization Act, which was passed by the legislature, May 2002. The amendments were brought into force by regulation May 16, 2003.
- To provide expanded opportunities for students to acquire credentials beyond the diploma level, which reflect the increased certification necessary for many occupations.
- To improve access to degree programs and to train and retain educated employees in applied and professional fields throughout the province. Evidence suggests that learners remain in communities where they were trained.
- To address the need for a highly skilled workforce and pending skill shortages in existing and emerging occupations.
- To provide a cost-effective approach to increase degree options through an experienced, established and province-wide system.
- To enable public colleges to remain relevant and competitive within the expanding spectrum of available post-secondary education options.
- The delivery of high quality instruction at the certificate and diploma level will remain the priority of colleges.
- Where applicable, recognition by licensing and regulatory bodies and relevant accrediting or professional bodies will be required.
- Applied baccalaureate degree programs will build on the existing strengths and expertise of the institution.
- Industry (relevant employer sectors) will be involved in all stages of program development.
- Credits achieved through existing university transfer programs will be applicable to applied degrees to the extent that the credits relate to identified competencies relevant to the applied degree.
- Ongoing evaluation will include employment outcomes for graduates, impact on certificate and diploma programs, and responsiveness to industry needs.
Applied Baccalaureate Degrees in Colleges will:
- Include advanced studies with a depth and breadth of theory and practice beyond the two year diploma or associate degree level, in career, technical, or professional fields.
- Prepare graduates to meet a labour market need identified by industry.
- Not include general Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degrees.
- Incorporate generic educational goals (e.g., comprehension and appreciation of knowledge, creative expression, analytical, critical and strategic thought, coherent communication, etc.).
- Provide multiple entry and exit options for learners.
- Normally include 120 to 126 credits. The appropriate structure will be determined by the specific needs of the education program.
- Normally include a work experience term paid by industry, which reflects carefully structured learning.
- Prepare graduates for employment; preparation for graduate studies is not an essential feature of applied degrees. Graduate work may be limited to the specialized area of study of the applied degree unless further undergraduate preparation is obtained.
- To increase access to graduate level programs and to train and retain educated professionals in applied fields throughout the province. Evidence suggests that learners remain in communities where they were trained.
- To increase the post-secondary education system’s capacity to remain responsive to a changing labour market and evolving industry needs.
- To provide expanded opportunities for mid-career learners to acquire the advanced certification requirements for career advancement in leadership roles.
- To enable university colleges and provincial institutes to remain relevant and competitive within the expanding spectrum of available post-secondary education options.
- Focus on an advanced level of employment related practices and knowledge directly linked to labour market need.
- Include an appropriate program structure with a balance between theory and practical instruction, and a level of intellectual challenge comparable to existing graduate studies.
- Include content that focuses on an advanced level of expertise in a recognized occupational sector or profession.
- Incorporate an applied focus based on scholarly and creative activities beyond the baccalaureate degree level.
- Respond to industry needs that provide employment opportunities for individuals completing graduate level studies.
- With the implementation of the Degree Authorization Act, a Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) will review new degree proposals from private and public institutions. Public institutions submitting a proposal for a “New Mandate" applied degree (applied baccalaureate degrees offered by a British Columbia public college and applied masters degrees offered by a British Columbia university college or provincial institute) will submit a completed Ministry Review Template to the Ministry prior to, or concurrent with, posting the full program proposal on the Post Secondary Institution Proposal System (PSIPS) website.
- The Ministry Review provides an opportunity to receive feedback on proposed applied degrees prior to committing the time involved to develop a Full Program Proposal (FPP). In cases where the institution submits the Ministry Review Template concurrently with the peer review of the FPP, Ministry approval of the Review Template is required before the FPP proceeds to the DQAB review.
- The purpose of the Ministry Review is to ensure that “new mandate” applied degrees fit within the broader post-secondary education system context and government priorities. The DQAB review of the FPP will concentrate on educational quality.
- The Ministry Review will address the institution’s readiness to offer applied degree programs and will focus on four issues:
- benefits for students;
- impact on the existing certificate and diploma programs offered by the institution;
- extent to which related industries and employers support the intent of the applied degree program and view the program as meeting their needs; and,
- implications of the proposed applied degree for system capacity and coordination.
- No additional funding is anticipated for the delivery of applied baccalaureate or masters degrees.
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