Renewal of course accreditation
Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education Incorporated
TEQSA has determined, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education Incorporated (CPEE) for a period of three years until 13 November 2017:
- Graduate Certificate in Pavement Technology
- Master of Pavement Technology
TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed a condition on the accreditation of the above courses of study:
Condition:
CPEE provide evidence to TEQSA as part of its application to renew accreditation of both courses due in 2017 that it has completed a review of the Master of Pavement Technology course of study. This is to be undertaken by a joint course review panel comprised of three external experts and three CPEE academic staff members:
- The outcomes of the review are to include evidence that the content is drawn from a substantial, coherent and current body of knowledge and scholarship in the field of engineering relevant to pavement technology including recent developments related to leading research at a national and international level.
- The outcomes of the review are to include evidence that the course has an overall coherence and is designed to provide appropriate engagement by students in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the course and units being taught and the expected learning outcomes of study including provision of contemporary research and scholarship resources in the field of pavement technology.
- The curricula vitae of the panel members and details of appropriate terms of reference for the course review are to be provided to TEQSA prior to the review's commencement.
- Following the course review CPEE is to provide copies of the Academic Board minutes showing consideration of the recommendations made; actions proposed to address the review's findings; and timeframes agreed upon for implementation.
Background to Decision
CPEE has submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of two courses of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.
Main Reasons for the Decision
As part of the renewal of accreditation process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by CPEE against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.
TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to CPEE's application for accreditation of the following two courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as CPEE is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.
- Graduate Certificate in Pavement Technology
- Master of Pavement Technology
The broad issues which relate to the courses include:
a) Coherency and currency of course content
b) Course design and documentation
c) Course monitoring and review
In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.
