Standard 5.0 – Existence, Monitoring and Communication of Academic Policies and Practices

Effective quality assurance mechanisms ensure the communication and monitoring of established academic policies and practices related to academic issues that support program implementation and delivery, and student achievement of vocational learning outcomes, and demonstrate continuous improvement.

Requirements

A college-wide monitoring and communication system of existing academic policies and practices:

5.1: Ensures that academic policies and procedures regarding: specific pre-and co-requisites; mandatory and optional/elective components in the vocational and non-vocational areas of study; practical/work-based components; advancement in programs and maximum periods for completion; and, alternative entry and exit points, are established for all programs of instruction offered by the college.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.2: Ensures that academic policies and procedures regarding requirements for admission to the program and to courses in the program; provisions for awarding credit towards a credential or exemptions from specific course requirements as a result of cross-crediting, exemptions, transfer credits, and/or recognition for prior learning, are established for all programs of instruction offered by the college.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.3: Ensures that academic policies and procedures regarding instances requiring accommodations; assessment, including provisions for re-assessment and appeals; requirements for awarding the credential (i.e. title of any program or series of courses); and, rules and criteria governing any awarding of merit, distinction, and other grades, are established for all programs of instruction offered by the college.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.4: Ensures that academic policies and procedures regarding formal arrangements with any relevant external body (ies) exists to govern additional credentials, certifications, etc., are established for all programs of instruction offered by the college.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.5: Ensures that academic policies and procedures regarding changes to programs (i.e. courses, vocational learning outcomes) are established for all programs of instruction offered by the college.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.6: Ensures that established academic policies and practices for all programs of instruction offered by the college are published, communicated and applied consistently across all programs of instruction.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).

5.7: Ensures that established academic policies and practices are reviewed and monitored regularly and consistently.

  • Describe the key institutional quality assurance mechanisms used by the college in the components of its quality assurance system and related to this specific standard/requirement.
  • For each mechanism, the narrative must include: the contribution of the mechanism to quality assurance; the key individuals responsible for its implementation; and, a critical assessment on the ability of its mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement in quality (performance in practice).
Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS) 
CQAAP Standards 2015 
Approved by the OCQAS Management Board March 20, 2014 
Revised August 18, 2015